A Place of Peace
Our Churchyard
All Saints’ churchyard is one of Crawley Down’s most historic and beautiful spaces — a peaceful place of remembrance, rich in wildlife and natural beauty, where the village community has been laid to rest since 1844.
A Brief History
All Saints’ Church was built in 1842 and the churchyard has been used for burials since 1844. Over its 180-year history, 2,340 burials have been recorded here — though around 900 of those are in unmarked or unknown locations, a reminder of how much of the village’s story lies quietly beneath the ground.
As the original churchyard filled over the decades, additional land was acquired to the north of the church. This extension — adding 0.22 hectares — was made possible by the generosity of Richard Buckley of The Grange, whose will dated 10th November 1875 transferred the land on his death in November 1907. That extension, laid out in regular rows, is itself now completely full.
Closure to New Burials
By 2018 the churchyard had reached capacity once again, and with no room for further expansion the PCC applied to the Ministry of Justice under the Burials Act 1853 for a Formal Order in Council. The Order was confirmed by the Privy Council on 14th November 2020, formally closing the churchyard to fresh earthen burials.
What is still permitted
- Burials in existing family graves, provided there is at least one metre of earth above the final coffin
- Interment of cremated remains in the dedicated memorial lawn — locations are carefully recorded, though unmarked
- The addition of names to existing memorials
If you have a query about an existing family grave or wish to arrange an interment of cremated remains, please contact the Parish Office.
Nature & Biodiversity
Covering approximately four acres, the churchyard is far more than a burial ground — it is a thriving semi-wild habitat. In 2016, a professional survey carried out by a team from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), led by Arthur Hoare (Recorder Emeritus), identified over 180 plant species within the churchyard. Mr Hoare described the site as having “rich and splendid biodiversity”.
Then, in June 2017, came a remarkable discovery: Cher Hawkweed (Hieracium cheriense) — a species that had been lost in Sussex for over 40 years — was found growing here. The full species list is held in the church archive.
The predominant trees in the churchyard are Beech, English Oak, Turkey Oak, Silver Birch and Yew. Our policy is to keep the older areas as natural and undisturbed as possible, encouraging wildflowers and self-sown native species, while maintaining clear and tidy access to more recent burial areas.
Visiting the Churchyard
We warmly welcome all visitors — whether you are tending a family grave, paying your respects, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of this historic space. The churchyard is accessible from both Turners Hill Road and Vicarage Road.
Please take care when walking, as the ground can be uneven in places where older graves have settled over time.
War Memorial Records
The churchyard and parish records include a dedicated memorial to those from Crawley Down who gave their lives in the World Wars. We hold records of local people lost in conflict, which you can explore on our history pages.
Contact Us
For enquiries about burials, cremated remains, existing family graves, or the churchyard records, please get in touch with the Parish Office:
📧 office@allsaintscrawleydown.org
📞 01342 718741
🕐 Office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings, 9am–11am