Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, is
also known as Three Close Lane Cemetery. It was opened, and consecrated by
the Bishop of Lincoln, in 1842 when the churchyard at St Peter's church reached capacity and burials
were no longer permitted. An acre of land was donated for the purpose by the Countess of Bridgewater
with a further tier of land extending the Cemetery in 1921.
Today the Cemetery is no longer in use as by the 1940's
much of the capacity was used and a new Cemetery (Kingshill)
was opened in 1947.
In May 2013 "The Friends of St Peter's" was formed and one of it's aims was to transform the Rectory
Lane Cemetery into an attractive public amenity. On Heritage weekend in September 2014 the
Cemetery was opened for the day with various activities, live music, exibitions and proposals for
the future.
The Cemetery is formed of two tiers set in a hillside
with attractive views over Berkhamsted. The lower tier contains
some impressive monuments which over the years have blended with nature in
a romantic state of decay.
The photos below were taken on the Heritage Open Day,
14th September 2014.
