Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance is a small memorial garden on Union Street in Southwark, near Borough and the Southbank. The burial ground holds more than 15,000 people, including paupers and women known as Winchester Geese, whose graves were left unmarked. Today, ribbons, photographs, poems and tributes line the garden, including a memorial to transgender people. Visit for a quiet moment and, if a volunteer is available, an introduction to the site’s history. The garden opens on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 pm.
A burial ground remembered
Crossbones began as an unconsecrated burial ground for people excluded from consecrated ground, including paupers and women known as Winchester Geese. More than 15,000 people are believed to be buried here. Their graves were unmarked, leaving few visible signs of the lives and deaths represented by the site.
The garden now commemorates those forgotten dead. Ribbons tied to the railings, photographs, poems and other offerings give the memorial a personal character. The grounds are maintained by volunteers, who can sometimes explain the history of Crossbones and the surrounding district.
Memorials and garden details
Take time to look at the tributes among the flowers, including a statue dedicated to transgender people. A green man shrine and a hei-tiki are also present. The curved wooden entrance is shaped to represent a goose’s wing, a reference to the site’s history.
Crossbones is a quiet place for reflection in a busy part of Southwark. The garden is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 pm; the shrine is described as accessible at other times. Check the official website before planning around a visit. Volunteer-led tours can add context, and donations help support the people caring for the site.
Häufige Fragen
When is Crossbones Graveyard open?
The garden opens Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 pm. Check the official website before visiting.
How long do you need at Crossbones Graveyard?
A short visit of about 15 to 30 minutes is enough to look around the garden and its memorials.
What is Crossbones Graveyard?
It is a memorial garden on the site of an unconsecrated burial ground in Southwark, where more than 15,000 people are believed to be buried.
Is there an admission charge?
Admission is free. Donations support the volunteers who maintain the garden.
