News / Old City
Historic graveyard to be opened to public for first time in decades
Work has started to build a new set of steps allowing access into a historic graveyard for the first time in decades.
The steps are located on John Street and will soon lead up into an archway and a gate that will become a new entrance to the former burial ground of St John on the Wall church.
The small piece of land which dates back to as early as 1409 is one of the few green spaces within the Old City.
is needed now More than ever
St John on the Wall burial ground was opened around1409 but closed before 1884
A circular path will be constructed around the cherry tree in the centre of the burial ground, where graves remain – including the grand two-tiered crypt of Hugh Browne – but all bodies have been exhumed.
It has taken several years to reach the moment when work can begin to allow the public to once again use the space, with funding coming from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which the city council raises from developers behind major schemes including Everards overlooking John Street.
The crypt of former mayor Hugh Browne (d. 1653) features recumbent effigies in front of which are kneeling figures of their son and four daughters
St John on the Wall burial ground as seen from John Street
“For us, it’s about providing a space for more inventive and exciting people to use that space,” said Sam Gregory, landlord of the nearby Bank Tavern and chair of the Old City Action Group.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity and I can’t believe anybody else has not done this before.
“It has taken us a long time to get to this point. There has been a lot of bureaucracy and a lot of meetings, but this will hopefully be a legacy for the city to have opened this space up.
“I think a lot of people will have walked past this unaware of what’s here.
The currently closed entrance to the graveyard is at the end of Taylors Court
Discover more hidden secrets of the Old City on a guided walk with Bristol24/7 Editor Martin Booth, with those taking part also receiving a copy of his bestselling guidebook, 111 Places in Bristol That You Shouldn’t Miss and a drink at Full Court Press. Book your place at www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
All photos: Martin Booth
Read more: Mind your p’s and q’s on the route of Bristol’s old town wall
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