These pages allow you to explore some of the significant monuments that can be found in the cemetery.
Catacombs
The catacombs were part of Sir William Tite’s original design for the Cemetery Chapels. Both Chapels were provided with catacombs. Together they could accommodate around 3,500 coffins. They were the most expensive place to be buried in the cemetery. See our separate page on the catacombs for further details.
A 3D model of the catacombs has been created and can be seen here.
Listed Monuments
There are 65 listed monuments in the cemetery (seven Grade II*, the rest Grade II), 18 of which are in the Greek enclosure. In addition the entrance arch, railings, gate piers and gates on the south and west sides of the cemetery, and the catacombs are all Grade II listed.
Mausolea
There are 32 surviving mausolea (10 in the Greek Enclosure), and St Stephen’s Mortuary Chapel, also in the Greek Enclosure. In addition there are 5 mausolea that have been lost over the years.
National Lottery Heritage Funded Restoration of Monuments at Risk
“West Norwood Cemetery: A New Beginning” is a National Lottery Heritage Fund project that seeks to conserve the cemetery’s magnificent landscape and architecture, as well as improving facilities and access to increase community use. The major award followed extensive public consultation and a close working partnership with the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery which helped to inform the project proposals. These include the conservation and restoration of historic listed monuments on Historic England’s “At Risk Register”, improved visitor amenities and additional pedestrian access to encourage more use and overall appreciation of this priceless Lambeth asset.
Part of this project was the restoration and repair of 16 monuments on Historic England’s “At Risk Register” and the restoration and repair of St Stephen’s Chapel. The monuments are listed and illustrated on a separate page.
Mausoleum of Xenophon Balli & Family : Grade II : HE list no. 1120820 : Located in the Greek Enclosure, grave 19,003, square 29
St Stephen’s Chapel
St Stephen’s Chapel was commissioned by Stephen and Marietta Ralli in memory of their son Augustus, who died in March 1872 aged 16. See our separate page on the Chapel for further details.
A 3D model of St Stephen’s Chapel has been created and can be seen here.
Other Restoration Projects
In addition to the above, a number of memorials have been restored by the families of the deceased, external sponsors, crowdfunding, Lambeth Council, and monies raised by the Friends. Examples of these include the graves of John Newlands, the Kulukundis graves (in the Greek Enclosure), Charles Alcock, Mrs. Beeton, and Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd, to name but a few.
