Name: National Cemeteries Week: World War I at West Norwood Cemetery
Start: 2026-06-06T14:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-06-06T15:30:00+01:00
Location: West Norwood Cemetery

National Cemeteries Week: World War I at West Norwood Cemetery

Guided walk through one of London's Magnificent Seven with guides from the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery (£10 donation)
About this Event

The Friends of West Norwood Cemetery is a charity dedicated to the care and preservation of this extraordinary cemetery.

WWI Graves at West Norwood Cemetery

There are commemorations of over 600 service personnel fatal casualties from the First World War in West Norwood Cemetery. This walk, lasting some 2 hours, will visit 20 monuments, including those of several civilians, with the aim of discovering what these memorials tell us about the way the war was fought and the technological advancements that enabled the stalemate to be broken, as well as aspects of the human tragedies involved.

The walk will be led by the cemetery’s military historians, Dr Peter Hodgkinson and John Clarke. The itinerary will cover two-thirds of the cemetery and will leave the paths, so appropriate footwear is essential.

Their latest book, West Norwood Cemetery and the Second World War (2025), will be on sale, as will their earlier book, Norwood & The Great War: Reflections on Military & Social History (2022).

We will meet at the War Memorial in front of the arched (main) entrance for a prompt start. If you have any mobility concerns, please get in touch with me and I can advise. Unfortunately, dogs (even on leads) are not allowed in the cemetery.

West Norwood Cemetery (SE27 9JU) is located next to St Luke's Church and West Norwood Library. Buses: 2, 68, 196, 315, 322, 432 and 468 (several of these routes go via Brixton Tube Station: 2, 196, 322, 432) or West Norwood Station (trains to and from London Bridge/Victoria). Limited off-street parking is available.

TICKETS: This tour is being offered on behalf of The Friends of West Norwood Cemetery. Your £10 donation will help us to continue to preserve this very special space. Please note that Peter and John will be leading a tour of WWII graves on the same day at 10.30am. For anyone wishing to buy tickets for both tours, the second tour is half-price at £5. Please use the special booking link provided if you wish to attend both tours.