Abney Park, Stoke Newington

     

Nestling in the shadows of the more well known and manicured lawns of Clissold Park in Stoke Newington lies the infinitely more interesting necropolis that is Abney Park. Formerly one of the “magnificent seven” garden cemeteries of London, it is now a woodland memorial park and Local Nature Reserve and fabulous place to walk your dog.

Abney Park itself offers free public access and educational facilities including a small stone carving workshop, training centre/classroom and visitors centre.



This 32 acre park originated in the late 18thcentury when land was laid out by Lady Mary Abney. In its heyday it was unique in being the first arboretum in Europe to be combined with a cemetery. Its 2,500 trees and shrubs were all labelled and arranged around the perimeter alphabetically from “A” for Acer to “Z” for Zanthoxylum (which we all know are American Toothache Trees!).  For someone as anally retentive as myself this kind of order sounds far too good to be true and has almost  inspired me to do some gardening this afternoon!

Unlike its manicured counterparts such as Brompton Cemetery where dog access is limited and the grounds are tweezed to within an inch of its life (no pun intended) Abney Park is now in a more “natural” state. Still dominated by huge Victorian mausoleums and tombstones nature is taking its course and claiming it back by very much softening the shape and imposing edges of the copious memorials.  Every turn within the park reveals a different landscape.



It you decide you use Abney Park please make sure to take your camera with you. There’s a beautiful abandoned chapel in the centre of the park and the memorials are incredible. My favourite is one of a huge white lion sculpted in the same idiom as the ones in Trafalgar Square lying rampant on a huge white plinth. I also have some fabulous shots of my four dogs here last winter when the snow was deep and crisp and even.



Dogs love it here. There’s plenty of undergrowth for them to explore which my four adore doing. I have used this park for many years and only ever had trouble with one other dog and their irresponsible owner on one occasion which is pretty good going.



I would really recommend this park for both dogs and their owners alike. It is always relatively quiet and peaceful as one might expect an abandoned cemetery to be.

If, after your walk, you are in need of refreshment there are many nice cafes nearby in Stoke Newington Church Street and Church Newington High Street as well as a very dog friendly cafe in nearby Clissold Park.

Robert Stuhldreer
Assessor for The Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme
Akita behavioural breed expert for the Kennel Club

Our thanks to Robert for sending us this feature.

Abney Park Bus routes: 67, 73, 76, 106, 149, 243, 276, 393 and 476 all stop outside the Park. British Rail: Stoke Newington BR is 200 metres from the Park entrance An attractive and historic area in North...