Magnificent Seven

The "Magnificent Seven" is an informal term applied to seven large cemeteries in London. They were established in the 19th century to alleviate overcrowding in existing parish burial grounds.

The cemeteries
In 1832 Parliament passed a bill encouraging the establishment of private cemeteries outside London, and later passed a bill to close all inner London churchyards to new deposits. Over the next decade seven cemeteries were established:


 * Kensal Green Cemetery, 1832
 * West Norwood Cemetery, 1837
 * Highgate Cemetery, 1839
 * Abney Park Cemetery, 1840
 * Nunhead Cemetery, 1840
 * Brompton Cemetery, 1840
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery, 1841

In 1981 the architectural historian Hugh Meller dubbed the group of cemeteries "The Magnificent Seven" after the 1960 western film of the same name.

More information on the Wikipedia page