A Train to Woking’ is an original play, based on the history of the London Necropolis Railway; exploring grief, loss and human connection. Find out how you can support the production of this film by watching the video below and visiting their crowd funding page.
Conifers have long been planted in Church yards and cemeteries, such as the
ubiquitous English Churchyard Yew, being both evergreen and long-lived
symbolising eternity.
With the introduction of Conifers from around the world in the 17th,18th, and 19
centuries, Pinetums, an arboretum or collection, of all types of Conifers for landscape
and ornament, became a Victorian gardening fashion. Monkey Puzzle trees and
Redwoods, amongst others, becoming desirable trees to own.
The Americas in particular were to prove to be a source of many important Conifers
that were to be planted in great numbers, making a lasting impact on the British
landscapes, planted then and now for both ornament and forestry.
In the 17th and 18th Centuries, Pinus Strobus – the White Pine, and Chamaecyparis
thyoides – The White Cypress found in the Eastern Americas were being introduced
and grown in the British Isles, later to be planted at Brookwood Cemetery.
The 19th Century saw further introductions from the western Americas, these
included: Sequoiadendron giganteum – The Giant Redwood, Pseudotsuga menziesii –
The Douglas fir, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana – Lawson's Cypress. Some seed from
these trees arriving in the British Isles at the same time that Brookwood first opened
in 1854 and subsequently, some major Local nurseries, such as Goldsworth and
Waterers were to play a big part in supplying and planting the new arrivals at
Brookwood Cemetery.
Enjoy a walk exploring the amazing collection of trees at Brookwood Cemetery
Event Location: North Cemetery, Cemetery Pales GU24 0BL Telephone No:
01483-472222 (No booking required)
Celebrating 170 years since opening
This is a chance to explore the beautiful grounds, view inside the mausoleums and visit the Military Cemeteries and exhibitions at St Edward Brotherhood and The Trench Experience
Take a short ride on the Mizens Railway – A passenger carrying miniature railway
There will be walks from the North chapel:
11am: Conifer Trees in Brookwood Cemetery
12noon; 2pm: Victoria Cross walks
1pm: Mausoleums walk led by the Brookwood Cemetery Society
(no booking required)
There will be tours of Brookwood American Cemetery, focusing on the heritage and architecture as well as family friendly activities.
Refreshments available: at The Trench Experience
Event Location: North Cemetery, Cemetery Pales GU24 0BL
Telephone No: 01483-472222
Event Location: Glades House Entrance, Cemetery Pales GU24 0BL
Telephone No: 01483-472222
Image gallery from our Heritage Open Day 2024
To mark 170 years since its establishment, Brookwood Cemetery will host a celebratory event with walking tours of the cemetery on Surrey Day, Saturday 7 May 2022.
The event will feature information displays and members of the Brookwood Cemetery Society will be available to answer questions about the cemetery and help locate graves on the site. Guided walks of the site will include an introduction to the cemetery and a look inside some of the mausoleums and at the beautiful wildlife. The event will also mark 30 years of the Brookwood Cemetery Society.
Established through an Act of Parliament in 1852, Brookwood Cemetery (apart from the northern section) opened to the public on 13 November 1854 when the first burials took place. The cemetery is a Grade I listed park and garden and, at 220 acres, is one of the largest cemeteries in Western Europe.
As part of the ongoing restoration of Brookwood Cemetery, in 2021 Woking Borough Council remediated 7,000 cubic metres of contaminated land within the cemetery to create a beautiful new burial site and wetland area. This will accommodate 480 new burial plots, primarily for use in Muslim burials.
Woking’s Brookwood Cemetery, a Historic England significant heritage destination, has once again received the National Green Flag Award status.
The award scheme, managed by the leading environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world. The purpose is to promote the need to have access to quality green space and enable residents live a healthier lifestyle.
In recent months, as part of the ongoing restoration of Brookwood Cemetery, Woking Borough Council has remediated 7,000 cubic metres of contaminated land within the grounds to create a beautiful new burial site and wetland area.
Cllr Kevin Davis, Woking Borough Council’s lead member for Brookwood Cemetery, said: “Brookwood Cemetery is a site like no other. The natural beauty, history and ecological value makes the grounds a unique asset to the community. “Renewing our Green Flag status is a remarkable achievement to be proud of and a testament to the recent restoration works the cemetery has seen. The new features have transformed the area and with the addition of contemplation spots and benches over the wetland, the site welcomes visitors with a renewed warmth and an intimate atmosphere.”
Avril Kirby, Brookwood Cemetery Manager, continued: “The Council is committed to improving the borough’s biodiversity and green infrastructure. It brings me great pride that this prestigious award has once again been honoured, especially after the hard work and dedication from all the teams involved in creating the new burial site, the wider restoration programme and the general upkeep of the site.”