Rare Historic Burial Plot for Sale at Kensal Green Cemetery
Private unused plot in the same family since 1913.
Rare Historic Burial Plot for Sale at Kensal Green Cemetery
Private unused plot in the same family since 1913.
About Kensal 1913
Kensal Green Cemetery
Founded in 1833 and inspired by Père Lachaise in Paris, Kensal Green Cemetery was the first of London’s “Magnificent Seven” garden cemeteries. Encompassing 72 acres of tree-lined avenues and classical monuments, it is the final resting place of over 250,000 individuals, including members of the British royal family, renowned writers, artists, engineers, and political figures. The cemetery is a designated conservation area and offers a uniquely peaceful and prestigious setting.
Historical Provenance
In 1913, Glasgow artist William Cunningham Hector acquired this grave and its adjacent plot for the burial of his father, William Hector Sr.—a Scottish industrialist and former director of Fábrica de Tecidos Aliança in Rio de Janeiro, then the largest cotton mill in South America. While one plot was used, the second, Grave 43941, was set aside with the intention of establishing a family resting place.
William Cunningham Hector was later laid to rest in Scotland, and the family eventually settled in South Africa and Canada, the reserved grave remains unused—an enduring trace of a legacy that spans five generations.
A Distinguished Location
The plot lies directly beside the graves of William Hector (d. 1913) and Henry Oppenheim (d. 1913), a prominent 19th-century financier who played a pivotal role in assisting the British government with the purchase of shares in the Suez Canal Company. He also financed the construction of the Central Line for the London Underground Railway in the early 20th century — adding historical distinction to the burial site.
Prime Location
- Section 174, Row RS, Grave No. 43941
- Prestigious front-row position near a main pathway, surrounded by historic monuments and mature trees.
Generous Dimensions
- Oversized 4' x 9' plot – rare by today’s standards
- Modern plots are typically just 2.5' x 6.5', offering far less space and presence
Burial Rights in Perpetuity
- This is a historic freehold grave, secured in 1913
- New burials are offered only on 50-year leaseholds, renewable at additional cost
Private Sale
- Not available through the cemetery office
- A rare opportunity to acquire a family-owned, unused burial plot in London’s most iconic Victorian cemetery