Southampton Old Cemetery, (also known as Southampton Common Cemetery and Hill Lane Cemetery), Southampton, England
Record Id: 3013
The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
Following a visit to the seriously overcrowded St Mary's Churchyard by the Public Health Commissioners, in 1843 a Private Bill was introduced giving Southampton Corporation the power to use part of Southampton Common as a cemetery (Southampton Cemetery Act, 1843).
The Town Council employed John Claudius Loudon (1783-1843) to prepare plans for the laying out of the site which he presented in a report in August 1843. Although his drainage scheme was completed, his death in December of that year halted the implementation of his specific design scheme. The Cemeteries Committee decided against the implementation of Loudon's ideas in full and held a competition for a new plan. The winning entry was that of W H Rogers, a local craftsman. In 1844, Rogers, together with Page (a local nurseryman), amended Loudon's designs but retained the overall idea of planting an arboretum/pinetum. On completion, it was considered that the beauty of the grounds, dotted with garden seats, was such that the cemetery, though sacred to contemplation, would become a favourite place of resort.
The cemetery was opened in May 1846, continuing as the town's principal cemetery until 1913. The original 10 acre (4ha) site was extended northwards in 1867 and eastwards in 1886. The total number of burials was over 116,000 by the mid 1980s, since when few burials have taken place although the cemetery remains (1999) in use.
Site timeline
1843 to 1844: The laying out of the cemetery is halted due to the death of J C Loudon, and new plans are invited.
07/05/1846: The cemetery is opened.
1867: The cemetery is extended northwards.
1886: The cemetery is extended eastwards.
People associated with this site
Architect: Frederick John Francis (born 1818 died 1896)
Designer: John Claudius Loudon (born 08/04/1783 died 14/12/1843)
Features
boundary wall
Brick and coursed-rubble western boundary wall which has a red-brick coping and piers set at regular intervals along its length.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
gateway
Feature created: 1880
A gateway decorated with a shield bearing the arms of Southampton.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
gate lodge
Feature created: 1848 to 1882
A lodge (dated 1848 and 1882). This is in the Tudor style with a gabled porch and was possibly designed by J and J Francis.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
War memorial
Memorial to Belgian soldiers of the First World War.
entrance
There is an entrance leading directly from the Common into the north-west corner of the cemetery through a pair of gates.
tomb
The graves include a number of notable memorials (some linked with Southampton's maritime history, including a significant number of those lost on the Titanic).
specimen tree
The whole area is ornamented with a fine variety of specimen trees, amongst which evergreen and 'weeping' varieties predominate.
walk
Two formal straight walks cross the site.
© Copyright Parks and Gardens Data Services Ltd. 2007