Young visitors explore Arnos Vale Cemetery
Heritage Grants
Date awarded
Location
Brislington West
Applicant
Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
Award Given
£4923000
Arnos Vale Cemetery has undergone a major restoration programme, and been transformed into a heritage, wildlife and visitor centre.
Arnos Vale is an important historic cemetery, included on the English Heritage Register of Parks and gardens at Grade II*. The site was threatened by redevelopment, and following a high-profile media campaign Bristol City Council took ownership in 2003.
The Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust was given a licence to manage the site and undertook a major restoration programme, with support from a range of funders, including a major £4,923,000 grant from us.
The four-year project had four main aims:
- to conserve the key surviving elements of the historic designed landscape by selectively clearing and re-planting informed by the original design
- to carefully conserve and re-use the main cemetery buildings
- to conserve and repair the listed and most visually significant monuments and tombs, boundary walls and gates
- to manage and conserve all areas of the cemetery as a sanctuary for wildlife
An education project was developed alongside site interpretation, talks and ticketed learning events. Income generated by events will help contribute to the ongoing site management.