Bunhill Fields in its true sense is not a Cemetery, as this site was established for non conformists it is therefore known as a burial ground.
 
Established in 1685 Bunhill covers only 4 acres but is home to an amazing 120,000 bodies including some of the most famous non conformists in history.
 
With it's shady corners and crumbling stonework Bunhill has got to be one of the most atmospheric  burial grounds in existence. To preserve and for safety reasons much of Bunhill is enclosed by iron railings and locked gates. This in no way detracts from the charm and atmosphere as there is normally a very helpful attendant who is very happy to unlock the gates and show you the most interesting graves. In our case he also left us to wander around in our own time taking photos.

Famous Residents
 
William Blake (1757-1827) and his wife Catherine (1762-1831) - William Blake wrote some of the best known poetry in the English language, and was a graphic artist of great talent producing drawings, paintings and engravings.

John Owen (1616- 1683) - John Owen was a leading Independent minister. He was a man of exceptional learning and a passion for defending the Christian faith. He rose to the position of  Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. When the monarchy was restored, Owen's views meant that he was removed from his deanery at Christ Church, Oxford. For the rest of his life, his preaching was outside the Church of England, much of it at the Mark Lane Independent Chapel in London.

Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) - Bunhill Fields is literally just across the road from the home of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and there is now a Wesleyan Chapel and Museum alongside. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is himself buried in the chapel.

Daniel Defoe (1661-1731) - Daniel Defoe was born Daniel Foe, adopting the "de" in middle age because of the impression it created. Though primarily remembered as a writer - for Robinson Crusoe in particular - Daniel followed a quite varied career, at various times being a soldier, a clothing salesman, a tile-maker and even a government secret agent.

John Bunyan (1628 -1688) Bunyan's monument is possibly the most elaborate in Bunhill Fields, carrying not only an effigy of the man himself, but also bas-reliefs of scenes inspired by his great Christian allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress. However  the effigy was only added to the tomb in 1862 while the tomb was being restored. The Earl of Shaftesbury was in charge of the project, and the money for the work was raised by public subscription.

Isaac Watts (1674 -1748) - Isaac Watts was one of the most prolific hymn writers in the English language as well as being one of  the first. Before hymns, people sang psalms in churches, and many of Watts hymns are paraphrases of one or more psalms.

Travel

Bunhill Fields is situated off City Road in London's financial district, the nearest tube station is "Old Street" on the Northern Line.