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 churchyard at St Peters dates back to the medieval era, when in 1340 the monks of Sibton Abbey built a church. The site may have been home to a wooden church before this and a 3000 year old burial urn has also been found here. Largely undisturbed, wildflowers have flourished in the churchyard.
Between 1981 and 2009 the late Joan Westcott guided the management of the churchyard and recorded the many species of flora found at St Peters. Her work continues to this day by interested volunteers.
The light soils mean that lady’s bedstraw and mouse-ear hawkweed thrive and later in the summer knapweed and harebells (some white) appear. The many flowers support a wide range of invertebrates.
Each summer at the end of July for the last 50 years sees a wildflower festival, where people are on hand to guide visitors around the churchyard, bug hunts and moth surveys are carried out and displays of wildflowers are exhibited in the church.
The areas around modern graves are regularly mown but a large proportion of the churchyard is allowed to grow freely then cut and raked in autumn by a strong team from the local community.
Link to species recorded on the National Biodiversity Database Burial Ground Portal
- Fascinating monuments
- Good accessibility
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
There is a bench near the church door. There is a wide level gravel path through the church yard.
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.
