Description
Willesden Local Board purchased this land in 1888 for Willesden New Cemetery. The cemetery opened 1891 and was so-named to distinguish it from the burial ground at St Mary's Willesden, which then became known as Willesden Old Cemetery. The cemetery was simply laid out with straight paths and originally had a pair of chapels, now demolished. It has an unusually sylvan character with its many trees. Willesden Civilian War Memorial, was erected to commemorate local people who died in WWII.
Practical Information
| Site location | Franklyn Road, Willesden |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW10 9TE |
| What3Words | ///trials.school.frogs |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Brent |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 9am - 4pm (Jan/Feb/Nov/Dec) - 5pm (Oct) - 6pm (Mar) - 7pm (April, Sept) - 8pm (May - August).. |
| Facilities | Toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Dollis Hill (Jubilee). Bus: 260, 266, 297. |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Willesden Local Board purchased c.10.5 hectares of land in 1888 for Willesden New Cemetery, which opened 1891, so called to distinguish it from the burial ground at St Mary's Willesden (q.v.) which then became known as Willesden Old Cemetery. £20,000 was spent on the purchase and laying out of the ground and a pair of 'unique Pont Street Dutch' chapels was erected, designed by Mr C H Worley, now demolished. The layout of paths in the cemetery is simple and straight, but it has an unusually sylvan character deriving from the preponderance and density of deciduous planting. Among the trees are horse chestnut, Lombardy and hybrid poplar, willow and a circus of horse chestnut. There was once a lime walk to the Willesden Civilian War Memorial, which was erected in tribute to local people who died in WWII.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ217844 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 10.53 |
| Site Ownership | LB Brent |
| Site Management | Cemeteries and Mortuaries Service |
| Dates | 1891 |
| 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 | Brent |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II - see note |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Nature Conservation Area: included with Roundwood Park, Willesden New Cemetery and Liberal Jewish Cemetery |
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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The United Synagogue Cemetery at Willesden was founded in 1873 and laid out to a design by Nathan Joseph. Originally a site of c.9 acres it has been extended subsequently and now covers c. 8.5 hectares. It is entered through imposing gates, with brick piers and a substantial lodge; within the cemetery is good planting of trees including horse chestnuts, poplars, cedar. Many distinguished Jews are buried here and some of the plots have railed enclosures with extravagant metalwork and fine marble and granite. In 2015 the cemetery was awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to undertake restoration works, and in 2017 it was listed Grade II on HE's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Interest.
The United Synagogue Cemetery at Willesden was founded in 1873 and laid out to a design by Nathan Joseph. Originally a site of c.9 acres it has been extended subsequently and now covers c. 8.5 hectares. It is entered through imposing gates, with brick piers and a substantial lodge; within the cemetery is good planting of trees including horse chestnuts, poplars, cedar. Many distinguished Jews are buried here and some of the plots have railed enclosures with extravagant metalwork and fine marble and granite. In 2015 the cemetery was awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to undertake restoration works, and in 2017 it was listed Grade II on HE's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Interest.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Roundwood Park opened in May 1895 on land which was once known as Hunger Hill Common Field, formerly part of the Roundwood House Estate. Roundwood House was built in c.1836 to the south of the present park; it was owned by the Furness family from 1856-1936. In 1892 c.13 hectares of estate lands were sold to Willesden Local Board for a public park, in response to public pressure as the area became built up. Its design included path layout, planting of thousands of trees and shrubs, a mock-Tudor lodge, children's gymnasium, greenhouses and a bandstand and flagstaff at the highest point; at the entrance were fine wrought-iron gates and railings.
Roundwood Park opened in May 1895 on land which was once known as Hunger Hill Common Field, formerly part of the Roundwood House Estate. Roundwood House was built in c.1836 to the south of the present park; it was owned by the Furness family from 1856-1936. In 1892 c.13 hectares of estate lands were sold to Willesden Local Board for a public park, in response to public pressure as the area became built up. Its design included path layout, planting of thousands of trees and shrubs, a mock-Tudor lodge, children's gymnasium, greenhouses and a bandstand and flagstaff at the highest point; at the entrance were fine wrought-iron gates and railings.
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue was founded in 1911, and opened this cemetery in 1914 as the Liberal Jewish and Belsize Square Cemetery. At the entrance are iron gates on brick piers and a brick lodge, now the Cemetery Keeper's house, has a roadway leading to the plain red brick chapel in front of which is a circular War Memorial surrounded by curving paths. There is good planting within the cemetery, privet hedges, lawns and shrubbery beds, and a Holocaust Memorial.
