209B Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 6SQ
Putney Old Burial Ground
Parkland
Place photograph
3.8
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.8An 18th-century burial ground made into a public garden, where listed tombs and mature London plane trees give a quiet, historic pause amid Putney’s busy streets.
This is a small urban green, not a wilderness escape. Its distinction is the unusual meeting of historic burial ground, listed tombs, winding paths and mature trees, offering a compact dose of calm and local history near Putney’s shops.
Peaceful · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open map209B Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 6SQ
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow a short visit to wander the paths, take in the listed tombs and mortuary building, and notice how the mature trees and quiet grounds contrast with the nearby busy streets. This is a compact heritage stop rather than a full-day destination.
Things to do
Look closely at the listed tombs
Notice the listed tombs, including the table tomb at the park entrance. The grounds also contain the tomb of archaeologist Robert Wood, as well as memorials to other notable people.
10–20 minutes
Find the small mortuary building
The council describes a small mortuary building within the grounds and notes that it is not in use. Observe it from the public paths; do not assume it is open to enter.
Take a slow walk beneath the plane trees
Follow the winding paths and notice the mature London plane trees that help give the grounds their quiet, shaded character.
10–20 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 15–30 minutes
A quiet turn among the tombs
- 01
Enter through the main gate on Upper Richmond Road.
- 02
Follow the winding paths at an unhurried pace.
- 03
Pause at the listed tombs and take in the mature plane trees.
Half day · 30–45 minutes
A short heritage-and-green-space pause
- 01
Start at the Upper Richmond Road gate and notice the table tomb at the entrance.
- 02
Walk the winding paths, looking out for the listed tombs and small mortuary building.
- 03
Spend a quiet moment beneath the mature London plane trees before returning to the gate.
Verified history
Putney Old Burial Ground dates from the 18th century and served as a burial ground for Putney. The council identifies listed tombs and a small mortuary building among its features. A secondary account says the cemetery was established in 1763, closed for burials in 1854 and later converted to a public garden; those dates should be checked against local archival or heritage records before being treated as definitive.
Hidden details
The table tomb at the entrance — The table tomb by the park entrance is listed. It is an easy-to-miss reason to pause before following the paths into the grounds.
A mortuary building within the grounds — The council records a small mortuary building and notes that it is not in use.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · Daylight, when the paths and memorial details are easier to see.
The grounds can be visited year-round; warmer months bring leafy shade from the mature trees. The supplied sources do not establish a particular seasonal wildlife spectacle.
Check the forecast and current site information before visiting. Path conditions are not described in the supplied sources.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the listed tombs, including the table tomb by the entrance
- 02
the small mortuary building
- 03
mature London plane trees
- 04
and winding paths through the grounds.
The story
18th-century burial ground; historic tombs and memorials.
Best time to go
Year-round; spring and summer bring the strongest green canopy, while the tombs and old trees remain the focus in any season.
Visit in daylight and take time to look closely at the tombs and trees. Check current access arrangements before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
A public green space with its main gate on Upper Richmond Road. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source listing reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Surface conditions and access around the grounds are not confirmed; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Water
None recorded.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Putney Old Burial Ground
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
