Description
Rippleside Cemetery is a large cemetery set up by Barking Parish Burial Board. It was opened in 1886, the first burial taking place in October of that year. The original C19th Lodge, gates and some original railings remain, together with the chapel, where the most impressive monuments are found. The grounds were well planted, and contain notable cedars, holly, yew, laurel and bay. The burial ground was extended to the east in c.1950. Today the cemetery has memorial and lawn-grave sections, a dedicated children's area and a memorial garden.
Practical Information
| Site location | Ripple Road, Barking, Essex |
|---|---|
| Postcode | IG11 9PF |
| What3Words | ///state.bags.tunes |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Barking & Dagenham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 1 Oct-31 Mar: M-F 10-4.30; S/S/BH 10-4; 1 Apr-30 Sept: M-F 10-7; S/S/BH 10-6 |
| Facilities | Toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Upney (District; Hammersmith & City). Bus: 62, 287, 368. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This large cemetery was proposed in 1884 for the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Margaret's, Barking. The original 12-acre site was purchased by the Barking Parish Burial Board and the Vestry provided £6,000 for laying out the grounds and building a chapel. The C19th Lodge Chapel and the gates and railings were designed by local architect Charles James Dawson, who described the style he adopted as 'characteristic of the historical part of Barking' (quoted in Meller). Dawson designed other buildings in Barking and planned Barking Park (q.v.). He was buried here in 1933. The grounds were well planted, with notable cedars, holly, yew, laurel and bay. The cemetery was opened in 1886, with the first burial taking place in October of that year. It was taken over by the Urban District Council in 1897. The most impressive monuments are near the chapel, and incude a marble triptych to Margaret Gow (d.1929) and family grave of the Kelly family. Six people who died in an explosion on 12 January 1899 at Hewett's works in Barking are buried here. The site was extended at its eastern end in c.1950. Today the cemetery has memorial and lawn-grave sections, dedicated children's area and a memorial garden.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ461839 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 5 |
| Site Ownership | LB Barking & Dagenham |
| Site Management | Cemeteries Office |
| Dates | 1886, extended 1950s |
| 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 | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | New Open Space |
Gallery
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
Eastbury is an Elizabethan Manor House built as a country residence for a wealthy merchant. The Manor dates back to at least the C14th when it belonged to Barking Abbey. From the early C18th onwards the estate was divided and the house gradually became dilapidated, occupied by a succession of tenant farmers. In 1913/14 the estate was broken up for building development. The house and immediate grounds, now the focus of a residential square built in the 1920s, was purchased by the National Trust in 1918 and later leased to Barking Borough Council. In the C18th the gardens comprised a west walled garden and two small plots to north and west of the house, both probably once enclosed, and an orchard to the south. The garden to the east is enclosed by C18th and C19th brick walls. Many of the original features have been restored, including the walled garden, in which 'bee-boles' can be seen in the walls.
The site was originally provided as open space for the Thames View Estate in the 1950s, but was transformed into its current form in 1999/2001 as part of the A13 Artscape Project. Artist Rob Kesseler was commissioned to design the new park, who developed his ideas in consultation with the community, entitling the project 'Turning over a New Leaf'. The layout includes planting of 11 different tree species, sculpted mounds, play areas and meandering paths, and with colour used to create interest.
Mayesbrook Park was created to provide open space for Becontree Housing Estate built by London County Council, who presented the site to Barking Council in 1934. The extensive plans for its layout were only partially carried out, but its facilities included football, cricket and hockey pitches, putting green and lawn tennis courts, a boating lake, pavilions, bandstand and some formal planting. During WWII the park provided temporary army accommodation. Since the 1930s the park has been replanted and reconfigured, with new sports facilities in the northern part, including an Athletic Track.
