The Old Burial Ground, Dulwich

The Old Burial Ground in Dulwich Village is closed to the public but the recent cutting down of trees and shrubs around the perimeter means that passers-by are now able to have a good view inside. It contains many Grade II listed tomb chests that predominantly date from the late 18th century and early 19th century. The decorative wrought iron entrance gates dated 1728 together with the railings and boundary walls are also Grade II listed

It was consecrated on the same day as Christ’s Chapel of God’s Gift, 1 September 1616,* Edward Alleyn’s 50th  birthday.  The ceremony was performed by George Abbott, the Archbishop of Canterbury.  In his request that the church and burial ground be consecrated, Alleyn stated that St Giles in Camberwell, the nearest church, was two miles away and he and his family found it difficult, especially in winter and when it rained, to travel to St Giles in good time to attend divine service. There was also a plot of land which he wanted to set aside as a burial place for those who died within the hamlet of Dulwich.  

From the time the burial ground was consecrated, many thousands were buried there until it was closed for further burials in 1856 as, despite being twice enlarged, the graveyard was full.  35 residents of Dulwich who were victims of the Great Plague were buried there in 1665, Old Bridget, Queen of the Gipsies was buried there in 1768, and murder victim Samuel Matthews, the ‘Hermit of Dulwich’ who lived in a cave in Dulwich Woods, was buried there in 1802.