Friends of Witton Cemetery
Witton Cemetery
Witton Cemetery is a serene haven located in Perry Barr, Birmingham. Its 40 hectares
are well maintained, and planted with a varied assortment of trees, flowers
and shrubs. It provides a valuable refuge for wildlife, and it also has a wealth of great
historical connections.
The surrounding wall is a listed structure. Within the cemetery are two memorial gardens, and it is the final resting place for two Victoria Cross medal holders. Genealogists make extensive use of the cemetery and its records.
The Friends aim to preserve the Cemetery in a manner befitting its main function, while encouraging people to develop a wider appreciation of its history and its place within the community. They have recently engaged with the Prince's Trust to renovate a memorial garden dedicated to the civilian war dead. They have identified many other worthy and enjoyable projects, and they are always happy to involve local people, either as new Friends or as volunteers.
History of Witton Cemetery - In 1858, the newly constituted Burial Board for Birmingham obtained an order to close all the existing cemeteries in Birmingham, most of which were overcrowded. They advertised for a single, large plot of land, far enough outside the centre to avoid being quickly swallowed by the city's expansion. The following year, they obtained the current 40 hectare site at Witton, 4.5km from the city centre, on a west and south-facing slope overlooking the valley of the River Tame.
Contact Information
Phone: 0121 464 1869
Email: wittoncem@birmingham.gov.uk
Cemetery Office, Moor Lane, Witton, B6 7AE