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 Christ Church, Gorsley, is recognised as a key wildlife site by The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. It has a wide range of grasses and wild flowers which support a variety of insects, butterflies and birds, including the house martins which nest in the eaves of the church. The churchyard is only mown once a year in late summer or early autumn after the flower and grass seeds have set. Snowdrops, wild daffodils, cowslips, orchids, ox-eye daisies, bird's-foot trefoil and devil's bit scabious are amongst the flora flowering as the seasons progress. The churchyard has five types of orchid: the early purple orchid, the green-winged orchid, the twayblade, the common spotted orchid and the greater butterfly orchid, only recently discovered. The months of May and June are a lovely time to see the churchyard.
- Good accessibility
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
The church is open every day during the day time between the end of March and the end of October and on Saturdays and Sundays during the winter months. There are information booklets about the history of the church and the local area inside the church. It is a lovely place for quiet contemplation and prayer. There is one war grave in the churchyard.
The churchyard can be accessed either from the gate at the main entrance to the church or from the church car park via a footpath through the churchyard. Both are wheelchair accessible.
There is a bus stop just outside the church. The Daffodil Line bus, 232, runs between Newent, Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury every 2 hours.
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
