Description
The cemetery was laid out in c1914 by a private company, with the first burial recorded in 1916. There is a brick chapel, but the cemetery lodge has since been demolished. It was purchased in 1958/60 by Dagenham Borough Council and renamed Eastbrook End Cemetery. It is now within the new Eastbrookend Country Park. It is unusual in having an apiary in the grounds.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Becontree Park Cemetery, Ilford Park Cemetery |
|---|---|
| Site location | The Chase, off Dagenham Road, Dagenham, Essex |
| Postcode | RM7 0YU |
| What3Words | ///kite.lawn.farm |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Barking & Dagenham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Mon-Fri 10-4.30 (Oct-Mar) / 7 (Apr-Sept). Sat, Sun, BH: 10-4 Oct-Mar) / 6 (Apr-Sept) |
| Facilities | Toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Dagenham East (District) then bus. Bus 174. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The cemetery was laid out in 1914 by a private company, its brick chapel and lodge (since demolished) completed by September of that year, probably designed by architect John Bannen, who also designed the chapels of Surbiton Cemetery and Streatham Park Cemetery and South London Crematorium (q.q.v.). A local enquiry had been held in 1912 into siting the new cemetery here, which was initially known as Becontree Park Cemetery, then Ilford Park Cemetery. The first burial is recorded in 1916. An area of four acres was consecrated by the Bishop of Barking on 7 April 1923. By the 1920s the cemetery was owned by United Cemeteries Ltd, but it was later purchased by Dagenham Borough Council in 1958/60. It is now within the new Eastbrookend Country Park (q.v.). The cemetery has a garden of rest and, most unusually, an Apiary. There is little planting apart from cherry trees.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ513862 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 4.455 |
| Site Ownership | LB Barking & Dagenham |
| Site Management | Cemeteries Office |
| Dates | 1914 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Barking & Dagenham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Eastbrookend Country Park opened in 1995, created on an area of derelict land previously used for mineral extraction. It contained much inert landfill and was capped with clay, sand, gravel and topsoil in order to create the country park. As much of the original vegetation as possible was retained in order to sustain wildlife. Bisected by Dagenham Road, it lies in part of the Green Belt between LB Barking & Dagenham and LB Havering, and provides an important recreational resource for East London. There are 4 lakes, and the internal path system was designed by Land Use Consultants. In 1997 the Millennium Centre was built, its design demonstrating best practice in environmental construction. It provides an environmentally friendly visitor centre as well as the headquarters for the Park Ranger Service.
Havering Well Garden is a small public garden on the site of a former burial ground for the Independent Church. In 1952 the Trustees of the burial ground conveyed the site to Hornchurch UDC, who were covenanted to lay it out as a garden of rest and register it with the Charity Commissioners. The landscaping consisted of grass with shrubs and trees around the border with a commemorative stone as a centrepiece and two gravestones set into the ground. There were flower beds to the front of the garden and wooden seats were provided.
Harrow Lodge Park is an extensive rolling park, formerly part of the manor of Maylards Green and Wybridge. By the late C16th Maylards house stood near the present boating lakes, but no longer exists. The land was developed for public use in the C20th; 60 acres were used for food production during WWII after which the local Council transformed the site into a public park with tennis courts, a rockery and a miniature golf course among the facilities. An 8.5-acre Boating Lake was formed by damming the River Ravensbourne, with a walled garden nearby. In the early 1960s a Garden for the Blind was created near Harrow Lodge. In the late 1980s Hornchurch Sports Centre was built at the northern end of the park.