What comes to mind when you think of a cemetery? For most, it’s a place of quiet remembrance, of stone monuments and peaceful reflection. But what if a cemetery could be something more? Here in Sidmouth, our town cemetery has become just that—an unexpected and vibrant nature reserve, where local history and ecology are deeply intertwined.

This transformation has not been without its challenges. The fine line between "rewilding" for nature's benefit and unintentional neglect has sparked community debate. A recent period where the grounds were left to grow unchecked, described by some as "abandonment," sadly led to the loss of beloved wildflowers like bluebells, primroses, ladysmock and other flora. This has created a management puzzle: how do we cherish this space for both the departed and the vibrant life that has taken root among them

Step through the gates of Sidmouth Town Cemetery, opened in 1879, and you’re stepping into a story written in both stone and bark. Its atmosphere is shaped not just by the ornate headstones but by the magnificent canopy of trees that watch over them. Many of these mature Beech and Oak trees were planted by Victorian Sidmothians, their roots growing deep into the town's past as the community itself grew.

Recognizing this living heritage, the Sidmouth Arboretum has carefully mapped and recorded nearly 50 of these significant trees, creating a public archive of their stories and producing popular tree trail leaflets for residents and visitors alike. These century-old trees stand as living monuments alongside the stone ones, forging a powerful connection between the town's history and its present-day ecology. They are a testament to the foresight of our ancestors and the enduring power of nature.

Often overlooked, one of the most vital natural features of the cemetery is its network of hedgerows. Far from simple boundaries, these are ancient living structures. The southernmost hedge, in fact, may date back to the Middle Ages, potentially making it the oldest single feature on the entire site.

These hedges serve a critical role as "green highways," or wildlife corridors, allowing animals to travel safely across town, hidden from view. This network is essential for a surprising variety of local wildlife:

• The rare Lesser Horseshoe Bat, which roosts nearby, uses the hedges as a sheltered route for foraging.

• Dormice, which have been found in adjacent habitats, could expand their territory into the cemetery if the hedges are managed with their needs in mind.

• Countless birds and butterflies rely on the food and shelter these corridors provide throughout the year.

As of early 2026, the conservation work is driven by a formal partnership between East Devon District Council (EDDC), Sidmouth Town Council, and the volunteer group Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries (CSC).

1. The "Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries" Project

This group is the primary "boots on the ground" for conservation. Their 2026 mandate is to manage the site so it is "managed but not manicured."

• Tuesday Morning Work Parties: Volunteers meet every Tuesday to perform "garden and conservation" work. This includes maintaining the ornamental heritage planting while creating niche habitats for wildlife.

• Accessibility vs. Nature: A major focus in early 2026 is balancing nature recovery with accessibility. The group recently requested a £1,000 Cemeteries Reserve from the Town Council to fund improvements to paths, ensuring that the "wilder" areas do not hinder those visiting graves.

• New Signage: In late 2025/early 2026, the District Council installed new signage throughout the cemetery to educate visitors on the nature recovery goals and enforce dog-on-lead rules to protect ground-nesting insects.
  
  

2. Wildlife Improvement Areas

Large sections of the cemetery have been officially designated as "Wildlife Improvement Areas."

• The "Living Churchyard" Model: Although it is a municipal cemetery, it follows the principles of the Living Churchyard project. This includes a tiered mowing regime where "don't mow yet" zones allow wildflowers to complete their seed cycle.

• Botanical Cataloguing: In collaboration with the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group (SVBG), volunteers are continuously cataloguing species. A recent survey recorded over 60 species of wildflowers in the cemetery, including the unusual Water Figwort, which has established a surprising colony here despite the lack of standing water.

• Pollinator-First Planting: EDDC’s StreetScene team has transitioned away from annual bedding toward perennial species that require less watering and provide year-round nectar for bees and hoverflies.
  
  

3. Structural Conservation

• Lichen and Moss Protection: The older Victorian headstones are treated as "vertical rock gardens." Management protocols prohibit the use of chemical cleaners or high-pressure washing on historic stones to protect rare lichen and Silky Wall Feather Moss.

• Tree Stewardship: The cemetery's mature trees are managed as part of the Sidmouth Arboretum network. Work focus is on "vetranisation"—keeping old trees safe while retaining dead wood in the canopy to support bats and wood-boring beetles.
  
  

4. Community and Funding (2026/27 Budget)

• Parish Tax Support: The Sidmouth Town Council Budget for 2026/7 (approved in January 2026) explicitly includes funding for the maintenance and ecological improvement of the cemetery.

• Engagement Hub: The cemetery is now linked to the CAPS (Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth) "Eco Hub" activities, using the site as a location for climate events and biodiversity education sessions.

The management of the cemetery's grassy areas, some of which have been maintained as meadows since 2010, has become a focal point of community discussion. Leaving the grass long provides a crucial habitat for insects, which in turn become a vital food source for the bats and birds that frequent the area. Even dormice benefit, feeding on caterpillars they find on the long grass stems to build up protein.

However, balance is key. A carefully managed approach that combines areas of neatly cut grass with sections of wild meadow provides a more diverse habitat that can support a greater range of plants and insects. This approach also strikes a happy compromise, respecting the wishes of visitors who prefer tidier gravesites while still nurturing the wilder, life-giving character of the landscape. This is a philosophy I believe we can embrace—one of co-existence, where our acts of remembrance actively nurture the nature thriving all around us.

What better way to pay homage to our dead than to celebrate life by managing this outstanding fragment of our ancient landscape for nature and for the future.

Sidmouth Cemetery is far more than a burial ground; it is a vital, living landscape where our town's heritage and natural world are woven together. In recognition of its importance, the site is one of East Devon District Council's designated Wildlife Improvement Areas, yet finding the right management balance has proven to be a challenge.

Rather than just a puzzle, this is an opportunity for our community to come together. The Vision Group for Sidmouth is proposing an inspiring way forward: the creation of a "Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries" friends group. This initiative would bring together volunteers to work in partnership with the council, helping to care for the grounds, document its rich heritage, and ensure its biodiversity is protected.

We already have a powerful local example of how this can work. The Friends of Glen Goyle, also set up by the Vision Group, have successfully partnered with the council to transform another beloved space. By following this model, we can ensure this unique sanctuary is cherished by everyone—a place where the stories of our past can nurture the wildlife of tomorrow.