This is a place of peaceful remenberance therefore please respect the preservation of shared history.The construction of the cemetery began in 1856 at a time when space for burial plots in the grounds in local churchyards was beginning to run out.
The land acquired in Warren Hill Road was already in use as a graveyard for soldiers from the Duke of York's regiment previously based nearby in Old Barrack Road.

The walk covering the two hectares of undulating ground, along the labyrinth of meandering walkways, led  through an impressive gallery of trees, some deciduous, others conifers or palms several of which pre date the cemetery.
As the grounds took shape, many interesting additional varieties were planted by the adjoining nursery we know today as Notcutts.

 A total of 58 species and 166 individual trees originating from countries across the globe has been identified in a study conducted by Charlie Leeder during the recent period of Lockdown.
The collection features an gigantic 170 year old  Monterey Cypress - Compressus  needing the  outstretched arms of 9 members people to encircle its massive trunk.
Measuring 10.6 metres it has the largest girth of its species in Suffolk.  Another prize specimen is the spectacular Giant Sequoia or Redwood Pine originating in California.

 A municipal cemetery is not what usually springs to mind as a popular visitor attraction but this plot with its abundance of arboreal delights, together with a feast of birdsong, wildflowers,
fascinating monumental memorials and much more is well worth exploring at every season of the year.

Our grateful thanks to Doreen Bartlett for providing this information.