Bells Hill Burial Ground

Bells Hill Burial Ground is a 3.3 hectare cemetery and Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation in the Parish of Chipping Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet. It was opened in 1895 and closed in 2005 when it became full. In 2006 control was passed to Barnet Council. There is access from Spring Close.BurialsThe burial ground has twenty war graves from World War I and twenty-four from World War II.Natural environmentThe north-eastern end has older monuments and is wooded with mature cedar and yew trees. Wildflowers include common knapweed and lady's bedstraw, while brambles and roses climb the tombs in wilder areas. The burial ground is a very good site for butterflies, such as gatekeeper, small skipper and meadow brown. The south-western area is more managed with mown grass, and some graves have flowers.Notable intermentsAlbert Edward Curtis, awarded the Victoria Cross.Lancelot Gerald Hasluck, founder of the Lancelot Hasluck Trust.John Oliver Brook Hitch, MC, architect.Hugh Moore, awarded the Queen's Police Medal.Francis Beaumont Mitchell, awarded the British Empire Medal for gallantry in 1942 after crawling 2-3 miles from the wreckage of his aircraft to raise the alarm after it crashed on a training flight.Kenneth Ian Thornton, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.