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 Mary’s is a small church and churchyard in the rural area of the Severn Vale. The current church was built in the 1840s and is the third known church building built on the site over the past 700 years. The church is an unusual example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and is little altered from when it was built. It has been described as Gloucestershire’s mini cathedral as it is very ornate.
The churchyard is open for burials so our gravestones date from the 1720s to the current day. There are several rather ornate Victorian memorials from the Darell family who were the major funders of the new Victorian building.
The churchyard is actively managed as a wildlife friendly area and as a church we are working towards our Bronze Eco church award.
We have several mature trees (firs, an unpruned yew, and a lime tree) together with our clipped yews along our pathway. Our spring display of primroses can be, weather permitting, very good. Generally, the primroses bloom from Christmas to March or even April in a cold spring.
During the mowing season our grass is cut at different lengths to give a wide variety of habitats. We take part in Plant Life’s No Mow project over the months of May, June, and July where areas are left unmown to see what blooms. Over 30 species of wildflowers have been identified including selfheal, bird’s foot trefoil, oxeye daises, buttercups, lady’s bedstraw and creeping Jenny.
- Birders paradise
- Famous/infamous people's memorials
- Fascinating monuments
- Lichen haven
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Stones with stories
- War memorial
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
The churchyard has a slight incline from the road up to the church, the main path is tarmac leading into a chippings pathway around the church building. Areas of long grass have paths mown through.
The nearest bus stop is at Frampton-on-Severn about a mile away by road, or 2 miles if using the section of the Severn Way footpath (re-join road at the Hock Ditch).
Nearest railway station is Cam & Dursley (about 10 miles away).
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.Â
