Hidden amid the northern regions of Greater London resides what appears to be an abandoned cemetery. By day and night, Abney Park emanates an eerie impression, with densely packed tombs overgrown with vines. Ancient trees have tilted or completely upset most of the headstones and monuments. With thick vegetation enveloping the entire necropolis, it appears neglected and forgotten. In actuality, it is a nature reserve that also happens to be an inactive gravesite.^1,2

In the center of the park is the pinnacle of Abney Cemetery, the derelict Abney Chapel. Although small, the imposing gothic chapel is ornate and after being eviscerated by fire in the 1970s has been locked up for half a century. ³ The imposing architecture deludes a perception of a grand scale while the interior is considerably confined. Layers of desiccated guano caking inner surfaces attest to the decades of pigeon roosting inside the sanctuary.

While some visitors to the graveyard are simply out for a stroll, others contribute to the mystifying nature of the overgrown garden. Some seem to be aimlessly wandering or standing as if waiting for something. Even after the gates are locked at sunset, activity inside the grounds continues into the night. In the darkness, the burial ground is a notorious focal point for alfresco cottaging.²

Abney Park’s most famous peculiarity is as the filming location for scenes in Amy Winehouse’s music video “Back to Black”. ³

“Secondary Woodland, neutral grassland. Hackney’s largest area of woodland with many mature trees including some unusual specimen trees. Its flora is diverse and includes wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), a rare plant in north London, normally associated with ancient woodland. Grassy clearings support the locally uncommon plants meadow crane’s-bill (Geranium pratense) and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). A diverse breeding avifauna includes sparrowhawk and tawny owl.The invertebrate fauna also includes several species more usually associated with ancient woodland.”

— Hackney Council Assets Document SINC⁴