A guide to the Magnificent Seven

Kensal Green Cemetery – opened 1833 The oldest of the Magnificent Seven, this cemetery was inspired by the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, when architects realised that large cemeteries could be a solution overcrowded parish

Brompton Cemetery – opened 1840 Managed by the Royal Parks, making it the property of the crown, this cemetery is still open for burials and well-known as a spot for urban nature. There are more than 60 species of tree and supports a high number of invertebrates.

Highgate Cemetery – opened 1839 Graves of activists, film directors, sculptors, politicians and other notable names don the gravestones here. The only cemetery you have to pay for, but its mix of history and nature is unlike elsewhere.

West Norwood Cemetery – opened 1837 The first cemetery in the world to have a Gothic style, this site has some of the most fascinating listed buildings and mausoleums. The high walls surround it, carving a space for quiet in the city.

Abney Park Cemetery – opened 1840 Named a Local Nature Reserve, Abney is one of the greenest out of the seven. It was the first arboretum to be combined with a cemetery in Europe, making it a place for burials and a place for nature education.

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park – opened 1841 As a designated conservation area, this cemetery is a sanctuary for urban wildlife. It’s a place for flourishing biodiversity, consisting of a mix of habitats including wildflower meadows, woodland and grassland.

Nunhead Cemetery – opened 1840 Despite being one of the least-known out of the seven, Nunhead is a wonderful surprise. It has a mix of woodland, grassland and wetland. The grave of the most-likely Jack the Ripper suspect was discovered here a few years ago.