Grave & Headstone Cleaning at Dulwich Old Burial Ground
Southwark · SE21 7DJ · Heritage cemetery
Closed to new burials — but its memorials still stand, and families still visit. Older stone weathers hardest, so this is exactly the kind of ground that needs careful care.
Get a Free Dulwich Old Burial Ground QuoteIn short
Dulwich Old Burial Ground, consecrated in 1616 and closed to burials since 1857, is a rare seventeenth-century ground that was never attached to a church. Around 32 memorials survive behind Grade II listed railings and gates, several individually listed in their own right. We carry out careful, conservation-minded grave and headstone cleaning here, working strictly within listed-monument consent rules.
About Dulwich Old Burial Ground
Dulwich Old Burial Ground was consecrated on 1 September 1616 as part of Edward Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift foundation, unusually never attached to a church or chapel. Burials ended in 1857, and it is closed to new burials today, but around 32 memorials survive behind 18th-century railings and are still cared for and open to visitors.
Access: Owned by the Dulwich Estate, Edward Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift foundation. The railings, gates and several individual monuments are Grade II listed, so any memorial work here needs listed-monument consent rather than routine council permission.
- Administered by
- The Dulwich Estate (Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift foundation)
- Heritage status
- Grade II listed
Permission: memorial work here is governed by The Dulwich Estate (Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift foundation). In practice the registered grave owner’s consent is what we ask for, and we work to the site’s own memorial rules — see their memorial guidance, or our guide to who needs permission to clean a grave.
Services We Provide at Dulwich Old Burial Ground
Common Stone Types Here
How It Works at Dulwich Old Burial Ground
Tell us the plot
Send us the section and grave reference at Dulwich Old Burial Ground. You do not need to attend — we come to you.
Free quote
We confirm the stone type and condition (a photo helps) and give a clear, no-obligation price before any work begins.
We carry out the work
Our specialist works gently with stone-safe methods, following the cemetery’s regulations — never pressure washing.
Before & after photos
You receive before-and-after photographs and a short written report, usually within 24 hours.
Dulwich Old Burial Ground is one of many burial grounds we care for across Southwark and the wider capital. We work in council, private, faith and heritage cemeteries throughout all 32 London boroughs and the M25 — see more cemeteries we cover, our grave cleaning service, or memorial care by faith and community.
For the wider area, see headstone cleaning in Southwark or headstone cleaning across South London.
Grave Cleaning Near Dulwich Old Burial Ground
We care for graves across every borough in this part of London — explore grave and headstone cleaning by area.
Other Cemeteries in Southwark
Related Guides
- How to clean a headstone safely (and when to stop)
A step-by-step guide to the right method, the wrong products, and when to call a professional.
- 2026 London grave cleaning costs guide
Clear pricing for headstone cleaning, full grave cleans and maintenance plans, with what changes the price.
- Cleaning different headstone stone types
Granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and slate each need a different approach. This guide covers them all.
- Remembrance Sunday: caring for a veteran's grave
Have a veteran's memorial cleaned and dressed for Remembrance Sunday.
- Caring for a grave through winter
Grave care in winter, explained: how freeze-thaw and frost damage a headstone, why moss thrives, and the safe…
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a grave cleaned at Dulwich Old Burial Ground?+
Yes. We provide professional, stone-safe grave and headstone cleaning at Dulwich Old Burial Ground, following the cemetery’s regulations. Just give us the section and grave reference and we’ll do the rest.
Do I need to be present?+
No. We only need the cemetery name and plot reference. We send before-and-after photographs and a short report when the work is done.
How much does grave cleaning at Dulwich Old Burial Ground cost?+
A single headstone clean starts from £75 and a full grave clean from £85, depending on stone type, condition and access. We always provide a free, no-obligation quote first.
Why does Dulwich Old Burial Ground need special permission for memorial work?+
The site’s railings, gates and several individual monuments are Grade II listed, so cleaning here falls under listed-building and listed-monument consent rather than ordinary cemetery rules. It’s also unusual in never having been attached to a church, having been consecrated in 1616 as part of Edward Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift foundation.
Nearby Areas
Book a Visit to Dulwich Old Burial Ground
Free, no-obligation assessment. Just tell us the section and grave reference.
Contact Us TodayPage last updated 23 September 2026