Opened in 1879 it has many tall, eclectic trees and its nucleus was the outcome of a competition for designs by Richmond Burial Board.

[4] In 1877 it bought the first parcel of land, a former orchard, of c. 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) in the south-west from Mr Travers Smith.

[4] A competition was announced to design the layout of the burial ground, with a first prize of 15 guineas (equivalent to £2,000 in 2023) and a second prize of 5 guineas[4] The cemetery has many mature trees, some of them pre-dating the creation of the cemetery, such as cedar, weeping beech, holly, yew, cypresses, giant redwood, and a fine large monkey puzzle.

[1] Most of the small roundabouts are planted with single cypresses surrounded by heather and lawn, as is the junction of the main and central east/west axes north of the chapels.

[1] The chapels, designed by T Goodchild in the Decorated Style, have crocketed spires linked by a great entrance arch.