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 Paul's is now a Key Ecological Site within the Forest of Dean. Recent work in the church has revealed the presence of several types of bat including the Soprano Pipistrelle and Lesser Horseshoe Bat. The outside walls and grounds are rich in rare and unusual lichens, fungi and insects; and we have large influxes of birders each spring to see our Hawfinches, Crossbills and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. August 2021- first slow-worms seen in churchyard! August 2022 - first lizards seen in churchyard!!
Since 2019 as part of our ecological conservation of the churchyards we are now mowing to a harlequin design - some parts kept close cut, some cut 2/3 times a year and two parts reaped only once after the flowering season. This has led to a massive increase in the diversity of wild flowers seen in the churchyard (and so many butterflies)Â including several varieties of orchid including Bee Orchids.
- Birders paradise
- Good accessibility
- Great for fungi
- Lichen haven
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
On a gentle slope, grass paths
Bus into Parkend from Lydney or Gloucester then 1/2 mile walk. Steam trains Wednesdays and weekends in summer (Dean Forest Railway)
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
