Visit the Southampton Quaker Burial Ground originally opened in 1662.

History of the Southampton Quaker Burial Ground:

1655:

Quaker meetings began in Southampton following a visit from George Fox, one of the founding Quakers Early Friends (Quakers) did not wish to be buried in churchyards nor were they welcome there as dissenters from the Church of England.

1662:

George Embree senior bought the Quaker burial ground, known then as the ‘burying ground’, in The Avenue.

1671:

The first recorded burial in the Southampton ground

1689:

The Holyrood Parish Register uses the name ‘cabbidge garden’ in a reference to the burial of a member of the Quaker meeting. The original burial ground was about half the present size, the dimensions being 68 feet east to west and 62 feet north to south.

1698:

In their testimony for plainness, early Quakers did not permit gravestones. Permission was refused to ‘raise a stone’ over a grave in 1698.

1817:

When permission was eventually given to "raise a stone"over a grave in 1817, instructions were given about their size, thickness and plainness, specifying that only the name, age and date of death would appear on the stone.

1840:

Additional land was quickly secured sufficient to double the area.

1884:

Funerals have been conducted in the current Meeting House in Ordnance Road from its construction in 1884 up to the present day.

2025:

The burial ground is still in use.

Timings & Tours 

Saturday 13 September: 10am-4pm

Location & directions 

Directions: Corner Brighton Road and The Avenue

Contact on day: Sue Stanek

Telephone number:  +447948993724

Accessibility Details

Very limited on-street parking in Brighton Road. Pay and display car park available in Ordnance Road, SO15 2FD (on the other side to the Quaker Meeting House) (approximately 12 minute walk.) Bedford Place multi-storey car park, Lower Banister Street, SO15 2DB (approximately 12 minutes walk) Nearest bus stop is Stag Gates, on the Avenue.

Additional information

The Southampton Meeting House in Ordnance Road will also be open on Saturday 13th September from 10.00-16.00. You may find it interesting to visit both venues. Refreshments will be available in the Meeting House.