Is there anything more touching than a final resting place for beloved pets? Welcome to the Hyde Park Pet Cemetery. This poignant corner of Hyde Park offers a glimpse into Victorian London’s sentimental side.
Established in 1881, this pet cemetery began quite by accident. It all started with Cherry, a Maltese terrier. Cherry belonged to the children of Mr. and Mrs. J. Lewis Barned. The family frequented Hyde Park and befriended Mr. Winbridge. Winbridge was the gatekeeper at Victoria Lodge.
When Cherry passed away from old age, the Barned family asked Mr. Winbridge a favor. Could they bury Cherry in the back garden of Victoria Lodge? This was Cherry’s favorite spot. Winbridge agreed and “Poor Cherry” was laid to rest. Her tiny tombstone still stands.
Soon after, Prince, a Yorkshire terrier owned by the Duke of Cambridge, met an untimely end. He was struck by a carriage. The Duke had Prince buried next to Cherry. This royal connection sparked the cemetery’s popularity. Wealthy Londoners sought to bury their beloved companions here.
Mr. Winbridge usually conducted the burial ceremonies himself. The pet owners were often too overcome with grief. They couldn’t bear to witness the final farewell. In one heartbreaking case, Lord Petre sent his dog for burial in 1892. He promised to attend the ceremony the following morning. Sadly, Lord Petre passed away that very night, unable to survive the loss.
The Hyde Park Pet Cemetery is filled with touching inscriptions. “Dear Impy – Loving and Loved”. “Alas. Poor Zoe”. “Darling Dolly – my sunbeam, my consolation, my joy”. These words reflect the deep affection owners felt for their animals.
One curious resident was Topper. Topper was the Hyde Park police station’s fox terrier. According to reports, Topper met an unfortunate end due to overeating.
The cemetery wasn’t just for dogs. It also holds the remains of cats, birds, and even three small monkeys. Names like Spot, Muffin, and Ruby adorn the headstones. Others are more unusual like Bogie, Smut, and Fattie. One grave simply reads “Scum”.
The Hyde Park Pet Cemetery closed in 1903 due to lack of space. By then, it held over 300 interments. Despite its small size, it captured the public’s imagination. Even George Orwell visited. He described it as “Perhaps the most horrible spectacle in Britain.”
Today, The Royal Parks charity owns and maintains the site. It is not generally open to the public. You can sometimes catch a glimpse through the railings near Victoria Gate. The cemetery serves as a unique reminder of the bond between humans and their animal companions. It reminds us how deeply pets can touch our lives.