Pet Cemetery, Hyde Park, London
Pet Cemetery, Hyde Park London
Jack the Dandy: A Sportsman & A Pal
Perhaps the happiest little graveyard in England, this pet cemetery is tucked away in a hidden corner of Hyde Park and offers a glimpse into the Victorians’ love for their pets. Most people walk past this small plot behind the gatehouse, but peering through the iron fence and hedges that surround the cemetery reveals hundreds of tiny headstones dating back to the 1800s. Though no longer active, this secret garden holds over 1,000 graves belonging to departed dogs, cats, birds, and even a few monkeys, all once beloved companions of the wealthy Victorians of London.
The history of the site goes back to the late 19th century, when a servant of the Duke of Cambridge, Mr Winbridge, became the gatekeeper of Victoria Lodge located at the edge of the park. In 1881, a little Maltese terrier named Cherry was the first to be buried in the lodge's garden after his owners asked Mr Winbridge for him to rest "in the spot he had loved so well in life." Soon after, Prince, the Duke’s own dog, who died near the park, was also buried there, thus starting a trend among the local wealthy Victorians who resided in the area, and forever transforming the gatekeeper’s private garden into the little pet cemetery that can be seen today.
Some of the pets that rest in the Hyde Park cemetery include "Topper the Copper," a notoriously naughty fox terrier police dog who apparently died of overeating, and Ba-Lu, a dog whose headstone claims he was "murdered by a cruel Swiss" in 1899, the story of which, unfortunately, only Ba-Lu could tell. They lie alongside other beloved pets with inscriptions testament to their owners' affection, like "Poor Dear Tappy" and "Jack the Dandy," who was "both a sportsman and a pal." Today, they’re all still resting in peace among the bluebells and greenery of the park they had loved so much in life.
Jack the Dandy; A Sportsman and a Pal. Grave at the Pet Cemetery, Hyde Park London
The Grim Origins of Speakers' Corner
Pet graves aren’t the only thing of interest in Hyde Park. While strolling the tree-lined paths of this sprawling London park, you’ll likely come across an area known today as Speaker’s Corner. Now hosting a snack kiosk bearing the same name, historically, this part of the park has been an area dedicated to public free speech, where open debate is encouraged, and any topic is welcome. It has seen the likes of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and George Orwell and even today, comes alive on Sunday afternoons, drawing in crowds to listen and engage in whatever the daily topic may be.
But why was this particular site chosen as a place for free speech among the people of London? Originally the site of an old Roman road junction, this important crossroads served as an execution site all the way back to the 12th century. And by 1571, the site officially became home to the notorious Tyburn Tree, a massive triangular gallows capable of hanging up to 24 prisoners simultaneously. Throughout the centuries, over 50,000 people met their end at this corner, from murderers to pickpockets, and also a few celebrities like Thomas Culpeper, executed for his infamous affair with Catherine Howard, and Oliver Cromwell, though in Cromwell's case, he was already dead and dug up just to be hanged publicly. But no matter who was on the scaffold, the hangings drew massive crowds. It was one of the major social events of the time with food stalls and souvenir sellers lending to a carnival-like atmosphere. People came from wide and far to attend the executions, but also to hear the last words of the condemned. It was this final right to speak to the masses that birthed the tradition of Speakers’ Corner forevermore.
Plaque marking the site of the Tyburn Tree, London
Top Tips
Getting There: The Pet Cemetery is located next to the Victoria Gate entrance of Hyde Park, off Bayswater Road, just behind the gatehouse at the entrance. The closest tube station is Lancaster Gate. The cemetery is not open to the public normally, but you can see it by peering through the fence and hedges that surround the private garden of the gatehouse.
Tours: If you want more than just a peep through the fence, then the Pet Cemetery can be visited by joining a popular Hidden Stories of Hyde Park Walking Tour. This guided tour takes you through Hyde Park and ends with a visit to the pet cemetery. The walking tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and includes entertaining stories of the park’s history. You can book online at https://www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/major-events-royal-parks for one of their monthly tours in advance, with a cost of 15 pounds per person.