The Magnificent Seven Part III: Brompton to Kensal Green (11km or 7mi)

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Download Map and Directions of The Magnificent Seven (Part 3): Brompton to Kensal Green

Introduction

Frederick Leyland was one of the largest ship 

owners at the end of the 19th century, 

Brompton Cemetery

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the third in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.

This walk is the third part in a series of seven, an ambitious plan to connect the Magnificent Seven. The walk starts at Brompton Cemetery and ends at Kensal Green Cemetery. Mainly following the roads, it leads you from West London to North West London and shows the transformation of West London from a very affluent area with parks only accessible to local residents into a rather industrial in which we will find the Paddington Branch.



Getting There
Start:
District Line: West Brompton or Earl's Court
Transport along the way:
Holland Park (Central Line) or Ladbroke Grove (Hammersmith & City Line)
End:
Kensal Green (Bakerloo Line) or follow the Paddington Branch (canal) about 1 mile eastwards to Westbourne Park (Hammersmith & City Line)

Map and Directions (Download PDF)
The numbers below correspond with the numbers on the PDF-version of the map

1. West Brompton Cemetery: As a woman, of course, I have to point out the grave of Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragette movement, formed in 1903, who fought for womens' right to vote. The members were known as political activists, not afraid to damage properties, attack police men and chain themselves to railings. A memorial of Emmeline Pankhurst can be found at Victoria Gardens. Maureen Freely dedicated a walk with an inspiring story to the Suffragette Movement in The Time Out London Walks: Volume 2.

2. Holland Park, Holland House and the Kyoto Gardens. 

3. Pottery Lane: Now a very scenic quiet little road in a very affluent area, it used to be a slum and was named the 'Potteries and Piggeries' and had as it name suggest a source of thick clay for bricks and many pig keepers. (Source: Wikipedia). It is from this point on you will see West London transform into a less well kept and industrial area with busy roads and many rail tracks.

4. Carmelite Monastery Gardens and St Charles Hospital: The Carmelite Monastery is a monastery for sisters who lead a secluded life right next to St Charles Hospital. It is said the sisters only leave the monastery for the doctor or the dentist. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the gardens but it is well fenced by high walls and even through the gate nothing can be seen from the outside. Michael Whyte, a film director who lives nearby, got so intrigued by what was going on beyond the walls that he tried to persuade the nuns to make a film about their lives. Besides from priest, no men where allowed on the premises and it took the film-maker 10 years to finally get their agreement, resulting in the film 'No Greater Love' (2010).

5. We end our walk via Wormwood Scrubs onto Paddington Branch, keeping Kensal Green cemetery on the other side of the canal. The west side of the cemetery is the active part of the cemetery so it is more appropriate to use the main entrance on the east side leading straight into the old part of the Cemetery.

Emmeline Pankhurst, Brompton Cemetery

Chapel of Brompton Cemetery

Holland Park

Kyoto Gardens at Holland Park

St Charles Hospital

Wormwood Scrubs

Arrival at Kensal Green Cemetery via Paddington Branch

Links and Drinks
Download Map and Directions of The Magnificent Seven (Part 3): Brompton to Kensal Green
http://www.brompton-cemetery.org/
http://www.kensalgreencemetery.com/
Holland Park
Carmelite Monastery Gardens

Film of Michael Whyte about the Carmelite Monastery:
Michael Whyte, 'No Greater Love' (Film; 2010)

Book of the Magnificent Seven:
BookTurpin, John and Knight, Derrick. The Magnificent Seven, London's first landscaped cemeteries (Amberley Publishing).

'The Suffragette City' Walk, narrated by Maureen Freely
The Time Out London Walks: Volume 2. (Time Out)