I know what you’re thinking – only creeps hang out at cemeteries. Normal people only show up there only for funerals, right? Well, maybe now – but it wasn’t always like that! Back in the 19^th century, everyone would visit cemeteries on a regular basis. They evolved into beautifully designed parks, where families and friends would have a picnic by the grave of a loved one. Death was everywhere anyway, and people just wanted to stay connected with those who’d passed.

But nowadays, mortality has became a big taboo. Dark and spooky things are acceptable only around Halloween. People tend to avoid anything morbid, hoping that if they don’t talk (or even think!) about death, it’ll just stay away. Sure, it’s a tough subject, but also a natural part of life and shouldn’t be feared of! There’s nothing wrong with having a casual stroll through a cemetery – and unless you go climbing on some old monument and fall plunging headfirst into the ground, it surely won’t bring you any closer to the end!

Modern burial grounds are not much to look at, but have you ever checked out a 19^th century one? Oh, they’re something different! Fascinating places packed with art, history, and a vibe you won’t find anywhere else. Trust me, London’s Magnificent Seven got that name for a reason!

I dare you to swap your next planned afternoon in the park for a wandering between old, moss-covered headstones. Here’s why you should visit a Victorian cemetery:

Just imagine – thousands of people there and no one talking. An introverts’ haven! Cemeteries are quiet, peaceful places, free from the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life. There’s something about them, that soothes your thoughts and makes you feel calm, giving almost a meditative experience. Come here for the mindfulness. Walk, jog through, or just have a sit. Bring a book and your favourite tea. Take off the headphones. Enjoy the silence.

Old cemeteries are basically biographies of their communities, gathering stories like a library! The layout of graves and design of monuments offer clues about the social and cultural history of the area. Sometimes the inscription says that someone died in an accident – aren’t you curious what happened? You can easily look it up online, in archives and libraries! Just imagine – all these people from bygone eras, with their fascinating life stories buried with them into the ground, waiting patiently for someone to dig them back up… The stories, that is, not the bodies!

To attract future residents, Victorian cemeteries were designed to look absolutely spectacular! All these chapels, grand mausoleums and all kinds of fancy monuments along the carefully lined paths, were complemented by decorative trees and shrubs, as well as colourful floral carpets in-between the graves, competing with the most beautiful gardens. Even today, romantically overgrown, with their angelic statues covered in moss, these Victorian ‘gardens of sleep’ are still as charming as ever!

Good luck in finding anything close to the beauty of the old funerary art and its craftsmanship at modern cemeteries, filled with dull chunks of granite! Back in the 19th century, memorial sculpture was just as important as any other form of it, created by top artists and even getting press reviews! Intricate monuments were showcasing variety of styles and forms, full of fascinating symbolism. Carved ivy meant evergreen memories, a broken flower stem – life cut short… These forgotten masterpieces are considered a cultural heritage and definitely deserve a closer look!

As cities grew, the green spaces shrank, robbing wild animals of their homes. Lucky for them, the graves, trees, and hedges of old garden cemeteries make perfect hideouts! They’re full of foxes, squirrels and bats, lots of birds, but also reptiles, amphibians and insects. Some of London’s old burial grounds have more than 450 different species of beetles alone! There’s a population of rare cave spiders living in the darkest corners of Highgate’s historic catacombs. At rural historical cemeteries, like Brookwood, you can even spot a deer!

If you know their resting places, you can easily trace your ancestors. Tombstones are packed with useful info, like birth dates and kinship – perfect for kicking off your research before diving into the archives! Feeling a sense of connection with people whose blood runs in your veins is a pretty meaningful experience. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing that family tree you’ve pieced together all by yourself!

It can be a historically significant figure or a long-forgotten celebrity – there are just so many interesting individuals who deserve not to be forgotten! You can research the backstory of an intriguing inscription on a headstone or do it the other way round – check who’s buried in a particular cemetery before you visit. From occultists highly ranked in secret esoteric orders to eccentric magicians pretending they were Chinese – you’ll be surprised who you can find while casually wandering through your local graveyard!

Take a moment and look around. For every name on a headstone, there was a person who had a life and dreams. They had their ups and downs just like you do, but in the end, everyone ends up in the same place, while the world keeps spinning. All that’s left are names and dates, some already faded. Life’s fragile, precious and totally unpredictable – so why not start appreciating it now, making the most of the time you have and considering on how you want to be remembered one day?

Some historical cemeteries are rumoured to be paranormal hotspots, so if you like the chill, it’s worth to check if any of these spooky stories are true. The deceased don’t like their resting places to be disturbed – and with grave robberies, WW2 bombings or playgrounds built on top of unmarked graves, they can have a reason to get upset! So… do you feel like someone’s having a sneak peek at you from behind that mossy headstone? Get yourself a proper ghost-hunting equipment, like EVP recorder, for a better chance of catching the evidence! Feeling brave enough?

The unique, moody vibe of overgrown old cemeteries has been an endless source of inspiration for centuries. Many writers, including Beatrix Potter, came up with their characters’ names among the mossy graves. So, grab your laptop, sketchbook or camera and let the creativity flow! Some historical burial grounds even invite artists in residence to work on projects that tap into their unique history and symbolism – can you imagine?

So, what do you think? Are you already convinced to give the nearest old cemetery a try? To turn a casual stroll into a history lesson mixed with an art exhibition, spiced up by a potential ghost encounter?

Seriously, I can’t imagine what would I do, and how could I cope with living in London without my cemetery walks! The fast-pace modern world and crowded, loud parks are definitely not for me.

But to be honest, as much as I believe these peaceful hidden gems deserve some love, I’m actually more than happy that most people stick to regular parks – they don’t disturb me while I’m wondering between the mossy Victorian graves!

Are you still team park, or already team cemetery? Let me know in the comments!