Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton

Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton

Southampton Old Cemetery, formerly known as The Cemetery by the Common and Hill Lane Cemetery, is a historically significant burial ground that spans 27 acres (11 hectares) of land originally acquired from Southampton Common in 1843. The cemetery was established following an Act of Parliament and opened on 7 May 1846 after the Bishop of Winchester consecrated part of the grounds.

The cemetery features distinct sections for various religious and nonconformist groups. While one area was consecrated for Anglican burials, another was left unconsecrated for Dissenters and agnostics, and a separate part was designated for the Hebrew community. By 1856, Roman Catholics were also allotted a portion of the cemetery for their use.

John Claudius Loudon, a prominent landscaper known for his work on cemeteries like Histon Road Cemetery in Cambridge and Bath Abbey Cemetery, was initially involved in the project. Although Southampton Town Council paid him £37 for his services, they ultimately chose not to use his proposed layout.

The cemetery is home to 60 headstones associated with the RMS Titanic, despite no bodies being returned to Southampton following the disaster. Additionally, there is a memorial to RMS Rhone, which was wrecked in a hurricane off Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands in 1867, leading to the tragic loss of over 120 lives. Today, Southampton Old Cemetery still accommodates 6 to 8 burials annually in existing family plots, serving as a historical reminder of the city’s maritime and social history.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Southampton. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Southampton Old Cemetery on Map

Sight Name: Southampton Old Cemetery
Sight Location: Southampton, England (See walking tours in Southampton)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Southampton, England

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