East Hill Cemetery, Dartford
We are compiling this directory of flowery burial grounds from across the UK, which we would recommend visiting if you are looking for a well managed site rich in wildlife and heritage. Burial grounds can have a rich array of plants, animals and fungi, and may contain the only surviving area of flower-rich grassland in a parish. All the sites listed here contain this habitat. To see the flowers at their best, late May to mid or end of July is usually the most suitable time to visit. However, do contact the site managers for more specific timings before you visit if this is important to you.
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East Hill Cemetery is a small south facing closed cemetery with chalky soils, semi-improved calcareous grassland and parkland exhibiting many large veteran trees.
The site has been disturbed many times throughout history due to the land-use type. There are many undulations where the ground has sunk and settled throughout the years, after graves and burial sites were dug into the land. There are many graves without head stones that now give large areas for wildflower meadow creation.
The Dartford Borough Councils Countryside team aim is to increase the pollination corridors by improving the nature network across the borough. East Hill Cemetery is a site where the creation of a small wildlife area is helping to increase species richness and abundance through wildflower meadows.
After years of intensive land management as a cemetery, the site is now being managed to promote wildlife and biodiversity. Yellow rattle is being sown to open up the grass swards; to increase in species richness, and to reduce and control the abundance of Cocksfoot and Yorkshire fog. In the parkland area of site, ground flora diversity is reduced, predominantly English Ivy, due to the shade of the ancient and veteran trees; it is still great habitat for invertebrates, and further habitat piles are being created. There is a good variety of chalk herbs including Lesser and Greater Knapweed, Spear Thistle, Ladies Bedstraw, Biting Stonecrop and White stonecrop to name a few. With the jewels sparking through the grasses; the pyramidal orchids and large swathes of ox-eye daisies.
There are a number of mature trees at the site, with Yew, Beech and Sweet Chestnut being the main species present.
The best time of the year to visit East Hill Cemetery is during the months of May to August; this is when the wildflowers are at their best.
- Good accessibility
- Great for fungi
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
- Wildlife haven
Key Species Present
Pyramidal Orchid Common Blue
Birds Foot Trefoil Silver Studded Blue
Ladies Bedstraw Hummingbird Hawk Moth
Mouse Ear Hawkweed Meadow Brown Butterfly
Ox-eye daisy Gate Keeper Butterfly
There is the main tarmac path that runs from the entrance through the middle to the rear of the cemetery. There are narrower paths that have a tarmac base but have been covered with grass, these run around the outside of the cemetery as well as having connecting paths to the main drive.
There is no seating at the site.
The nearest train station is a 15 minute walk to Dartford Station.
The nearest bus stop is Livingstone Hospital which is a 2 minute walk from the entrance.