 The first burial in Southam Road Cemetery, Banbury, took place on 27th March 1858 (a Mary Turner, aged 9 months). Since then, many thousands of burials have taken place, with more than 16,000 graves occupying an area of approximately 8.5 hectares (21 acres). There is an ‘old’ section, consisting of burials from 1858 up until about the early sixties; a ‘lawned’ section from that time onwards; a separate children’s section; a cremated remains burial area; and a traditionally maintained Commonwealth War Graves Commission site.
Apart from many memorials of historic and architectural interest, provided over the years by many of Banbury’s prominent families, the cemetery has also benefited from the judicious planting of many fine specimen trees. This all contributes towards giving Southam Road Cemetery a unique atmosphere and feel, seldom found in the more modern (and mainly lawned) cemeteries.
In addition to a fine old Victorian Cemetery Superintendent’s Lodge (with 48 graves in the garden!) and the site and foundations of an abandoned chapel, there are many instances of fine Gothic and other period architecture. These include a number of smaller copies of the well known ‘Banbury Cross’, the best of these being the vaulted York Stone Ball Memorial. This is close to the site of the Old Chapel and its maintenance is conditionally tied in perpetuity to the People’s Park in Banbury.  The park, near to the main ‘Banbury Cross’ in the centre of town, was given to the people of Banbury on condition that the Ball Memorial is maintained in good condition in perpetuity. Failure to do so would result in the loss of the use of the park for the people of Banbury.
Although the cemetery is now notionally full, we have a new cremated remains (ashes) burial section, providing up to 250 plots, and also a columbarium has been installed in this section to offer an alternative for ashes.
Cremated Remains plots can be pre-purchased for future use. Please contact us for charges and an application form.
 
April 2008 in the snow
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