Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge facts for kids
Mill Road Cemetery is an old cemetery located near Mill Road in Cambridge, England. It's a special place that has been protected since 2001 as a Grade II Listed site. This means it's important for its history and architecture. Many of the old tombs here are also protected because they are historically or architecturally interesting.
The cemetery was created in 1848. Before that, the land was a cricket ground. It was set up as a place for burials for 13 city parishes because their churchyards were full. A chapel designed by George Gilbert Scott used to be here, but it was taken down in 1954. Today, you can see an outline of the chapel made from carved stone. This outline was finished in 2017 as a memorial and a way to remember the chapel. No new burials happen here anymore. The City Council now looks after the cemetery.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission also maintains the graves of 33 soldiers from World War I and 4 from World War II. These are people who served their country.
You can get into the cemetery from Mill Road, Norfolk Street, or through the industrial area on Gwydir Street.
Nature and Wildlife in the Cemetery
Mill Road Cemetery is not just a burial ground; it's also a special place for nature. It's listed as a City Wildlife Site. This means it's home to many different kinds of plants and animals. Over 110 types of plants have been found here, including some that show the land has been undisturbed for a long time.
The cemetery is also a home for many animals. More than 35 types of birds have been seen here, along with 23 kinds of butterflies. Several mammals also live in the cemetery, including the European dormouse and the weasel. It's a great spot to see local wildlife!
Art in the Cemetery
In February 2014, a unique art piece called Bird Stones was placed in the cemetery. This artwork was created by Gordon Young. It has one wooden column and six stone columns. The art celebrates the different bird species that live in the cemetery and their beautiful songs.
Notable People Buried Here
Many interesting people are buried at Mill Road Cemetery. Here are a few of them:
- Arthur Cayley (1821–1895) was a very important mathematician. He made many contributions to the field of mathematics.
- James Challis (1803–1882) was an astronomer. Astronomers are scientists who study stars, planets, and space.
- John Willis Clark (1833–1910) was a university administrator and an antiquary. An antiquary is someone who studies old objects and history.
- George Garrett (1834–1897) was an organist and a composer. He wrote music and played the organ.
- Thomas Hayward (1835–1876) was a famous cricketer. His father, Daniel Hayward, who was also a cricketer, is buried here too.
- Daniel MacMillan (1813–1857) was a publisher. He helped start the well-known publishing company, Macmillan Publishers.
- James Rattee (1820–1855) was a skilled woodcarver and mason. His tomb is also a protected historical site.
- Robert Sayle (1816–1883) was an enterprising retailer. He was known for his successful business ventures.
- Sir George Stokes, 1st Baronet (1819–1903) was a physicist. Physicists study how the world works, from tiny particles to the whole universe.
