Colchester Cemetery
Mersea Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RU
Colchester Cemetery was opened in 1856 and originally covered about 30 acres, but was enlarged in 1940 to 67 acres. The cemetery contains two chapels, one Church of England and one Nonconformist. There are 65,000 people buried here including local industrialists, clergyman and politicians. One of the most unusual memorials is that to Mary Ann Wire who died in 1859. This is an obelisk which originally stood in Colchester High Street and was painted with mileages to London and other towns.
Among the notable military and naval graves in the cemetery is that of the seaman Isaac Pooley (1782-1872) who fought at The Battle of the Nile and at Trafalgar. The cemetery has 267 Commonwealth War Graves of the Great War and a further 114 from the Second World War. There is also an amazing collection of trees to be enjoyed by visitors.
The tour guides are Di Bignell and Sharon Mooney.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 21 September:
- Tours at 1000 and 1400
Location & directions
Mersea Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RU
- Directions:
- The meeting point is just inside the Cemetery gates next to the former Cemetery Office. This is the entrance near a speed camera on Mersea Road. The 'What Three Words' location is ///sharp.reject.target
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Most of the guided tour is carried out on hard level paths, but there are a few steeper sections.
Additional information
Everybody welcome, including accompanied children and well behaved dogs on leads.
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s)
