Brompton Cemetery, London

In Cities, Days Out, London, Our Journeys, Trip-Types, UK Travel by Janis2 Comments

Amongst Heroines & Heroes…

As I continue my slightly unusual fascination with cemeteries near and far, this time it led me to one of London’s celebrated Magnificent Seven cemeteries—Brompton Cemetery, to be precise. Tucked away in west London, it’s a place that feels wonderfully detached from the modern city, offering quiet reflection just beyond the busy streets.

Brompton Cemetery was established in 1840, one of seven large private cemeteries created during the 19th century to address the severe overcrowding of London’s inner-city burial grounds. These grand cemeteries were designed not only as final resting places, but also as landscaped spaces for contemplation and remembrance. Perhaps the most famous of the seven is Highgate Cemetery—and yes, that one is firmly on my list to visit too.

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This image captures a view within Brompton Cemetery, where weathered gravestones are nestled among lush, overgrown greenery. The scene includes a mix of Celtic crosses and other monuments, creating a serene yet aged atmosphere.
Overgrown in places
Some folks do find it strange that I enjoy wandering along mysterious pathways between crumbled headstones and neglected graves, but the history that can be found amongst the overgrown ivy is incredible.
This close-up shot features a weathered stone monument in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, topped with a bronze sculpture of two winged cherubs holding a basin. The pedestal bears an inscription "In Beloved Memory of ALBERT EMILE SCHLOSS," detailing his birth and death dates.
Ornate headstones
Noble persons, heroes, rich and poor, all rubbing shoulders with each other and all once had a story to tell.
This image shows a somber scene within Brompton Cemetery in the United Kingdom, with several carrion crows, perched on weathered gravestones scattered across a ground covered in fallen leaves and damp grass. The atmosphere is muted under an overcast sky, typical of a historic Victorian cemetery.
Ravens amongst the graves

I must admit this isn’t something I would enjoy doing after dark!!!

When we arrived on a cold, wet January Sunday morning, Gary was with me every step of the way; however, as the rain turned to sleet and then light snow, the smiles were gradually waning. But not to be defeated, we discovered some intriguing stories and would love to share them with you.

This wide shot captures a rain-soaked pathway winding through Brompton Cemetery in the United Kingdom on an overcast day. Elaborate headstones and monuments stand on either side of the reflective path, framed by bare trees and patches of green grass.
A damp day in Brompton Cemetery

Where is Brompton Cemetery?

How to get to Brompton Cemetery

- By Train
The nearest station to Brompton Cemetery is West Brompton, which is an underground station on the District Line & national rail. This is a just a 2 minute walk from the North entrance.

Suffragette Legacy at Brompton Cemetery

Emmeline Pankhurst – Champion of Women’s Rights
Emmeline Pankhurst is undoubtedly Brompton Cemetery’s most famous resident. A tireless campaigner for women’s suffrage, her courage and determination helped shape the rights women enjoy today.
This image captures a detailed, weathered Celtic cross monument in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, adorned with intricate carvings and standing on a stone base. A small purple pot of flowers rests at the foot of the cross, surrounded by fallen leaves and other gravestones in the background.
The grave of Emmeline Pankhurst
Her grave is surprisingly modest. Without seeking it out deliberately, many visitors might pass it by — a quiet reminder that even history’s most influential figures don’t always rest beneath grand monuments.

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Sporting Legends and Victorian Icons

“Gentleman” Jackson – Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champion
John Jackson, known as “Gentleman Jackson,” was a celebrated bare-knuckle pugilist of the late 18th century. After becoming Champion of England, he founded a boxing academy that attracted members of the nobility.
This close-up shot shows an ornate, weathered stone monument in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, featuring a reclining lion sculpture on top. Below the lion, the monument is adorned with a carved face surrounded by foliage, and the base is composed of large, aged stone blocks.
John Jackson's tomb
When he died in 1845, friends and admirers funded an impressive monument costing around £400 — a considerable sum at the time — topped with a striking stone lion that still commands attention today.

Tempted to visit Bromptom Cemetery?

For a little more information before your visit, including opening times, accessibility details, guided walks, and the history of the cemetery, take a look at the Royal Parks website, which provides the most up-to-date and official guidance for planning your time at Brompton Cemetery.

Victoria Cross Heroes Buried at Brompton Cemetery

Reginald Alexander John Warneford VC
One headstone that truly stood out was that of Reginald Alexander John Warneford, etched with the image of an airship.
This image shows the gravestone of Flight-Sub-Lieutenant Reginald Alexander John Warneford VC in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom. The stone features a portrait, inscriptions detailing his service and death in 1915, and a relief carving of an airship being attacked, with a wreath of poppies and blue flowers laid at its base.
The grave of Reginald Alexander John Warneford
A Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service, Warneford was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery but tragically died aged just 23. He is one of only twelve VC recipients buried at Brompton Cemetery — individuals recognised for extraordinary valour in battle.

