Description
Enfield Crematorium was opened by the Tottenham and Wood Green Burial Board in 1938, and the landscaping of its grounds forms a cohesive whole with the main buildings, which include a pair of chapels connected by a triple-arched arcade. An avenue of horse chestnuts leads from the entrance lodge; formal gardens were created to the east of the crematorium, while a more informal Garden of Remembrance to the north west. A yew-lined approach from Great Cambridge Road is flanked by a series of hedged and walled geometrical gardens.
Practical Information
| Site location | Great Cambridge Road, Enfield Wash |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EN1 4DS |
| What3Words | ///ships.large.entertainer |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Enfield |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8.30am to 6pm |
| Public Transport | Rail: Turkey Street. Bus: 217, 317, 310, 311 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Enfield Crematorium was opened by the Tottenham and Wood Green Burial Board in 1938, a remarkable comprehensively designed 1930s crematorium and gardens with two red-brick gabled and pan-tiled chapels connected by a triple-arched arcade and either side of a central clock tower designed by Sir Guy Dawber, Wilson & Fox. There is an avenue of horse chestnut trees from the Lodge at the entrance and a war memorial. To the north-west is little more than a lawn-style Garden of Remembrance with many flowering cherries, but formal gardens and landscaping were created to the east of the Crematorium. Either side of the yew-lined approach from Great Cambridge Road are a series of hedged and walled geometrical gardens, paved walks and shelters in brick in keeping with the main building. The only anachronism is a pair of (mock) C19th urns in one of the gardens. Some gardens are extensively landscaped with ornamental beds, ponds, shrubs and trees, rock gardens and various rose gardens. Trees and shrubs are planted throughout, with the area behind the buildings more open with gravestones among grass.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ348985 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Haringey |
| Site Management | LB Haringey Cemeteries Board |
| Dates | 1938 |
| Designers | Sir Guy Dawber & A. R. Fox |
| 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 | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| 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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Myddelton House was built in 1818 for Henry Carrington Bowles, last Governor of the New River Company. It is named after Sir Hugh Myddelton, architect of the New River, and traces of the Enfield Loop remain in the gardens. In 1852 the property was inherited by Henry Carrington Treacher on condition he changed his surname to Bowles; his son E. A. Bowles lived here and from the 1890s was largely responsible for the magnificent gardens although the overall design, paths and much structural planting pre-dates his work. One-time Vice President of the RHS, he was an authority on certain plants and author of a number of books. After his death in 1954 the property transferred to the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine and University of London's School of Pharmacy until 1968 when it was purchased by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority as their headquarters, the School of Pharmacy retaining kitchen gardens and the Royal Free retaining fields.
Myddelton House was built in 1818 for Henry Carrington Bowles, last Governor of the New River Company. It is named after Sir Hugh Myddelton, architect of the New River, and traces of the Enfield Loop remain in the gardens. In 1852 the property was inherited by Henry Carrington Treacher on condition he changed his surname to Bowles; his son E. A. Bowles lived here and from the 1890s was largely responsible for the magnificent gardens although the overall design, paths and much structural planting pre-dates his work. One-time Vice President of the RHS, he was an authority on certain plants and author of a number of books. After his death in 1954 the property transferred to the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine and University of London's School of Pharmacy until 1968 when it was purchased by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority as their headquarters, the School of Pharmacy retaining kitchen gardens and the Royal Free retaining fields.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Forty Hall was built by Sir Nicholas Raynton between 1629-36, at the top of the hill south of Elsyng Palace, which existed here by the C14th. The Palace become the property of the Crown in 1539, popular due to its proximity to the royal deer park of Enfield Chase. Elizabeth and Edward stayed here as children. Known as Little or New Park, the estate was eventually sold by Charles I and became part of the Forty Hall Estate in 1656 when Raynton's great-nephew purchased the land that held the remains of the Palace, laid out the park and extended the grounds. The estate changed hands many times and in 1895 was sold to H Carrington Bowles for his eldest son who owned Myddelton House. It remained in that family until 1951 when it was purchased by Enfield UDC who subsequently opened the grounds to the public and in 1962 began restoring the Hall and outbuildings. The house is surrounded by 4 hectares of ornamental grounds, the fragmentary remains of the C17th garden overlaid with C18th and later developments. There is a small pet cemetery in the shrubbery near the lake, where pets belonging to the Bowles family were buried.
Forty Hall was built by Sir Nicholas Raynton between 1629-36, at the top of the hill south of Elsyng Palace, which existed here by the C14th. The Palace become the property of the Crown in 1539, popular due to its proximity to the royal deer park of Enfield Chase. Elizabeth and Edward stayed here as children. Known as Little or New Park, the estate was eventually sold by Charles I and became part of the Forty Hall Estate in 1656 when Raynton's great-nephew purchased the land that held the remains of the Palace, laid out the park and extended the grounds. The estate changed hands many times and in 1895 was sold to H Carrington Bowles for his eldest son who owned Myddelton House. It remained in that family until 1951 when it was purchased by Enfield UDC who subsequently opened the grounds to the public and in 1962 began restoring the Hall and outbuildings. The house is surrounded by 4 hectares of ornamental grounds, the fragmentary remains of the C17th garden overlaid with C18th and later developments. There is a small pet cemetery in the shrubbery near the lake, where pets belonging to the Bowles family were buried.
Albany Park opened in 1902, laid out on former farmland and allotments that were purchased by Enfield UDC and Trinity College Cambridge. Further additions of land were made to the park in 1921, 1926 and 1935 when it reached its current size, this last parcel of 4.75 acres procured by Enfield Borough Council with the help of a grant of £1,100 from the King George's Fields Foundation. In WWII, the railings on Bell Lane were removed for the war effort and the park was used for growing vegetables.
