Asset type
Park and Garden - Landscape of remembrance (now park)
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0023
Conservation Area (CA)
North Laine CA
Description
Former burial ground to Hanover Chapel (listed grade II, now part of the Brighthelm Centre). The Hanover Chapel was built in 1824/5. Collis suggests that the hospital of the Infantry Barracks stood on the burial ground site previously. It is suggested elsewhere that the site was already a burial ground from possibly as early as the 1700s. The burial ground originally extended further to the west. Queen’s Road was built over this part in 1845. The original boundary wall and railing survive on the west side of Queen’s Road. The boundary between the park and Queen’s Road is marked by railings, which are grade II listed.
Burials ceased in around the early 1850s and the burial ground became a public garden in 1884. The gravestones were moved to the boundaries of the site in 1949, at which point an inventory of the memorials was compiled. All historic OS maps and surviving drawings show the site to be laid out with a single linear route providing access from Church Street to the Chapel. The drawings show this to be lined with railings and trees. The current path follows the same alignment but is set further to the west. Sources: Collis 2010, Antram & Morrice 2008
B. Historic and evidential interest
iii A number of historic drawings survive of the space, as well an inventory of the memorials.
C. Townscape interest
i. Set within the North Laine conservation area, it is one of few open spaces within the predominantly dense built-up form that characterises the area.
iv. The burial ground forms the primary setting to the grade II listed Hanover Chapel. Originally forming the burial ground to the Chapel, it is associated both historically and visually. It is also closely associated with the grade II listed railings to its west boundary.
E. Rarity and representativeness
i. A rare example of a city centre burial ground and surviving green space within the North Laine.
F. Intactness
i. Although the gardens have changed over time, indications of their original use as a burial ground survive, as well as elements of their design as a public park.
Date of inclusion
2015
