Farnsfield – St Michael’s

About this Churchyard

St Michaels church dates from the C15th and is a grade 2 listed building.  It was rebuilt in 1860 by Thomas Hine. Only a fragment of the original tower survives.

Throughout its history there have been a number of extensions to the churchyard and in 1916 it was extended behind the church house.  There were 700 grave spaces  and In 1922 the war memorial was erected in the front  of the churchyard and this was restored in 1979 and tablets added with the names of the “fallen”.

In 1927 the Cash family reserved 3 spaces and 1929 the Hodgson Wilson family reserve 4 spaces and have impressive monuments. A garden of Rest was also added in 1979. There is also another garden of rest in front of the newly planted Summer flowering meadow

There are numerous benches in the churchyard and a new space has been created where people can sit and contemplate . This was set up post Covid and has proved very popular.

The churchyard is on 2 levels and the front churchyard has the oldest graves.  A central path with flower borders exists either side of the path and has numerous perennials and shrubs. There is a large cedar tree, yews and blackberry bushes.

In the Spring the cowslips adorn the front grassland and a special cowslip patch with a wicker Angel is cordoned off to escape the mower.

There are numerous English and Irish Yews in the back churchyard and an Indian Bean tree.

Paths cut through the woodland meadow at the back where spring bulbs such as bluebells, aconites, and star of Bethlehem flourish as well as carpets of primrose. Oxeye daisy, red and white campion, fox and cubs, yellow rattle, crown vetch and harebells bloom in the summer meadow.

Floral species St Michaels churchyard

Key Features

• Wildflower area
• Wildlife haven
• Peaceful space for quiet reflection
• Good accessibility
• Stones with stories
• Memorials with famous or infamous connections
• Fascinating monuments
• Lichen haven
• Great for fungi