We are compiling this directory of flowery burial grounds from across the UK, which we would recommend visiting if you are looking for a well managed site rich in wildlife and heritage. Burial grounds can have a rich array of plants, animals and fungi, and may contain the only surviving area of flower-rich grassland in a parish. All the sites listed here contain this habitat. To see the flowers at their best, late May to mid or end of July is usually the most suitable time to visit. However, do contact the site managers for more specific timings before you visit if this is important to you.
All Saints’ Church Clifton is about 800 years old and much of the original structure remains. The Church contains many features that are interesting plus some that are of national importance. The whole of the fourteenth century south side of the church and the fifteenth century tower can be viewed from Church Street.
The churchyard is entered through the nineteenth century lychgate, set between mature yew trees which border Church Street. The wheelchair-friendly path has flower beds on either side and uncluttered gravestones provide a rich habitat for lichens as well as reminders of the past.
The churchyard surrounding the church is now closed for burials and apart from the 2 flower borders is unimproved grassland on glacial till which is mown and well-maintained by a dedicated team of volunteer grass-cutters and gardeners.
Our churchyard benefits from the support of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust and the St Albans Diocesan Adviser on Churchyards. With their encouragement we started our journey to improve biodiversity back in 2007 when a local naturalist conducted a comprehensive survey to identify the species present. The information was used to develop a management plan for the churchyard incorporating areas managed for biodiversity, including spring and summer flowering areas which are left uncut for the relevant growing seasons. A Bioblitz was conducted in 2017 by a number of specialists in various aspects of natural history from Bedfordshire Natural History Society (BNHS), which added to our knowledge and provided more encouragement to continue our management scheme.
One of the plants found in 2007, Ivy Broomrape, was the first record of this plant for Bedfordshire. This is a parasitic plant without chlorophyll so is totally dependent on its host. The plant can be found, when in flower, under the holly tree by the small gate to the churchyard.
Our journey to improve biodiversity continues today. Regular reviews are undertaken by the Diocesan Advisor, and Wildlife Trust and adjustments are made accordingly. We now have 2 summer flowering areas and the boundaries of all areas have been adjusted to incorporate additional key indicator species. This year a Pyramidal Orchid has been identified which is now being protected from browsing and grass cutting.
Swifts can regularly be seen and heard round our churchyard in the summer months, and we have installed Swift boxes with a caller near the south door of the church with the support of the Bedfordshire Swift Group. We also have several nest boxes, made by children in Messy Woodwork in the trees in the churchyard.
Our churchyard has some regular nocturnal visitors identified by CCTV cameras. These include muntjac deer, foxes and less often badgers. Other evidence of visitors can also be found – hedgehogs droppings can be seen all around the churchyard, others graze plants or dig the ground for grubs and moles leave the spoil from their tunnelling on the surface.
The graves of 2 former rectors are clearly marked, (Revd Josiah Olivier and Revd Henry Miles) as is an occupant of Clifton Manor (Henry Palmer) and other parishioners; they represent many thousands of others.
Revd Josiah Olivier followed his father Daniel Stephen as rector here together covering the period 1790-1858. The late Lord Olivier, the actor, is a descendant of the family.
Revd Henry Miles was rector at All Saints from 1858 to 1891. He was buried in March 1910. He carried out a notable restoration of the church and at times “a quarter of the population was maintained by him.”
While visiting the churchyard you will hear the church clock chiming the quarters and striking the hours and half hours. If you are here at 8 am, 12 pm, 4 pm or 8 pm you will also hear the carillon playing one of its 4 tunes, it is the only working carillon in Bedfordshire.
In addition to the features below we also have:
- Swift boxes, a caller may be heard encouraging these lovely birds to take up residence
- Graves of 2 former rectors
- Clock and only working carillon in Bedfordshire
- Church Guide available inside the Church
- Good accessibility
- Interpretation boards
- Lychgate
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
Swift boxes, a caller may be heard encouraging these lovely birds to take up residence
Graves of 2 former rectors
Clock and only working carillon in Bedfordshire
Church Guide available inside the Church
The churchyard is level and has a composite path from the lychgate to the church porch which is wheelchair-friendly - other paths are gravel or grass.
The map below will take a few seconds to load. You can search for a burial ground either by county, or by the name of the burial ground, or by clicking the markers on the map.
Add your burial ground.
If you would like to nominate a flowery burial ground that you manage for inclusion in our directory, please complete the form here. We will review all submissions before inclusion in the directory, so please understand you won’t see your burial ground immediately.
