South Ealing Cemetery Improvements

Ealing Parks Foundation, in partnership with Ealing Council, are working to improve South Ealing Cemetery and create a more welcoming space for visitors. 

As featured in our November 2024 Park of the Month the Old Cemetery had become overgrown in recent years, and the Grade 2 listed chapels have fallen into disrepair and are officially ‘at risk’. EPF made a proposal as to how the cemetery could retain its charm and dignity while also being restored to be a lovely green space for leisure, wellbeing and wildlife. 

Working with volunteer groups and local residents, we started in the Victorian section (South Ealing Road entrance) and, in the last six months, we have made good progress:

• cut back overgrown shrubs to improve sight lines, sense of safety, and clean selected memorials 

• planted bulbs and sown wildflower seeds

• cleaned bird boxes and installed new ones

• restored electricity to the chapels, carried out basic maintenance and a service of the clock and its pulley system

• researched the history behind the cemetery and some of its occupants 

• engaged with local groups and people who can help

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To leave us your views on the proposals, please complete this survey.

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Winter (February 2026) update:

 

Despite how wet this winter has been, it hasn’t put a damper on either the enthusiasm or the amount of work being done at South Ealing Cemetery, both indoors and outdoors.

We continued to run volunteering sessions, which were well-attended, and included a particularly enjoyable session with training provided by the Habitats and Heritage charity on how to assess the condition and safety of memorials. At the end of February, we spread tonnes of wood chip (recycled Ealing Christmas trees) onto side paths of the ‘old cemetery’, and checked bird boxes ahead of Spring nesting. At the front of the chapels, we planted spring bulbs to create a welcoming aspect at the South Ealing Road entrance, and we’re planning a climate resilient planting scheme for the front bed and for planting around the war memorial in the ‘new cemetery.’

We’ve also submitted bids for funds for signage, equipment and activities in the cemetery grounds following conversations with local organisations about what would be desirable and appropriate.

As for the chapels themselves, we installed tripod lights inside, to provide lighting which has facilitated visits from two groups (graphic communications and interior architecture) from the University of West London. More importantly, we have submitted bids for funds to make the chapels watertight and to address the most urgent issues.

 

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