Watling Street Burial Ground
Opening times:
8am – 7pm 1st April – 1st October
8am – 4pm October – March
Vehicle access gates close at 4pm all year round
A portion of land in Watling Street was originally acquired in 1900 by the Dartford Urban District Council for the purposes of a burial ground for its local residents.
Three and a half acres of the ten acre site were consecrated by the Bishop of Rochester in 1909, and the traditional Victorian Chapel was erected in 1913.
The cemetery was officially opened in 1914; the first burial being James Duggan on Tuesday 7 April that year.
Watling Street Cemetery is typical of many early 20th Century cemeteries and features a variety of mature trees and shrubs in a formal setting.
Within its grounds is a World War II Civilian War Grave memorial erected in May 1949 remembering the many civilian citizens who died during the war and laid to rest on the site from 1940 onwards.
James Smith VC is buried in Watling Street Cemetery. He was awarded the Victoria Cross whilst serving with the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) during the Mohmand campaign in India September 1897.
The Cemetery is maintained to a high standard with a regular mowing regime, newly planted ornamental rose beds and colourful bedding schemes.
To date there are approximately 11,000 graves; the Cemetery has burial provision for the purchase of new graves up until 2016, based on current burial figures, however, the Cemetery capacity has been extended by the provision of The Garden of Remembrance which will accommodate the interment of an additional 300 Cremated Remains.
In October 2006 The Watling Street Garden of Remembrance was opened by Councillor Jeremy Kite, Leader of the Council creating a much needed place in which to remember loved ones.
