Description
Hortus Cemetery was established as a new burial ground for Southall in 1944. The rectangular site is laid out with a grid of paths. A drive leads from the main entrance with a line of ornamental trees to the north; south of the entrance is a formal rose garden. The remainder of the cemetery has little planting other than a few ornamental trees with a screen of cypress trees on three sides separating it from roads or housing. In 1986, the first Muslim burials took place here in a dedicated area.
Practical Information
| Site location | Merrick Road, Southall |
|---|---|
| Postcode | UB2 4BW |
| What3Words | ///lungs.dining.rooms |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Ealing |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - weekdays, 9am weekends. Closing: 4.30pm Nov-Feb; 5.30pm Mar, Oct; 7pm Sep, Apr; 8pm May-Aug. |
| Public Transport | Rail: Southall |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Hortus Cemetery was established as a new burial ground for Southall in 1944. A drive leads from the main entrance of the cemetery with floral beds to the south and to the north a line of ornamental trees; south of the entrance is a rather elaborately laid out formal rose garden with a fan of beds in a semi-circle surrounded by clipped yew hedging and some ornamental conifers, overlooked by a raised paved area with a concrete planter. Otherwise Hortus Cemetery is laid out with grid of paths and little planting other than the odd ornamental tree and no notable tombs to speak of. The eastern half of the cemetery is separated from roads and housing by a screen of cypress trees (Leylandii) on three sides. In 1986, the first Muslim burials took place here in a dedicated area and additional space for Muslim graves was allocated in 2008, arranged in association with the Central Jamia Mosque, the only place in Southall offering a full Muslim burial service.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ128795 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.91 |
| Site Ownership | LB Ealing |
| Site Management | Cemeteries Office |
| Dates | 1944 |
| 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 | Ealing |
| 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
Southall - Norwood UDC purchased the C16th Manor House in 1913, opening the grounds as public gardens. The house was used as council offices until 1965, later leased to Southall Chamber of Commerce. Originally a house called The Wrenns, it was purchased in 1572 and rebuilt as an Elizabethan mansion by Francis Awsiter, remaining in his family until 1821. Henry VIII reputedly planted the Mulberry tree that still exists. Over the years in private ownership the grounds developed and had formal gardens, topiary, orchards, tennis and croquet lawns. Various amenities were laid out in the 1920s/30s, including new gardens, a bowling green and a cottage for the Park Superintendent. Land at the rear became the main council nursery. The overall layout has little changed although some of the features are lost, and the garden now contains a series of hedged areas, an Arts & Crafts sunken garden with pool, flower gardens and a rockery.
Havelock Cemetery opened in 1883 as Southall's parish churchyard was becoming overcrowded. It is named after Sir Henry Havelock, the British army general who was prominent in suppressing the Indian Mutiny of 1857. A mortuary was built in 1895 and a small mortuary chapel in 1896, neither remaining today. It was extended to the north in 1924. The entrance on Church Avenue has cast-iron gates, gate piers and railings, as does the main entrance on Havelock Road. There are a few interesting monuments, a yew walk, and a variety of trees particularly along the Havelock Road boundary, including yew and Cedars near the entrance.
St John's Church Burial Ground surrounds the old parish church of Southall, which was built in 1837/8 and is now a Youth Centre. By the beginning of the C20th, the church had become too small for the needs of its congregation and enlargement of the building was initially considered, building over a section of the graveyard. An alternative scheme went ahead and a new church was built nearby in 1910. There are some good C19th headstones in the secluded churchyard, which is screened from the busy roads by trees and shrubs. Among those buried here are members of the influential Merrick family, after whom Merrick Road is named. Funding through the Mayor's Regeneration Fund Southall Great Streets and GLA's Pocket Parks initiative was awarded in c.2014/5 to restructure the neglected churchyard as a safe and peaceful memorial garden. The church and churchyard were boarded off behind hoarding from 2015 until c.2018 after which the area before the church was re-opened as a paved public open space. The churchyard itself remains behind fencing (2021).