Key Hill Cemetery

Key Hill Cemetery

Key Hill Cemetery, Hockley, formerly known as the General Cemetery was designed by Charles Edge, a prominent Birmingham architect of his day. It was laid out in 1835 and opened for burials in 1836. A massive wall, with cast iron gates and railings and heavy gate piers clad in Weoley Castle sandstone were created, along with a chapel, designed in the severe Greek revival style so favoured by non-conformists. The chapel has long since been demolished, but the wall, railings and piers were Grade II Listed in 1995, and the Friends of Key Hill Cemetery are dedicated to raising money for their restoration and future upkeep of the cemetery.


Key Hill was the first cemetery in Birmingham, and although non-conformist, it was open to all denominations. There are catacombs and a fine collection of monuments to be seen. Some of the most important 19C figures are buried at Key Hill, including the Rt Hon Joseph Chamberlain, Rev George Dawson, Alfred Bird, Joseph Gillott, Thomas Avery, Robert Lucas Chance, John Henderson and another famous architect, J H Chamberlain, creator of Highbury Hall.


Contact:

Tel:07799 040455

Email:dick.empson@btinternet.com

Website:Friends of Key Hill Cemetery


Detailed Information

Opening hours: Services:
  • The Cemetery is on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, just a short step from Soho House, a few minutes from both the Pen Room and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Church, and the soon-to-be-opened Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Works.
  • Both guided tours around the cemetery and talks can be arranged for a small fee.
How to get there: Parking:
  • The Jewellery Quarter rail station and the Metro are very close to hand.
  • Buses 74 and 79 from Birmingham City Centre pass the end of Key Hill.
  • Key Hill can be found next to the petrol station on Icknield Street, Hockley, near the junction with the A41.
    Find Key Hill Cemetery on multimap.com

  • During weekends there is a small car park in Key Hill itself, which is the small road running down the side of the Cemetery, but this is not available during weekdays. Weekday parking can be found in Pitsford Street and also in the Jewellery Quarter.

Other heritage attractions nearby:

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