Bunhill Fields is a rare park within the City of London where workers eat lunches or pass through to get from City Road to Whitecross Street.
It was once a wooded area where bowmen and arches would use the area for target practice.
Bunhill (Bone Hill) Fields became a burial ground from 1665 to the 1850’s with over 120,000 skeletons squeezed within four acres, laid on top of each other as was the custom before Victorian-era cemeteries like Kensal Green.
Here lies various famous people such as William Blake and Daniel Defoe and their stone memorials are accessible on the path.
After world war two bombing the graves were smashed and Bunhill turned into a garden. Headstones were kept and some re-in scripted where possible. Iron railings were put in place to keep walkers on the path as the crowded headstones on the green lawn has no room to walk around.
The obelisk memorial for Daniel Defoe (1661 – 1731), the author of Robinson Crusoe has this written on it:
“This monument is the result of an appeal in the “Christian World” newspaper to the boys and girls of England for funds to place a suitable memorial upon the grave of Daniel Defoe. It represents the united contributions of seventeen hundred persons. Sept 1870”
Upon William Blake’s simple memorial:
“Nearby lie the remains of the poet-painter William Blake 1757 – 1827 and of his wife Catherine Sophia 1762 – 1831”
Bunhill Fields is a guaranteed place to see wild squirrels who pose for photos as they try con you for food scraps. It is a relatively quiet spot to rest although the pathway can be busy with shortcut walkers with mobile phones attached to their heads.
Where:
38 City Road, London
Tube:
Old Street or Bank
DKJ's Walkabout 