Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green Cemetery is a cemetery in Kensal Green, London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Inspired by the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and founded by the barrister George Frederick Carden, Kensal Green Cemetery was opened in 1833 and comprises 72 acres of grounds, including two conservation areas, adjoining a canal. Kensal Green Cemetery is home to at least 33 species of bird and other wildlife. This distinctive cemetery has a host of different memorials ranging from large mausoleums housing the rich and famous to many distinctive smaller graves and even includes special areas dedicated to the very young. It has three chapels, and serves all faiths..

The area was immortalised in the lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem "The Rolling English Road" from his book The Flying Inn: "For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen; Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green."

Despite its Grecian-style buildings the cemetery is primarily Gothic in character, due to the high number of private Gothic monuments. Due to this atmosphere, the cemetery was the chosen location of several scenes in movies, notably in Theatre of Blood.

Kensal Green

Coordinates: 51°31′51″N 0°13′29″W / 51.5308°N 0.2248°W / 51.5308; -0.2248

Kensal Green (also known as Kensal Rise) is an area of London, England. It is located on the southern edge of the London Borough of Brent and borders Harlesden to the west, Willesden to the north, Maida Hill and Queens Park to the east and Notting Hill and Wormwood Scrubs to the south. The areas of College Park and Kensal Green Cemetery (which form the southern part of Kensal Green) are located in the London boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea, respectively. It has historically been popular with those working in the creative industries and is characterised by independent boutiques and cafes. The area has transport links and is located close to the site of Old Oak Common.

Location

Kensal Green is a residential area with good transport links to central London, surrounding districts include Willesden Green to the north, Harlesden to the west, Brondesbury and Queens Park to the east and Ladbroke Grove to the south. The names Kensal Green and Kensal Rise are used somewhat interchangeably by non-residents to denote the same district, although residents differentiate between the areas based on proximity to the local tube and railway stations.