Events at Kensal Green Cemetery 2026

Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery invite you to take part in several interesting events at Kensal Green Cemetery in London, United Kingdom.

I.K.Brunel & Railway History Guided Tour

Sunday, 19 April 2026, 2:00 pm

We will visit the Brunel family memorial alongside the graves of other railway engineers and promoters, exploring the story behind the development of the Great Western Railway, which runs just south of the cemetery.

The tour begins at the main pedestrian entrance on Harrow Road, near the junction with Ladbroke Grove. It will last approximately two hours and conclude at the Dissenters’ Chapel, where hot drinks will be served followed by a Q&A session.

Book your place at www.kensalgreen.co.uk.

St. Helena to Kensal Green Exploring Napoleon’s Final Chapter

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 10:30 am

Kensal Green Cemetery is the final resting place of many veterans of the Battle of Waterloo, the conflict that marked Napoleon’s ultimate defeat. It also contains the grave of the Admiral who transported Napoleon to St Helena, along with at least three others who encountered him during his exile there.

The day will begin with a talk exploring these historical events, followed by lunch and a guided tour of the cemetery, visiting the graves of those who witnessed these dramatic moments in history.

Book your place at www.kensalgreen.co.uk.

The Days of Giants: Joseph Locke and his generation of railway pioneers

Sunday, 20 September 2026, 2:00 pm

Joseph Locke is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery and was arguably more influential in shaping the UK’s railway network than Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who is also interred here.

This guided tour explores his achievements alongside those of other railway engineers and promoters who found their final resting place in Kensal Green.

Book your place at www.kensalgreen.co.uk.

Prince George, Master Frederick and the Royal Secrets

Saturday, 14 November 2026, 10:30 am

A talk and guided walk exploring the fascinating story of Frederick Blomberg, the secret son of George III, offering a fresh perspective on the era and the people behind the ceremony, creativity, and drama of the Georgian and early Victorian courts.

Book your place at www.kensalgreen.co.uk.

Among the Angels of Kensal Green

Saturday, 24 April 2027, 10:30 am

A talk and guided walk exploring the symbolism, artistry, and emotional resonance of cemetery angels – from the Victorian celebration of death to their place in modern culture.

Book your place at www.kensalgreen.co.uk.

Highlights Guided Tours: Sundays, 2:00 pm

(Check the website for the available dates)

An introduction to the cemetery, its history, architecture, and development, and to some of the many famous (and infamous) figures buried within this great necropolis.

Book your place at www.kensalgreen.co.uk

*Photo source: www.kensalgreen.co.uk

Events at Kensal Green Cemetery 2025

This summer, the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery invite you to take part in two interesting events at Kensal Green Cemetery in London, United Kingdom.

Brown’s Hotel and Luxury Living Stories at Kensal Green Cemetery

Saturday, 21st June 2025, at 10:30

• 10:30 | Arrivals at the Dissenters Chapel for welcome drinks
• 11:00 – 12:00 | Talk "Brown’s Hotel: London’s oldest luxury hotel – a secret history of rulers, writers and rascals" | Andy Williamson will take us on a walk visiting the final resting place of James Brown and his family, other famous hoteliers and fascinating personalities, who ended up in Kensal Green Cemetery. Learn the connection of Lady Byron with the Brown’s Hotel and many other fascinating stories.
• 12:00 – 13:00 | Buffet Lunch
• 13:00 – 14:30 | Guided tour "Luxury living and fine dining: Hotelkeepers at Kensal Green" | Join Andy Williamson on a walking tour of the cemetery to discover the final resting places of hoteliers, aristocrats, and influential characters of London's high society – including James Brown, founder of Brown’s Hotel. Learn about their extraordinary lives and connections to the world of luxury hospitality. After the tour there will be time for questions and hot drinks.

Tickets:

• General: £25.00
• Concessions: £20.00
• Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery members: £8.00

More information and booking: https://kensalgreen.co.uk/booking.php

Joseph Locke and others - a Tour of Kensal Green Cemetery

Saturday, 9th August 2025, at 14:00

Guided walk at Kensal Green Cemetery, telling the stories of railway engineers and promoters buried here on the 220th anniversary of Joseph Locke's birth.

Tickets:

• General: £12.00
• Concessions: £10.00
• Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery members: Free (booking essential)

More information and booking: https://kensalgreen.co.uk/events.php
Note: Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery members, please book via the members area of the website: https://kensalgreen.co.uk/member-area/

*Photo source: www.kensalgreen.co.uk

Events at Kensal Green Cemetery 2023

This September, the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery are excited to invite you to two events that will take place at the Kensal Green Cemetery in London, United Kingdom.

