Monument record MDO8619 - Wimborne Road Cemetery, Bournemouth

A cemetery, opened in 1878, laid out by the architect Christopher Crabbe Creeke. It is a good example of a High Victorian cemetery, with distinctive structural planting and has a good collection of funerary monuments which reflect Bournemouth's role as an emergent, leading, seaside resort in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Wimborne Road cemetery was created following a steep rise in the population of Bournemouth in the mid nineteenth century. A plot of land called Rush Corner was purchased in 1872 and shortly after an additional piece of land was added, bringing the total area for Bournemouth's first cemetery to 8ha. The Burial Board commissioned the architect to the Bournemouth Board of Commissioners, Christopher Crabbe Creeke (1820-86), to design the cemetery, which included a chapel, an entrance lodge, a mortuary chapel, and landscaping works. The chapel, which contains both the Church of England and Nonconformist chapels, was completed in 1877. The cemetery was consecrated in April 1878 and the first burials took place that same month. In September 1886, ground for Roman Catholic burials was consecrated by the Bishop of Portsmouth. Additional ground was consecrated in October 1908 and subsequently in July 1915. Since the first burial in 1878, over 43,000 people have been buried in Wimborne Road Cemetery, and it remains in use.

It is a level diamond-shaped site of 9.5ha with a cemetery chapel at the centre and laid out in a simple design of formal avenues which meet at the central chapel. The main entrance to the cemetery is situated at the southern tip of the site, at Rush Corner, the junction of Wimborne Road and Charminster Road. This gives access to the south avenue, which forms the main approach to the chapel. To the north-west of the entrance lies a lodge, introduced in the late 1960s and replacing the former late nineteenth century lodge situated here. To its north-east stands a war memorial in the form of a carved stone cross set on an octagonal base.

The site is enclosed by a belt of mature trees, including pines and holly. From the main entrance, an avenue planted with monkey puzzles alternating with clipped golden hollies runs to the chapel. The straight avenue that links the east and west entrances is lined with mature cedars and a variety of gravestones and memorials. Parallel to the north-west boundary runs a third avenue with the mortuary situated halfway along its length. The latter is a small rectangular gothic building, built of brick with a pitched slate roof. The avenue is planted along its south side with mature pine trees, and to the north it is lined with a mixture of mature trees.

The cemetery contains a wide range of fine late nineteenth and early twentieth century memorials. It is the resting place of twenty-seven mayors of Bournemouth and contains the graves of many other local notables.<4>

Late 19th century urban cemetery. The site, formerly known as Rush Corner, was purchased 1876 by the Bournemouth Commissioners from the Cooper-Dean family. Laid out by Christopher Crabbe Creek, who designed the cemetery chapel 1877-78, sited at the centre of the cemetery. Non-conformist chapel adjacent to north west. Cemetery opened 1878, and still (1986) in use. <2>

Christopher Crabbe Creeke was commissioned to design the cemetery which was consecrated in April 1878. Ground for Roman Catholic burials was consecrated in September 1886. Additional ground was consecrated in October 1908 and July 1915. (3)

A cemetery which was set up by a burial board in response to a steep increase in the population of Bournemouth. Architect Christopher Crabbe Creeke was commissioned by the burial board to design the cemetery which included a chapel, entrance lodge and mortuary chapel. The cemetery was consecrated in April 1878 and the first burials took place during that month. Ground for Roman Catholic burials was consecrated in September 1886. Additional ground was consecrated in October 1908 and July 1915. The cemetery contains over 43000 burials and it is still in use. The cemetery layout comprises a simple design of formal avenues and paths which converge on the mortuary chapel which is at the centre of the cemetery. (4)

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 scale map, 1975 (Map). SDO17396.

[Name SZ 08959270] Cemetery[NAT]

<2> English Heritage, 1984-1987, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Monograph). SWX1383.

<3> English Heritage, 2005, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Revised), Nov 2009 (Monograph). SDO17438.

<4> English Heritage, National Heritage List for England, 1000726 (Digital archive). SDO12876.

<5> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BF110827 (Index). SDO14738.

Wimborne Road Cemetery Chapel, Wimborne Road, Bournemouth

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 619286 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 4:32PM