Sheffield General Cemetery

It sounds a lot of money and clearly there is more to be done. But the paths feel a lot safer to walk on, there are better views, and the riverside is much improved. I'd like to see some of the old trees replaced if they get diseased or just die off. Some are specials. Bit concerned about too much ivy leading to tree fall and therefore gravestone damage. The guided walks are a great idea and the works have helped open them up a bit. I'd like to restore a bit of the historical connection with the Botanical Gardens - perhaps a curated view here and there as reminder of how it was in the early days. But a greater public involvement with events is a great way of encouraging new people into the life of the cemetery.

The cemetery funding has done well and created a vast improvement to a long forgot treasure in Sheffield that's full of history regards the beginnings of Sheffield and it's past. I'm now a frequent visitor to it and a regular visitor to the chapel cafe and event nights and live the new lighting systems that have been put in at night to guide visitors to the chapel .
The only thing lacking is the church at the very top that appears to be left to fall into disrepair as the owner is a private buyer .Maybe the council could see about compulsory purchasing it as it's a shame to let it fall into wrack and ruin (lately the homeless seem to camping inside it as main door is broken ) when it could be developed to showcase the history of the cemetery and become a community space as well as being used to learning about rewilding, conservation,stone masoning and other skills required to maintain the general cemetery.

The works have really been done very sympathetically as none of the charm and sense of place is lost. I still feel very connected to nature and to those resting there…I’m kind of envious of their sanctuary.

I really love the work that has been done to the Cemetery. The pathways and railings are great, I love how you have tidied up the foliage. It is a welcoming space to exercise and meet friends, as well as learn about the grounds and the city.

Amazing work. Thank you!! Space to walk a, admire, think. So needed , so valuable. Thank you lottery thank you everyone!!!

I love the revamped spaces at the cemetery worth the wait

I first came to Sheffield in 2002 as a student. The cemetery and surrounding areas were a no go area. They were derelict and dangerous. The work that has been done has absolutely transformed them. The cemetery is looking incredible. The catacombs and surrounding paths are fabulous and the care that's been taken to restore not just 'make safe' is second to none. It is now a wonderful place, enjoyed by many and a real asset to Sheffield

Love what has been doing apart from the Green railing on the steps and on the approach to the Chapel they done blend in with its surroundings.
The silver and wood ones that are on the Disabled ramp to the chapel would look a lot better, As the green ones look like, they belong at a new railway station.

The most significant benefit from the grant has been the removal of the 1930's concrete topping to the original stone catacombs. Why it was ever commissioned is a mystery. It blocked the sightlines and light from top to bottom and was an ugly barrier to the natural descent of the hillside. Its removal has been transformative in showing how the flowing curves of the catacombs were designed in sympathy with the landscape. The proposal to do this was not included in the original badly advised scheme. It came about through the vision and persistence of Adrian Hallam and he deserves fulsome praise for it.
The site is a designated Nature Reserve. We had to fight against wholesale clearance of habitat under the first scheme. Luckily, modifications have preserved the fenced sanctuary between the chapels and I feel there is an awareness now of the value to small birds, some of which travel thousands of miles to nest here each year, of areas of dense bushes and brambles which afford nest and feeding sites protected from the hoards of Magpies, Crows and visiting Jays ... far more than you ever see in the countryside where there are no discarded pizza and chips, but which are nevertheless all too ready to rag other birds nests.

A stunning transformation of an already wonderful site. The community feel due to the events is fantatic and the educational aspects are informative and very much appreciated.
Wildlife friendly lighting would be appreciated to improve safety whilst causing minimal impact on the wildlife.

£3,000,000 pounds to tidy up a disused cemetery, what a waste of money!

It should have been spent on creating more one bedroom flats for homeless people to live in.

The law states: "no-one must be homeless".

The project has definitely brought dome major improvements to the site but I have grumbles about the lack of consideration shown to visitors whilst the work was underway. It was hard to work out which pedestrian routes through the site were still open. Even when routes were officially open, they were sometimes blocked by contractors' vehicles.

The work overall has been fantastic and can’t wait to see the effects of the new planting next year. It’s a shame the path surface is different around the gate house as this can get quite wet and muddy when it rains. The harder surface used further up would have been better in my opinion. Hopefully further works to open up access to the catacombs may be a possibility in the future and a long term future the church can also be secured. A crossing at the entrance to the church across cemetery road is also needed as this is a very dangerous road to cross.

We absolutely love the cemetery and think that the works have made it a really magical place to be. Our kids love it too.
My only questions or concerns are about having some lighting installed so that it is safer to walk through at night and also a pedestrian crossing on cemetery road to ensure that crossing the road to get there is safe.

Hi,
I lived by the cemetery for 50 years and walk through most days. The work carried was ok in some places and poor in other areas. But I was shocked how long it took. A lot of the time I walked through one person would be working with 3 looking on. It took far too long to do. I'm sorry but I think the cemetery deserved better and we were ripped off

Having hosted our wedding at Samuel Worth Chapel earlier this year I am very supportive and proud of the work that has taken place at and round the chapel. I love walking through the grounds and and the new works completed have meant that the cemetery can be enjoyed through all the seasons. I look forward to the lights being installed as it’s a magical place at night.

I have lived close to the GC for many years, and it is a gem of a place that just gets better and better. I love that the wild areas have been retained, but sympathetic improvements have happened over to make the cemetery more accessible to all. I love the new garden near the river, and of course the restoration of the Samual Worth Chapel is a great local resource. Well done to all who put in the work to make these things happen.

I think the Cemetery is looking fantastic. The HLF Money has enabled the Cemetery to become a safe place to visit, see wildlife and discover the lives of Victorian Sheffielders.

IT is a big improvement. All the users will benefit. The paths are so much better and it is great to see it smartened up without the history nor wildlife suffering.

My thoughts on the recent work are positive ones. I particularly approve of how the concrete balustrades have been removed from the catacombs and have been replaced with railings which are more in keeping with their surroundings. The work on the footpaths is welcome as are the additional benches.
My overall thoughts are that it’s not over-obtrusive and has been a good fit with the ambience of the cemetery.