Opera, Art and Cultural Figures

Blanche Roosevelt – Opera Singer and Writer
Blanche Roosevelt was an American opera singer, author, and journalist who performed with the renowned D’Oyly Carte Opera Company before forming her own troupe.
This eye-level shot shows the memorial statue of Blanche Roosevelt Macchetta in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, on a wet day. The bronze statue depicts a woman holding a rose, standing atop a stone pedestal with inscriptions detailing her life.
The last resting place of Blanche Roosevelt
Her impressive statue stands proudly along Main Avenue. Later in life, she lived in the south of France, where a serious accident involving a horse-drawn carriage left her badly injured. She never fully recovered and died aged 45 after returning to London.

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Packed full of historical facts, and broken down into the different regions of London, it's a great resource to help you see what's hidden in plain sight.

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I never knew that about London Cover

Military Memorials at Brompton Cemetery

The Military Garden
Although war graves are scattered throughout the cemetery, Brompton also features a dedicated Military Garden.
This wide shot shows a section of Brompton Cemetery in the United Kingdom under a cloudy sky, featuring a large stone cross monument surrounded by numerous smaller, weathered headstones on a grassy area with fallen leaves. Bare trees stand in the background, adding to the solemn atmosphere of the Victorian-era cemetery.
The military section at Brompton Cemetery
This railed and gated section contains headstones of varying sizes, many engraved with age, rank, and regiment. Walking through this area is a deeply moving experience and a powerful reminder of sacrifice.

Chelsea Pensioners Memorial

Royal Hospital Chelsea Veterans
Royal Hospital Chelsea maintains a special area within Brompton Cemetery for retired British Army veterans.
This image shows the Chelsea Pensioners Memorial in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, a tall, ornate monument dedicated to the advanced class pensioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea between 1855 and 1893. The memorial features intricate carvings, inscriptions, and is surrounded by cannonballs at its base, set against a backdrop of bare trees and other gravestones.
Chelsea Pensioners monument
An obelisk stands in memory of the Chelsea Pensioners buried here, honouring their service and lifelong commitment to the armed forces.

One-of-a-Kind Memorials

Frederick Richards Leyland Monument
Another striking memorial belongs to Frederick Richards Leyland, a ship owner and renowned art collector.
This wide shot shows a pathway winding through Brompton Cemetery in the United Kingdom on an overcast day, lined with various aged gravestones and monuments, some enclosed by ornate iron railings. In the background, bare trees frame a distant view of city buildings and the cemetery's chapel dome.
Frederick Richards Leyland's tomb
Designed by Edward Burne-Jones, this funerary monument is Grade II listed and is the only listed monument within Brompton Cemetery — making it truly unique.

Doctors, Rowers and Unusual Stories

Dr Benjamin Golding – Founder of Charing Cross Hospital
Benjamin Golding rests at the northern end of Main Avenue.
This image shows the weathered stone family tomb of Benjamin Golding M.D. in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, on a rainy day. The mausoleum features a heavy, ornate wooden door and inscriptions on the stone facade, with bare trees visible against the overcast sky in the background.
Dr Benjamin Golding's tomb
His legacy lives on through Charing Cross Hospital, which he founded to provide medical care regardless of wealth.

Robert Coombes – Champion Sculler

Robert Coombes trained crews for the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
This image shows a weathered, multi-sided stone monument in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, featuring carved figures in niches on each side and inscriptions detailing the deceased. The monument stands on a wet ground, surrounded by other gravestones and bare trees under an overcast sky.
Robert Coombes' memorial
Despite sporting success, he later fell into poverty. Friends funded his distinctive tomb at Brompton, though sadly it has since been vandalised.

