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.
St Catherine’s, in Barmby Moor, is said to be the largest churchyard in East Yorkshire, certainly it is very large (2.5 acres or 1 hectare). It has been managed for wildlife since the mid 1990s when the then vicar, Canon Val Hewetson, a botany graduate, noticed wildflowers flowering in between mowings. Fast forward to the 2020s, the churchyard has a range of mowing regimes – to allow the wildflowers to continue to thrive and provide a habitat for small mammals, insects and other small creatures.
The areas of modern graves are mown approximately once a fortnight in the growing season to provide ready access to visiting families. The wildlife area in the South of the churchyard, is on land too damp to be used for burials. The area can be divided in to three parts. One part is never mown but has briers etc removed. The other two areas are mown on alternate years with the cuttings removed. The network of paths and the area near the main door are mown weekly and scarified occasionally by volunteers to provide easy access for visitors to parts of the churchyard. The remaining areas are left to grow long and cut on a two year cycle with the cuttings removed by volunteers.
Within the churchyard are war graves from WWII, of fallen airmen from Pocklington Aerodrome. There is also an interesting standing stone, called the Wart Stone. Standing approximately 5 feet high, you can find it near the main door.
The best time to visit is in spring and summer, when cowslips and snakes head fritillaries flourish, followed by oxeye daisies, red campion and pignut. Later still, field and devil’s bit scabious flower, as does betony. On sunny days common grassland butterflies can be seen.
All the trees have been catalogued; there are more than 50 in the churchyard.
The church provides two free treasure trails, available in the entrance. The one for younger children (aged 8 – 10) includes outdoor activities and things to find the churchyard.
On the south side of the churchyard, is a shallow beck where water shrew and the occasional kingfisher can be seen. Following the beck, a short distance on tarmac paths, brings you to St Catherine’s sister wildlife area on Beckside. Three species of wild native orchid flower there in June. This area is open access and part of the village greens.
Other areas in the wider village are maintained as corridors for pollinators, planted with both wild and cultivated plants. There is a snicket on Manor Garth, a border on Flat Lane and a patch of ground at the back of the Old School that can be viewed from the verge. All are a riot of colour and pollinators in summer and worth seeing if time allows.
- Good accessibility
- Lichen haven
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Stones with stories
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
An interpretation board near the South gate. Low enough for children and wheelchair users to read. There is a children’s treasure trail pamphlet available in the entrance. It includes things to find in both the church building and the churchyard.
The churchyard is on a shallow incline from North to South. Three tarmac paths give access from the gates to the main door. Grass paths exist as a network around the churchyard to the Commonwealth war graves and the wild areas. These are generally level, wide enough for a wheelchair and are closely mown to make access as easy as it can be.
There are two wooden benches, one on the south side near the main door and one near the cremated remains area.
Request stops nearby on the B1246 for the EYMS service from York to Bridlington – routes 45 and 46.
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.
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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.Â
