Ford Park Cemetery: One of Plymouth’s natural gems.

Introducing a new voice to Plymouth Culture’s Community Reporting team, Thomas Bray brings a fresh perspective on the city’s hidden heritage gems. In his first article, he explores Ford Park Cemetery—a Victorian-era burial ground that serves as both a place of remembrance and a haven for nature. From its fascinating history to its thriving wildlife, Thomas invites readers to take a closer look at this remarkable site, where Plymouth’s past and present come together in unexpected and beautiful ways.

Tucked away behind Mutley and Peverell, and bordered by a stone wall at the edge of Central Park, Ford Park Cemetery is a 34.5-acre Victorian-era burial ground where history and nature intertwine in spectacular fashion.

For many, Ford Park Cemetery holds deep personal significance, serving as the final resting place of loved ones. So while visitors are welcome to explore its rich history and natural tranquility, above all, it’s an active cemetery and a place of remembrance and quiet reflection.

For others, Ford Park Cemetery might be simply a well-trodden cut-through, linking the outskirts of the town centre with Peverell, Central Park, and beyond. But for those who take the time to stop, or take a slow wander through, Ford Park Cemetery reveals itself as much more than just a shortcut. 

Nature’s calling 

Joshua Parrett / Instagram @jtparrett

At certain vantage points within the cemetery, especially in the sunnier months, you might momentarily forget you’re even in Plymouth. The horizon of trees lining the bottom of Central Park forms a lush, almost forest-like backdrop, while within the grounds themselves, you can discover flora, fauna and wildlife that’s rare to find in the heart of a city.

Stay for long enough, and you might see rabbits darting up the grassy mounds. You may start to question the size of the crow you just saw - which is actually just ‘Big Boy’ - one of the resident ravens. As you sit back on the bench, don’t get too relaxed, as you might get rudely interrupted by the startling call of a pheasant. You might even want to get up and investigate that laughing yaffle, which is likely the green woodpecker, who likes to flit between gravestones and forage for insects on the ground.

If you’re especially lucky, you might get to experience the unlikely friendship between a neighbouring family and a certain bird of prey. Don’t be alarmed if you spot raw chicken legs. That’s just lunch for the local buzzards, who frequently soar above the cemetery grounds and the area of Barn Park. 

Original image by Tom Bray

Just before the sun goes down, the cemetery transforms into a gathering place for birds across the city. Each evening, a mini-migration unfolds, as flocks make their way to the cemetery’s trees. Magpies square off against parakeets, while hundreds of jackdaws take to the sky in synchronised, swirling formations. Last year, the big shed at the bottom of the cemetery was  home to a pair of tawny owls, who occasionally made themselves known after dark.

And that’s just the birds, not to mention the foxes, badgers, bats, the symphony of crickets and the diversity of insects that fill the summer air. It’s an oxymoron of sorts, but the cemetery is vibrant with life. A pocket of wilderness away from the city hum.

When you’re not seeing and hearing, you might be smelling, as wild garlic thrives in the shadier parts of the cemetery. And although well-maintained and cared for, certain sections of the cemetery offer scenes of untouched floral beauty. During the spring months, wildflowers bloom, weaving their way through trees and gravestones, and dotting the landscape with bursts of colour.

Historical interests

Beyond its natural beauty, the cemetery is steeped in history and intrigue. From fascinating stories of bygone eras to tragic tales of those lost in the wars, you don’t have to go far to uncover the past. Nearly every gravestone holds a story, and with each step, the layers of history come to life.

Joshua Parrett / Instagram @jtparrett

Ford Park Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 750 service members from the First World War alone, 200 of whom are laid to rest in a dedicated naval plot. The cemetery also holds 198 war graves from the Second World War. In the older burial section near the Grade II-listed Victorian chapel, large circular vaults stand as a reminder of the past—some still bearing the scars of air raids from World War II.

Joshua Parrett / Instagram @jtparrett

Among the cemetery’s notable graves are two Victoria Cross recipients, including Captain Andrew Henry, the first member of the Royal Artillery to receive a VC honor during the Crimean war. Other distinguished figures include Ann Farley, creator of Farley’s Rusks, and Mabel Ramsay, Plymouth’s pioneering female surgeon.

Literacy and entertainment is also represented, with Ford Park Cemetery being the resting place of Jack Tripp, one of Britain’s most celebrated pantomime dames and the only performer awarded an MBE for ‘services to pantomime’. Rev. Stephen Hawker - author of The Song of the Western Men (also known as Trelawny), Cornwall’s patriotic anthem - is also buried within the grounds.

The cemetery is also home to sports history, with James Peters, the first Black rugby player to represent England, laid to rest here. Sergeant Bennett, Plymouth’s first policeman killed in the line of duty, is also buried here, as is Peter Grillage, a Russian orphan rescued from the Crimea by Florence Nightingale, whose remarkable journey led him to a final resting place in Plymouth.

For a more personal and in-depth insight into the cemetery’s history, keep an eye out for posters and leaflets detailing tours, exhibitions, and events. You can also pop into the visitor centre near to the chapel, where members of the Friends of Ford Park Cemetery and community volunteers are often available to share their knowledge. 

Get involved

Want to get involved? There’s plenty of ways you can! Visit the Ford Park Cemetery website for all updated services, events and news including Heritage and Nature Walks, Exhibitions and Displays. 

Written by Tom Bray @ Bray Copy.