Victorian Death and Mourning

Tuesday, 5th September 2023, at 19.30

At no other period in British history were there such excesses in funerary pomp at all levels of society as during the nineteenth century. This talk will examine Victorian attitudes to death and consider the associated paraphernalia, including the hearses, mourning dresses and keepsakes.

Robert Stephenson is a tour leader at three Victorian cemeteries and the chairman of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends.

The event will take place at the Dissenter's Chapel of Kensal Green Cemetery, 391 Ladbroke Grove, W10 5AB. Please arrive by the entrance from Ladbroke Grove, which will be open specially for this event.

Doors open at 18.45 pm for refreshments and wine.

This event was to take place at Brompton Cemetery, but the venue was changed to Kensal Green Cemetery.

More information and to book: https://kensalgreen.co.uk/events.php

Napoleonic Stories at Kensal Green Cemetery

Saturday, 23rd September 2023, from 10.30 to 16.00

Guided Walk – Interactive talk and costumed presentation - Refreshments

Kensal Green Cemetery is the last resting place of probably more participants in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars than any other civilian location. Over two hundred members of the army and navy of the time are there, as well as a number of civilian witnesses. We propose an event that would remember them and the turbulent times they lived through.

The event will also cover the social history and culture of the period, including entertainment and the roles of women and families.

A buffet lunch is included.

More information and to book: https://kensalgreen.co.uk/events.php

Please note: where applicable the member discount code is: FoKGC2023
Please enter the code at checkout.

Lectures at Kensal Green Cemetery and a Dickens Fellowship event

Two lectures and a Dickens Fellowship event will take place at Kensal Green Cemetery in June and July 2015. 

Kensal Green Cemetery (London, United Kingdom)

Located in the heart of London traversing the borders of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham is one of London’s oldest and most distinguished public burial grounds.

About the cemetery

Inspired by the cemetery of Père Lachaise in Paris and founded in 1833 by the Barrister George Frederick Carden, Kensal Green Cemetery comprises of 72 acres of beautiful grounds including two conservation areas and an adjoining canal. The cemetery is home to 33 species of bird and other wildlife.

This distinctive cemetery includes many different memorials ranging from large mausoleums housing of rich and famous to many distinctive smaller graves and even includes special areas dedicated to the very young. With three chapels catering for people of all faiths and social standing the General Cemetery Company is proud to have provided a haven in the heart London for over 170 years for its inhabitants. Visitors can remember their loved one in a tranquil and dignified environment.

West London Crematorium and gardens

Kensal Green Cemetery is also the home of the West London Crematorium and its extensive gardens. Here a great variety of memorials can be seen, ranging from Private Gardens exclusively dedicated for individual families to Columbarium Wall Niches able to securely house the ashes of your loved one in marble or wooden caskets undisturbed for decades.

And then there are the Rose gardens: row after row of Rose Trees each one in its own plot, all individually accessible and tended all year round by our gardeners. Even our Rose Bushes are arranged carefully into beds laid out in rows so they too are all individually accessible, something not found in other Memorial Gardens.

*Photo source: www.kensalgreencemetery.com

Contacts

Registered Head Office
The West London Crematorium at Kensal Green
Harrow Road
London

Phone: 020 8969 0152
Fax: 020 8960 9744
Email: info@kensalgreencemetery.com

Opening hours

1st April - 30th September
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 6pm
Sunday: 10am - 6pm

1st October - 31st March
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm

Bank Holidays: 10am - 1pm

The Cemetery opening times are for the Crematorium gate. Main gate closes 30 minutes earlier. Visitors will not be admitted to the Cemetery in the half hour before closing.

Gardens of remembrance
The gardens are open every day of the year including weekends and bank holidays.

How to find us

By car
The entrance to the cemetery is in Harrow Road, only 15 minutes drive from the West End via Edgeware Road, and 5 minutes from M40/Westway via Scrubs Lane.

By train
Kensal Green Station is served by both British Rail (Euston/Watford) and London Underground (Bakerloo tine), Kensal Rise by British Rail, and Ladbroke Grove by Underground Hammersmith & City Line.

By bus
Routes 18 Harrow Road, 302 and 52 Ladbroke Grove/Kilburn Lane.