The General Cemetery Conservation Area lies just under 1.5km south west from the city centre and covers the entire General Cemetery on the sides of the Porter Valley.
The cemetery is bordered by Cemetery Road to the south east, Montague Street to the east and Stalker Walk and the Porter Brook running along the Northern boundary.
The area of open space running along Stalker Walk off Montague Street was originally within the Conservation Area but was removed and added to the adjacent Porter Brook Conservation Area in 2000.
The cemetery originally opened in 1836 as the principal burial ground in Sheffield. It contains over 87,000 graves and is home to some of the most famous Sheffield industrialists and benefactors.
English Heritage recognise the cemetery as having national importance and it was given a Grade II* listed historic park and garden.
The special interest that justifies the designation of the General Cemetery Conservation Area comes from the following:
- nationally listed Grade II* Historic Park and Garden
- ten listed buildings and structures including:
- - main gateway and lodges (Cemetery Avenue) Grade II*
- - gateway to cemetery with screen and walls (Cemetery Road) Grade II*
- - non-conformist Chapel Grade II*
- - 'New Chapel' Grade II
- - Montague House on Cemetery Road, Grade II
- - The Catacombs which are Grade II
- - several monuments to important Sheffield industrialists including George Bennett, William Parker and Mark Firth - all Grade II
- Contains the graves of thousands of Sheffield people who helped play a part in Sheffield's industrial development. They helped form an important part of the City's heritage socially, economically and architecturally
- important open green space and habitat for wildlife
- many mature trees contributing to the character of the Conservation Area
Date of designation
The General Cemetery Conservation Area was designated around October 1986.
English Heritage upgraded its listing status to Grade II* in 2009.
Conservation Area Appraisal
There is no current up to date Conservation Area Appraisal. A good source of further information is the General Cemetery Trust website.
General Cemetery Trust
Sheffield General Cemetery Trust is a registered charity who help to promote and restore the cemetery. They also have information on the restoration of the Nonconformist Chapel.