Colonnades, Catacombs and Victorian Grandeur

Architectural Ambition and Remembrance at Brompton Cemetery
As you walk along Brompton Cemetery’s grand Main Avenue, flanked by sweeping colonnades and the imposing catacombs, there’s an immediate sense of Victorian confidence and ceremony. This was never meant to be a simple burial ground; Brompton was designed as a statement, where architecture, memory, and social standing were carefully expressed in stone.
This image shows a close-up of the grave of Maria Lazarevna Glukhareff Provetoroff in Brompton Cemetery. The dark stone features a prominent, ornate green cross and inscriptions in Cyrillic script.
Many nationals rest here
The symmetry of the colonnades creates a formal processional route towards the central chapel, lending the cemetery an almost theatrical presence. Many of the memorials here are substantial and ornate, reflecting the wealth and aspirations of those laid to rest. Classical columns, carved angels, and symbolic motifs reveal a fascination with legacy, eternity, and the afterlife.
This image shows a weathered, upright gravestone in Brompton Cemetery, UK, surrounded by other graves and greenery. The inscription on the stone is partially visible, indicating it is a memorial.
Sacred places
This close-up shot shows a weathered gravestone in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, with a bronze relief panel at the top depicting figures. The stone bears inscriptions "IN LOVING MEMORY OF HORACE LOT BRASS" and details for other family members.
An Art Deco memorial
The catacombs add a quieter drama. Built as an above-ground resting place, they combined practicality with prestige, appealing to families seeking permanence and distinction. Though not all are accessible today, their shadowed entrances contrast strikingly with the open lawns and wide skies beyond.
This is a close-up shot of a dark, ornate gravestone in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom. The stone features a bronze relief of an angel and an inscription below commemorating Eliza Ann, the beloved wife of Alfred Pettitt, who died in 1896 at the age of 38.
An ornamental headstone
This close-up shot shows a broken and weathered gravestone in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, amidst fallen leaves and cut tree branches. The dark, fractured stone bears a partially legible inscription commemorating "HENRY RICHARD ASH" who "DEPARTED THIS LIFE" in 1871.
Lost to time

Interspersed among these grand monuments are more delicate and artistic memorials, including elegant Art Nouveau headstones and finely crafted sculptures. Together they form an open-air museum of Victorian taste, belief, and remembrance.

It’s little wonder that with such dramatic architecture and timeless atmosphere, Brompton Cemetery has also found a second life on the silver screen.

Brompton Cemetery on the Silver Screen

Famous Films Shot at Brompton Cemetery, London
With its sweeping avenues, grand colonnades, and unmistakable Victorian drama, it’s little surprise that Brompton Cemetery has become a sought-after filming location in London. The cemetery’s formal layout, combined with its quiet, slightly eerie atmosphere, makes it an ideal backdrop for period dramas, thrillers, and emotionally charged scenes.
Impressive Victorian tombs and classically styled features of Brompton Cemetery, in London, have appeared in many movies.
A timeless place
Much of the filming takes place around the central chapel and the iconic arched roundel, where symmetry, scale, and shadow translate beautifully on screen. These locations lend Brompton Cemetery a timeless quality, allowing it to double as historic London or even continental Europe.
This image shows a long, colonnaded building with classical architectural elements in Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom, under an overcast sky. A paved pathway runs alongside a grassy area with scattered gravestones, leading towards a domed structure with a cross in the distance.
Quiet walkways
This image shows a long, covered walkway, likely a colonnade, at Brompton Cemetery in the United Kingdom. The walkway features a series of arched openings supported by brick and stone pillars, leading towards an open area with gravestones visible in the distance under a diffused light.
The stone colonnades
One of the most recognisable productions to feature the cemetery is Sherlock Holmes, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jude Law alongside Robert Downey Jr. The cemetery’s monumental architecture helped recreate a brooding, 19th-century London. Brompton also appeared in Finding Neverland, where its elegant setting added emotional weight to key scenes.
This eye-level shot shows a grand, classical-style mausoleum at Brompton Cemetery in the United Kingdom under a cloudy sky. The structure features arched alcoves, a central domed tower, and a gated entrance leading down a short flight of steps, surrounded by weathered stone and some greenery.
Grand designs

Fans of modern action cinema may recognise the grounds from Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, where the cemetery’s calm geometry contrasts sharply with high-stakes drama. At the lighter end of the spectrum, Brompton features in the deliberately over-the-top funeral scene in Johnny English, showcasing its versatility as both a serious and comedic location.

The cemetery also appears in the James Bond film GoldenEye, further cementing its place in cinematic history.

The Main Avenue, Brompton Cemetery, historic london, magnificent seven cemetery, things to see in london
The Main Avenue - Brompton Cemetery
For visitors, there’s a quiet thrill in recognising these filming locations while wandering the grounds. One moment you’re enjoying a peaceful walk through one of London’s most atmospheric cemeteries; the next, you realise you’re standing on the set of some truly iconic scenes — a perfect blend of history, architecture, and popular culture.

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Comments

  1. Reply

    So glad to find your photos of Brompton Cemetery. I was there last year in December 2024 on a wintry day but the sun was shining and the sky was blue. I loved wandering through looking at the angels and reading the inscriptions on the tombstones. I took large amounts of photos but sadly they disappeared into the ether when I tried to download them onto my computer.
    It was lovely looking at your photos and seeing again some of the ones that interested me.

    1. Author
      Reply

      Hi Jude,

      Thanks for your lovely comment.

      I must admit I love strolling around old cemeteries, there are so many fascinating stories behind each and every name, the history is incredible.

      Thanks
      Janis

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