Friends of Welford Road Cemetery

History of the Cemetery

Events & News

Military Burials

Gallery & 360° Tour

About Us

The Friends of the Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester, is a group founded in 1999 to help and encourage people to enjoy this beautiful, historic space. We staff the cemetery’s visitor centre, help visitors to research their family history, and produce a regular newsletter containing our research into the history of the cemetery and of those buried here. We also hold regular events, including annual commemorations of ANZAC Day and Armistice Day. We are always happy to help visitors and researchers outside visitor centre hours. To find out more about our history please go to our history section.

If you are interested in joining the Friends (link to membership form) or simply finding out more about the cemetery, please pop into the Visitor Centre contact general mailbox or follow us on Facebook.  If you’d like to support us generally you can set up an Easy Fundraising account (link to Easy Fundraising instruction).

News and Events

Keep up to date with our year round events at the cemetery.

Visitor Centre

Find information on our visitor centre and opening times, take a virtual visit!

History

The Victorian cemetery in Leicester, its history and place in our city

Military Burials

Leicester’s most important military cemetery with 258 Commonwealth War Graves

Gallery & 360° Tour

Take a look at our gallery and images which cover events and some aerial photographs

Contact Us

Contact us for more information and we can help you locate plots and people

An Open Green Space

With views over the city the cemetery is an important green space in the heart of the city. We hope people enjoy this beautiful historic space.

Opened in 1849

Opened on 19th June 1849 by William Biggs in front of 3000 people and the Duke of Rutland’s Yeomanry Band led by Henry Nicholson. 

Leicester’s Victorian Cemetery

The cemetery was the only one in the city between 1855 and 1901 and 213,000 people are buried in around 40,000 graves.

Famous People

As well as Thomas Cook there are numerous other famous local people buried in the cemetery

Looking for an Ancestor?

 Try Find a Grave

View our 360° Tour Fullscreen

Want to become a member?

 

175th Anniversary

175th Anniversary

The Friends of Welford Road Invite you to celebrate the opening of the cemetery 175 years ago with a selection of Guided Walks and Cream Tea's on Saturday 22nd of June from 2pm. The Wildlife Trusts & Nature Spot will be onsite throughout the afternoon. All profits...