Description
Margravine Cemetery was founded as Hammersmith Cemetery in 1869. It later became known as Hammersmith Old Cemetery when Mortlake Cemetery was opened. north lodge and two chapels, one of which was demolished in 1939 and its position is marked by shrubbery. The cemetery retains its original walls and gateway from Margravine Gardens, and once had two chapels; its octagonal mortuary is now a store. The layout consists of a simple axial drive and turning circle from the west entrance and planting within the cemetery is largely deciduous trees.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Hammersmith Cemetery; Hammersmith Old Cemetery; Margravine Road Cemetery |
|---|---|
| Site location | Margravine Road, Barons Court |
| Postcode | W6 8HA |
| What3Words | ///chips.calm.vibes |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | opens Mon-Sat 9am; Sun 10am; closes 4pm (Nov - Jan); 5pm (Oct/Feb); 6pm (Mar/Sep); 7pm (Aug/Apr); 8pm (May - Jul). Xmas Day 10am-3pm |
| Events | Tree walks |
| Public Transport | Tube: Barons Court (District, Piccadilly). Bus: 190, 211, 220, 295 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Margravine Cemetery is a now managed as public garden, with the old graves grassed over. It was founded as Hammersmith Cemetery in 1869 by Hammersmith Burial Board and laid out by local architect, George Saunders, who designed the Gothic-style north lodge and two chapels, one of which was demolished in 1939 and its position is marked by shrubbery. The octagonal mortuary is now a store. The cemetery has very fine brick walls and gateway from Margravine Gardens. The layout consists of a simple axial drive and turning circle from the west entrance. Planting within the cemetery is largely deciduous trees, with sycamore, lime, poplar and younger specimen trees, and there is beech hedging along many paths. When the cemetery was becoming full, Mortlake Cemetery (q.v.) was established, as a result of which this cemetery was sometimes referred to as Hammersmith Old Cemetery. Interesting memorials include that to bandmaster Tom Brown with a stone cello, and the tomb of Abe Smith, a gold digger in New South Wales who is portrayed in his digger's hut. See Hammersmith Council website Historical Sculptures Search for information on other monuments of note in the cemetery. The cemetery is once again available for burial.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ240782 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 6.53 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Site Management | Environment Department, Cemeteries and Facilities Office |
| Dates | 1869 |
| Designers | George Saunders |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Tomb of George Broad; Tomb of Abraham Smith; Tomb of Frederick Harold Young |
| 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 | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Barons Court CA27 |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space of Borough-wide Importance |
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
Barons Court Garden Triangle is a private garden enclosure for the residents of the surrounding houses that overlook it. The development of 34 houses was built in 1928, designed in the spirit of the Garden City movement. The houses were built in two or three tight phases with two elevational house types.This small housing development represents that short moment before mansion blocks such as the adjacent Gunter Estate's Barons Keep (q.v.) became the preferred type of housing provision. Most of this area was agricultural into the mid C19th until the owner Sir William Palliser began to develop his land. He may have come up with the name Barons Court as a means of attracting potential house buyers.
Hammersmith Flyover was constructed in the 1960s, designed by B Rawlinson of the LCC. As it is only four lanes wide it was possible to cantilever it from a single support. Its construction involved the demolition of a number of buildings including St Paul's National School in Waterloo Street. The land remaining after the construction has been laid down to grass and planted with trees. The open space and the grace of the design of the flyover result in a remarkably open feeling to the area.
The Queen's Club sports ground was first established here in 1886 as the area was being developed for housing. Initially established as a cricket ground, from 1887 the club provided facilities for lawn tennis for which it is now most famous. In 1953 the Lawn Tennis Association purchased the Club. In 2005/6 the Lawn Tennis Association began preparations to move its headquarters to a new National Tennis Centre in Roehampton and in 2006 The Queen's Club was sold to Club Members on a 120-year lease