A Cambridge Necropolis: The Ascension Burial Ground
Ascension Parish Burial Ground, All Souls Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0EA
It’s been called ‘Britain’s Brainiest Cemetery’. The Ascension Burial Ground is one of Cambridge’s best kept secrets. There’s more IQ lying in this acre than most others. Explore the history of the University amid the academics’ gravestones. This is the burial place of one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century, Ludwig Wittgenstein; of three Nobel prizewinners (who split the atom, identified vitamins, and decoded haemoglobin); of the discoverer of the planet Neptune; of founding figures in economics and anthropology, psychology and criminology; of the astrophysicist who demonstrated Einstein’s theory; of a clutch of Darwins; and of women pioneers in higher education: in all, 90 people with entries in Britain’s Dictionary of National Biography. The Ascension is also a veritable ‘alphabet museum’ of exquisite lettering artistry. 225 species of trees and plants have been recorded.
Tour guide: Professor Mark Goldie, historian, Fellow of Churchill College. The tour is an event offered by the Friends of the Ascension Burial Ground.
Timings & Tours
- Tuesday 16 September:
- 1430-1530
Location & directions
Ascension Parish Burial Ground, All Souls Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0EA
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- All ages
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-cambridge-necropolis-the-ascension-burial-ground-tickets-1537620126189?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Booking opens:
- 10 Aug 2025 10:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 16 Sep 2025 04:00 PM
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 25
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
