Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park — Attraction in London

My favourite place in London to go, a real gem in the middle of busy east London. Summary: dog friendly, family friendly, no toilets.

A quiet place about 5 minutes from Mile End or Bow Road. Very dog friendly, family friendly, with main gravel paths circling the park but smaller dirt paths to explore in between. Plenty of open spaces amongst the trees, and lots of surprises on the way; wooden seating areas tucked amongst the trees, tree stumps, wooden ‘huts’, wildlife galore, cute dogs. Oh, and plenty of gravestones!

The gravestones line the paths but it doesn’t feel eerie; strangely peaceful, and a great place for a summer amble or a winter dog walk. Absolutely brilliant for connecting with dog owners. Plenty of dog poo bins and benches and I’ve never not found somewhere to sit. Very little litter too. Events held here often; The summer festival is fab and there are frequent local history tours. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park do a phenomenal job looking after the park and showcasing wildlife and nature trails, and putting on activities on a regular basis.

Do note in case you are caught short: no...

One of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries of London, and it’s easy to see why. Compared to the other members of the seven, it’s more akin to a public park than a cemetery, with dog walkers and people chatting on well maintained park benches. It’s generally busier, and has a feel that it is used more than just a visiting/resting place for the dead.

The gravesites themselves are largely overgrown and unkempt (similar to Nunhead/West Noorwood), which adds to the aesthetic and charm of the place. The trees and overgrowth that cling to and throw over the ancient gravestones remind you that we won’t own our physical essence forever, and that dust returns to the dust. It is certainly more interesting than your average clean and sterile burial-ground. There are even small pathways through the trees that pass over old stones/graves, which can be slightly disconcerting.

In short, there are less famous or interesting individual graves to visit compared to the other magnificent seven, but it’s still a relaxing place to come for some peace. It’s a great place to go and explore for a while (or...

This is my favourite diversion route for going home the long way. There are many pathways and it can be confusing but they all lead somewhere. As a local, I have walked through on my own for many years, including when I was cutting through on my way to the child minder's, pushing a buggy. There are quite a few dog walkers when the weather is ok, so you can feel seclusion seclusion without actually being alone. Some people enjoy sitting on one of the benches to read a book in peace. This place is a really well managed nature reserve and a great local asset. I expect many locals don't dare to go in, or maybe don't realise quite what it is when they go past one of the entrances - but spooky it is not! Look it up online and the map will help. It's quite big and you might worry if you go round in circles. The dirt track paths are really well maintained, so wear shoes appropriate for walking in the day's weather, allowing for mud if it's wet. Be aware also that there are no public...