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.
This lovely churchyard is a County Wildlife site, renowned for its displays of wildflowers.
Renowned ecologist and author Dr George Peterken puts Coddenham in a national ‘100 best churchyards’, not just for the wealth of flowers but also for the obvious interest in managing for them. The species found include bee orchid, rough hawkbit, field scabious, lady’s bedstraw and there are records of a range of lichens.
St Mary’s Churchyard is a special place, and a tribute to all those who have worked to maintain it over the years. The exceptional range of wildlife has only been made possible by decades of careful management by volunteers from the former Churchyard Management Group and latterly the Parish Council.
Until August 2020, the day-to-day management of the churchyard, around St Mary’s Church, was undertaken by the Churchyard Management Group, an informal, voluntary and independent group, with members from the Parish Council, Parochial Church Council and interested members of the community.
St Mary’s churchyard species list July 22
Link to the records for St Mary’s on the National Biodiversity Network’s Burial Ground Portal
Photo credits to Colin Hardy & St Mary’s Facebook page
- Fascinating monuments
- Lichen haven
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
There are two seats with an arm and a back in the churchyard on either side of the church. There is a wide, surfaced path that runs uphill from the gate on church road up to the church door. Other paths around the churchyard are mown grass. For those with access needs, cars can enter here and park on the short-mown grass to the right of the path unless the ground is very wet.
There is a bus stop outside the village shop served by route 116, please see the timetable https://bustimes.org/services/116-ipswich-coddenham-debenham-3
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
