Abney Park Cemetery — Photography and Art Portfolio by Michal Huniewicz

This cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven London cemeteries. Almost 200,000 people have been buried there since it was established in 1840.

It was a model garden cemetery, a pioneering (on a European scale) non-denominational place of rest. Its total area is 32 acres.

These photos are shot in genuine infrared (as opposed to manipulated in software).

Uploaded on: 2012-06-01. Updated on: 2026-02-02.

Abney Park Cemetery

Abney Park Cemetery — This is near a small park entrance at Stoke Newington Church Street.

Leaning graves

Leaning graves — The cemetery is officially at risk from neglect and decay.

Graves 2

Graves 2 — Graves.

Abney Park Chapel

Abney Park Chapel — Because this cemetery is non-denominational, so is the chapel. It is supposed to send a message of religious harmony. The stock brick that was used on the exterior is not typically English, but Baltic. The concept of introducing classical elements into a gothic design had previously been used in England only on rare occasions, unlike in continental Europe.

From the side

From the side — The chapel has been closed for 30 years now, since a fire destroyed its interior.

Outisde the chapel

Outisde the chapel — Graves outside the chapel.

Sepia

Sepia — The tint was added in post-production.

Alley

Alley — Alley.

Tint

Tint — Colours were added in post-production.

Bushes

Bushes — Bushes.

Graves

Graves — Graves.

Ferns

Ferns — Ferns.

Sleeping lion

Sleeping lion — The lens filter that cancels out visible light and only lets in infrared extends exposure times to seconds.

Lion close-up

Lion close-up — The lion is on the grave of Frank, Susannah and Emmie Bostock. The Bostocks were mainly responsible for bringing Asian and African animals to the attention of the Victorian public.