Description
Edmonton Federation Cemetery was set up in 1889 by the Federation of Synagogues Burial Society on land donated for the purpose by Samuel Montagu, banker, philanthropist and MP, who was a key instigator in establishing the Federation in 1887. Previously called Jeremys Green Lane, Montagu Road was renamed after him. The Federation Cemetery is the largest of the three cemeteries that abut each other here, and is largely devoid of planting. Many prominent rabbis are buried in the western section, including Rabbi Eliezer Gordon from Telz (d.1910); thousands of people attended the addresses in the East End prior to his burial.
Practical Information
| Site location | Montagu Road, Edmonton |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N18 2NF |
| What3Words | ///saints.second.flops |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Enfield |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Private grounds, but open - notice only giving closing time of 5pm (April) |
| Facilities | Toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Tottenham Hale (Victoria) then bus. Rail: Edmonton Green. Bus: 192 |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Edmonton Federation Cemetery was set up in 1889 by the Federation of Synagogues Burial Society. The Federation had been set up in 1887, largely at the instigation of Samuel Montagu (1832-1911), a wealthy banker and philanthropist, who was raised to the peerage as Baron Swaythling in 1907, having become a Baronet in 1894. He was elected Liberal MP for Whitechapel in 1885 and identified the need to unify the numerous small and mostly ill-housed Orthodox congregations and chevras that had grown up in the East End. As a result the Federation of Synagogues was formed as an umbrella organisation for these small groups, and its first burial ground was established in Edmonton. The land for the burial ground was donated by Montagu, at that time located on what was then called Jeremys Green Lane, its name subsequently changed to Montagu Road. Montagu's name was given to a number of street names in Edmonton, and to Montagu Road School, since demolished, and is also recalled in Swaythling Close.
The Edmonton Federation Cemetery is the largest of the three cemeteries that abut each other here, separated from Tottenham Park Cemetery (q.v.) by high concrete fencing and from the Cemetery of the Western Synagogue (q.v.), mainly by chain link fencing. Almost the only planting in the cemetery is a number of Lombardy poplars along the boundary with Tottenham Park Cemetery. Separated by a concrete block wall from Montagu Road, the cemetery entrance consists of non-structural brick 'piers' and a cast-iron gate, with a small brick lodge immediately to the left of the wide tarmac roadway that leads into the cemetery, either side of which and on lightly raised ground are rows of graves laid out in very orderly fashion. The roadway leads to a brick information office and toilet block with tiled roof, and then turns to the left towards the brick prayer building. Many prominent rabbis are buried in the western section, including Rabbi Eliezer Gordon from Telz (d.1910); thousands of people attended the addresses in the East End prior to his burial.
The Edmonton Federation Cemetery is the largest of the three cemeteries that abut each other here, separated from Tottenham Park Cemetery (q.v.) by high concrete fencing and from the Cemetery of the Western Synagogue (q.v.), mainly by chain link fencing. Almost the only planting in the cemetery is a number of Lombardy poplars along the boundary with Tottenham Park Cemetery. Separated by a concrete block wall from Montagu Road, the cemetery entrance consists of non-structural brick 'piers' and a cast-iron gate, with a small brick lodge immediately to the left of the wide tarmac roadway that leads into the cemetery, either side of which and on lightly raised ground are rows of graves laid out in very orderly fashion. The roadway leads to a brick information office and toilet block with tiled roof, and then turns to the left towards the brick prayer building. Many prominent rabbis are buried in the western section, including Rabbi Eliezer Gordon from Telz (d.1910); thousands of people attended the addresses in the East End prior to his burial.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ350930 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Federation of Synagogues Burial Society |
| Site Management | Federation of Synagogues Burial Society |
| Dates | 1889 |
| 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 | Enfield |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Montague Road Cemeteries |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Included in Local Register of Historic Parks and Gardens |
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
Tottenham Park Cemetery is a small private burial ground dating from 1912, which was originally established as a paupers' cemetery. A central drive lined with trees leads to the original brick Gothic chapel, since disused. It remains privately owned and is now particularly used for Muslim burials.The Friends of Tottenham Park Cemetery was set up in the early 1990s and has undertaken conservation works including a series of stepped wooden trellises with associated planting and seats.
The Western Synagogue was established in 1761 and the Cemetery in Montagu Road opened in 1884 as its second cemetery. The land was initially owned by the Federation of Synagogues whose adjacent Edmonton Federation Cemetery opened in 1889. A portion of the land was sold to the Western Synagogue for its own, smaller cemetery. There are neat ranks of headstones, and a main path leads through the graves, but there are no buildings.
Angel Community Garden, previously a derelict and inaccessible space, was turned into a new park in 2015 and was opened as Angel Gardens.The community garden was created through the Pocket Park funding initiative and allows for food growing and sharing. In addition to the community garden, by the end of 2015 the park facilities included a sensory play area; younger children’s play area; a ‘free running’ course, ‘Container Play’, the creation of a natural play area, a skateboard and BMX area and a space for art projects, as well as new landscaping and tree planting, new footpath and cycleway.