Barnston Estate is the first estate in Cheshire to open its own natural burial ground.
Monument Meadow Natural Burial Ground, which opened in September 2021, replaces the burial ground at St Chad’s in Farndon village. It is also available for residents of surrounding villages.
Designed by Land Studio in Chester, a specialist landscape architect, the environment is kept as natural as possible with a wildflower meadow, native hedging and ornamental trees.
With its timber framed pavilion, calming circular layout and views stretching across the Clywdian Range, it has been designed to be a peaceful and beautiful place to visit. It also provides a safe haven for birds and wildlife and enables wild flowers and trees to thrive.
The site is anchored with a Grade II* listed monument – a sandstone obelisk flanked by four sleeping stone lions - commemorating Roger Barnston, a military officer who died in 1857 of wounds sustained at the Siege of Lucknow in India.
Monument Meadow is an essential community facility and a special place for people to think, reflect and to celebrate a person’s life.
Edward Barnston
“We have given careful consideration to ensure that it is respectful to the surrounding landscape.”
There are more than 270 natural burial grounds in the UK, where interment occurs in a way that is beneficial to the environment, and they are increasing in popularity.
At Monument Meadow, the burial ground is a natural one with caskets and urns made of natural materials. The landscape will change with the seasons, mature over time and support a rich variety of flora and fauna.
We offer natural burial plots, interment of ashes and scattering of ashes. Pre-purchasing of plots is now available.
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