Radnor Street Cemetery

Radnor Street Cemetery

Map showing location

How it came about

In 1870 the estate came onto the market and on a field called Gilberts Hill two roads were laid out, Dixon Street and Stafford Street.  Between 1877 - 1880 an extra 300 houses were built on the estate forming Albion Street, William Street, Clifton Street, Exmouth Street and Redcross Street (later changed to Radnor Street) this left an area of land unused in the middle. At the same time St. Marks Churchyard was rapidly filling up and the area formed by the new estates was designated to become a new cemetery for Swindon.

First burial

There are many important dignitaries buried within the cemetery ex-mayors and ex-bosses of the old Great Western Railway works, their prominence in society often mentioned on their memorials.  Many of the graves within the cemetery are un-purchased or pauper graves. These graves were used to bury people who were unable to afford to purchase a grave. The majority of interments in these graves were unrelated with no headstones to mark the grave.

Cemetery buildings

Directly in front of the chapel is a large war memorial erected in dedication of the memory of those who died in the two world wars. It consists of a large sandstone cross with a bronze sword running the length of the cross, it has an apt inscription and encompasses a seating area.  

In the far corner of the cemetery there is a small building which was used as a mortuary and served as a temporary store for coffin. No longer in use, it was used in the past as a storage area for equipment and is now boarded up.  

Soil structure

Opening Times

Further Information

Contact: Adam Bartoszewski – Superintendent and Registrar of Cemeteries and Crematorium.  Tel (01793) 822259

Radnor Street Cemetery, Radnor Street, Swindon, SN1 3PS.