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.
The All Saints’ Church, East Budleigh, and churchyards are within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the East Budleigh Conservation Area – and adjoin farmland. There are two churchyards: a new cemetery comprising a burial ground and a garden of remembrance consecrated in July 1997; and our old churchyard. The old churchyard was converted to a “Living Churchyard” in 1995 with two large areas: one is a spring meadow with snowdrops, crocus, primrose, wild daffodils, ox-eye daises and other wildflowers; the other is a large summer meadow with around 100 different flowering species. Additionally the area immediately around the church is mown monthly to produce a short flowery lawn throughout the year and is also where we find waxcaps in the Autumn.
Every year we see more that 40 bird species, many insects, mammals, and reptiles, eg, slow worms and a toad, thrive in these meadows and five species of bat have been detected in the summer.
Our aim is to have churchyards that:
- are well-managed to provide a peaceful haven for both people and wildlife
- strike a balance between being an area of peace and contemplation whilst allowing nature to flourish
- actively encourage and help sustain wildlife
- are attractive and welcoming
We have a three-year rolling Management Plan based on the CfGA’s guidance which includes a mowing regime to encourage the spring and summer meadows to flourish.
We carefully and proactively manage our ancient burial grounds to protect and conserve this part of East Budleigh’s rural life and heritage resulting in a beautiful environment welcoming people and wildlife. Set in the rolling East Devon hills, it is a unique and special place that has an atmosphere tranquillity and contemplation.
This is the only churchyard in Devon to have received an award in all four years of the CPRE Devon’s “Best Churchyard” competition in: 2018 the 2nd oak plaque; 2019 the 1st oak plaque; 2020 the-“Highly Commended” oak plaque; and 2021 -“Certificate of Excellence”.
Over the years, we have improved and increased the number of ‘facilities’ to actively encourage and help to sustain wildlife in the churchyards including:
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- the four new compost bins behind the shed in the old Churchyard and a temporary compost heap in the new Churchyard;
- a grass pile in the corner of the New Churchyard;
- a wood pile under the Monterey Pine;
- a number of bird boxes throughout both Churchyards;
- bird feeders;
- a ‘Hedgehog Hotel’ with a pile of branches and leaves;
- three insect and bug ‘residences’;
- a wide variety of flowers in the old Churchyards; and
- well-maintained trees.
- Birders paradise
- Famous/infamous people's memorials
- Fascinating monuments
- Great for fungi
- Lichen haven
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Stones with stories
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
Self-guided trail in place April – October
There are notices and three interpretation noticeboards around the burial grounds with more information in the Porch and inside the Church.
There is one step then a sloping tarmac path up to the Church from the entrance on the High Street. Once on the Church level, there is relatively level access to the Old Churchyards on tarmac and grass paths. There is a slope or four steps down from the middle of the Old Churchyard to the New Churchyard and Garden of Remembrance.
Alternatively, the tarmac path from the Porch leads to eight steps down to the Church Hall level with sloping footpaths to the New Churchyard and Garden of Remembrance.
There are 12 benches in the burial grounds with back and arm rests. Several of the benches look out over the rolling Devon hills and one has an excellent view down the High Street with all the Grade II listed buildings.
There is car parking in the public car park off Hayes Lane – there are 15 steps up to the Church and burial grounds.
Those requiring disabled access: there is a separate concrete drive (just beyond All Saints Close off Hayes Lane) up to the Church Hall and then the footpath slopes up to the burial grounds
The 157 bus runs from Exmouth and from Sidmouth once per hour.
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.
