Sheffield General Cemetery is six hectares of tranquil parkland just west of the city centre.
It is bounded by the Porter Brook and Cemetery Road.
Sheffield City Council has looked after the Cemetery since the 1980’s. This is after an Act of Parliament was passed in 1979 deconsecrating the site and creating a public park.
The Cemetery’s imposing monuments, serpentine paths and neo-classical and Egyptian revival inspired buildings make it a fascinating place to visit any day, year-round.
Features
The site consists of two distinct areas:
- an Anglican area to the east developed by landscape designer Robert Marnock
- the original Nonconformist area to the west, designed by local architect Samuel Worth in the Gardenesque style
The General Cemetery is designated Grade II* on Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens. This highlights its national importance.
With over 86,000 burials, there are many stories of Sheffield’s diverse heritage to discover. From confectioners to activists, from entertainers to industry workers.
The Cemetery is also a Local Nature Reserve with a rich wildlife refuge. Parts of the Cemetery are deliberately informal to maximise the benefit to wildlife.
The Council works closely with the staff and volunteers from Sheffield General Cemetery Trust (SCGT) to care and conserve the history and wildlife interest.
SGCT leases the Gatehouse which is used as an office. They deliver several of activities and events both on site and at the Samuel Worth Chapel.
Recent projects
Sheffield City Council was awarded over £3 million from the joint National Lottery Heritage Fund/National Lottery Community Fund Parks for People Programme.
It was part of a four-year £3.8 million programme of investment to safeguard Sheffield General Cemetery Park. The project, completed in 2023, has protected and enhanced the Cemetery as a heritage rich, biodiverse, public park.
As part of the interpretation for the project, a trail of nine significant sights that communicate the Cemetery’s significant history can be explored on site or online at your leisure.
Admission
There is no admission charge, and the Sheffield General Cemetery is always open.
For opening times for the Gatehouse Office, please go to visit General Cemetery.
Location
The main entrance to the General Cemetery is the Gatehouse on Cemetery Avenue (S11 8NT), just off Ecclesall Road.
There are also entrances at Montague Street (S11 8FQ), from Stalker Walk alongside the Porter Brook (River) and Cemetery Road at the Anglican Chapel and a little further up at the Egyptian Gate.
Getting there
By public transport
There are regular buses from the city centre to Ecclesall Road.. which is a short walk to the Gatehouse entrance off Cemetery Avenue. See Travel South Yorkshire for more details.
Park and Ride
There are several Park and Ride facilities throughout the city. Timetables are on Travel South Yorkshire.
By car
Parking is available on adjacent streets off Cemetery Avenue and near to the Montague Street entrance. However this is limited, and restrictions may apply.
There is a disabled car parking space at the Gatehouse entrance off Cemetery Avenue.
There is an accessible toilet at the Gatehouse which is currently available on the days when the Gatehouse is open.
There is a toilet and kitchen area at the Samuel Worth Chapel. It is available for the use of visitors who have booked the Chapel for an event.
By bike
Cycling is allowed within of the site. Where there are steep paths and narrow sections, cyclists are encouraged to dismount and to give way to pedestrians at all times.
Dogs
Sheffield General Cemetery welcomes dogs. Please ensure your dog is always under control and clear up after your pet using the bins provided.
Facilities and Features
Accessibility
The Cemetery is built into a steep hillside and some paths exceed a gradient of 1:12. Recent restoration works has improved the accessibility of pathways, but uneven cobbles and short flights of steps can be found on some routes. In most cases, an alternative, shallower route is available. A tactile map can be found at the Gatehouse.