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Bunhill Fields Burial Ground

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A burial ground in the Islington district of north London, used as a cemetary from 1665 to 1854. Bunhill Fields was particularly used for burials of non-Conformists, and houses memorials to a number of famous people, including Isaac Watts, William Blake, John Bunyan, George Fox, and Daniel Defoe.

Bunhill Fields was originally part of the Finsbury manor. The name Bunhill probably derives from 'Bone Hill', a reference to the fact that burials took place here since at least the Saxon era. In the medieval period it was also used as a dumping ground for bones from St Paul's charnel house.

The burial ground was enclosed by the City of London Corporation to take burials after the Great Plague of 1665. The ground was never consecrated, so it thus became popular as a burial place for non-Conformists. Immediately beside Bunhill Fields is the Quaker Burying Ground, purchased by Quakers (or, more properly, The Religiuous Society of Friends) as a burial ground in 1661.

By the time the burial ground was closed on January 5 1854, something along the lines of 120,000 burials had taken place at Bunhill, a quite astonishing number given the small area of the grounds (about 4 hectares). After it was closed to burials, Bunhill Fields was converted into a landscape park.

Most of the historical monuments and grave markers can still be seen. Those to William Blake, Defoe, and Bunyan are in a central paved area, while most of the other monuments are behind iron railings in a landscaped area.

Directly opposite the City Road entrance to Bunhill Fields is Wesley's Chapel, used by John Wesley as a London base from 1778.
City Road, London, Greater London, England, EC1Y 2BG

About Bunhill Fields Burial Ground
Attraction Type: Park
Location: Nearest underground station is Old Street
Location map
Bunhill Fields Burial Ground Photos
OS TQ326822

Heritage Highlight: Historic burial ground with graves of authors Daniel Defoe, John Bunyan, and artist William Blake.
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Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information Photos

Nearest Attractions Wesley's Chapel - 0.1 miles (Church) London Guildhall - 0.4 miles (Historic Property) St. Giles Cripplegate - 0.4 miles (Church) Museum of London - 0.5 miles (Museum) All Hallows London Wall - 0.5 miles (Church) 18 Folgate Street - 0.5 miles (Historic House) St Bartholomew-the-Great - 0.5 miles (Church) Guildhall Art Gallery - 0.6 miles (Museum)

Nearest Towns and Villages London - 0.8 miles away Dartford - 14.1 miles away Lullingstone - 16.8 miles away Westerham - 19.2 miles away Gravesend - 20.6 miles away Sevenoaks - 21.7 miles away Windsor - 22.4 miles away Eton - 22.5 miles away

Photos of Bunhill Fields Burial Ground

John Bunyan memorial

John Bunyan effigy

Daniel Defoe memorial

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Nearest Accommodation to Bunhill Fields Burial Ground

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Ivydene - 20.8 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground Heybridge, Essex Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £220

No 6 The Courtyard (First Floor) - 22.5 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground Windsor, Berkshire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £495

No 7 The Courtyard (Second Floor) - 22.5 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground Windsor, Berkshire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £495

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Nearest Hotels

The Hoxton - 0.3 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London, Greater London Stay from: £149.00

Express by Holiday Inn, London City - 0.3 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London, Greater London Stay from: £91.00

University of Westminster Alexander Fleming Hall of Residence - 0.4 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London, Greater London Stay from: £30.00

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Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

City Habitat Apartments - 0.8 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London, Greater London From: £79.00

Avonmore Hotel - 1.8 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London, Greater London From: £40.00

The Garth Hotel - 1.9 miles from Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London, Greater London From: £126.00

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London
City Information Centre
St. Paul's Churchyard
London
Greater London
England
EC4M 8BX
Tel: 020 7332 1456
Web: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
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