Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields is one of London's most atmospheric yet surprisingly overlooked historic spaces, a tranquil garden cemetery tucked away in the heart of the City of London that serves as the final resting place for some of England's most influential nonconformist thinkers and writers. While thousands pass nearby on their daily commutes through the bustling streets of Old Street and City Road, relatively few venture through its gates to discover this remarkable repository of literary and religious history. The burial ground's special character derives from its association with Dissenters—those who rejected the established Church of England—making it a place where radical thought, religious conviction, and artistic genius converge in a setting that feels worlds away from the modern city pressing in on all sides.
The name Bunhill Fields derives from "Bone Hill," a reference to the cartloads of human remains allegedly brought here from St Paul's charnel house in 1549. The land was never consecrated by the Church of England, which made it particularly attractive to nonconformists who wished to be buried outside the established church's authority. Used as a burial ground from 1665 until 1854, Bunhill Fields became the principal cemetery for Dissenters, Baptists, Congregationalists, and other Protestant nonconformists during a period when they faced significant legal and social discrimination. Over the nearly two centuries of its use, approximately 120,000 people were interred here, though only a fraction of the graves are now marked or identifiable.
The roll call of notable figures buried at Bunhill Fields reads like a who's who of English nonconformist culture and literature. William Blake, the visionary poet and artist, lies here alongside John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim's Progress, and Daniel Defoe, creator of Robinson Crusoe. The cemetery also holds the remains of Isaac Watts, the "father of English hymnody" who wrote "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," and Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism. These connections make Bunhill Fields a pilgrimage site for those interested in the development of English literature, religious dissent, and the democratic traditions that emerged from nonconformist communities.
Today's visitors encounter a beautifully maintained garden cemetery where ancient plane trees shade gravel paths winding among weathered table tombs and upright monuments. The atmosphere is remarkably peaceful given the location's proximity to the Silicon Roundabout tech hub and the constant flow of traffic on City Road. Many of the oldest gravestones lean at precarious angles, their inscriptions worn smooth by centuries of London weather, while the most famous graves are marked by later monuments erected by admirers. The Corporation of London, which has managed the site since 1867, maintains the grounds as a public garden open during daylight hours, creating a space that serves equally well for quiet contemplation, lunchtime respite, or historical exploration.
The visitor experience at Bunhill Fields varies considerably depending on one's interests and awareness of the site's significance. Literary enthusiasts often make deliberate visits to pay respects at Blake's grave, marked by a simple stone placed by admirers in 1927, or Bunyan's prominent monument topped with a reclining bronze effigy. Office workers from the surrounding area use the benches and lawns for lunch breaks, sometimes entirely unaware of the illustrious company beneath their feet. Historians and genealogists come to trace family connections or research the social history of nonconformism in England. The Friends of Bunhill Fields, a volunteer organization, conducts regular guided tours that bring the cemetery's stories to life and reveal details easily missed by casual visitors.
Accessing Bunhill Fields is straightforward, with the main entrance located on City Road directly opposite Wesley's Chapel. The nearest Underground station is Old Street, served by the Northern Line and National Rail services, from which the cemetery is a five-minute walk. Alternatively, Moorgate station on the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, and Northern lines is about ten minutes away on foot. The burial ground is open daily from 8am until dusk, with seasonal variations in closing times. Entry is free, and the flat, paved paths make most of the site accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility limitations, though some sections with older monuments may be more challenging to navigate.
The immediate surroundings of Bunhill Fields offer several complementary attractions that make this corner of the City particularly rewarding for visitors interested in religious and social history. Directly across City Road stands Wesley's Chapel, the "Mother Church of World Methodism," completed in 1778 and still an active place of worship. The chapel's museum explores the lives and legacy of John and Charles Wesley and the Methodist movement they founded. Behind the chapel, Wesley's House preserves the domestic environment where John Wesley lived during his final years. In the opposite direction, the smaller Bunhill Fields extension provides additional green space and contains the grave of the poet and hymnist William Cowper's mother.
Within easy walking distance, visitors can explore the Honourable Artillery Company's grounds and museum, the oldest regiment in the British Army, or venture to the Barbican Centre, Europe's largest multi-arts venue, which offers a striking architectural contrast to Bunhill Fields' historic character. The area also benefits from its position on the edge of Shoreditch, meaning that independent cafes, restaurants, and shops are plentiful for those wanting refreshment before or after their visit. The Geffrye Museum (now the Museum of the Home) lies about fifteen minutes' walk to the northeast and provides fascinating insights into domestic life through the centuries.
Bunhill Fields represents a distinctive type of hidden gem—a place that hides in plain sight, its significance often recognized only by those who already know what they're looking for. While not exactly secret, it remains genuinely underappreciated given its extraordinary historical and literary associations. The burial ground offers something increasingly rare in central London: a space for quiet reflection that also pulses with the rebellious energy of the freethinkers, poets, and religious reformers who found their final rest here. For anyone interested in the roots of English literary tradition, the history of religious nonconformity, or simply seeking an unexpectedly serene corner of the city, Bunhill Fields richly rewards even a brief visit.