Recognising the support of grant making trusts, corporates, and major donors

Caring for this special Place

Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust is the charity caring for this spectacular 45-acre Victorian garden cemetery.

Our mission is to share and enhance this special place for all.

Our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of many individuals, Trusts & Foundations, companies and statutory organisations.

As a charity, we rely on these voluntary donations, grants and gifts to keep our site open 365 days a year, maintain our historic buildings & monuments and care for its diverse landscape.

Every contribution - big or small - makes a difference.

The Anglican Chapel at Arnos Vale

Current Supporters

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our current funders.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting our work to grow our volunteer base and manage the landscape including tackling ash die-back.

The John James Bristol Foundation is generously contributing to the refurbishment of publicly accessible toilets in the Spielman Centre.

Bristol Naturalists’ Society is supporting the publication of our Tree Trail leaflet, offering visitors a self-guided tour to learn more about the collection of trees located throughout the cemetery.

The Gardens Trust has awarded a grant towards the purchase of new safety equipment and tools for volunteers that help maintain the landscape at Arnos Vale.

National Lottery Heritage Fund Logo
The John James Bristol Foundation Logo

A Legacy of Impact

Since the Trust was established in 2007 we have been privileged to be supported by many funders whose assistance has allowed us to save valuable historic assets, nurture the landscape and engage with the local community.

These grants have played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of our charity, surviving through difficult times and allowing new generations of Bristolians, and beyond, to discover the rich heritage of this important green space.

With sincere thanks to our supporters through the years

  • Heritage Lottery Fund
  • Bristol City Council
  • The Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery
  • The John James Bristol Foundation
  • The Spielman Trust
  • Santander
  • The Wellcome Trust
  • The Ernest Cook Trust
  • Tesco Bags of Funds
  • Vitabiotics

Recognising Early Supporters

Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust benefits from two endowment funds, providing essential income to secure the site's future. These funds, managed by Quartet Community Foundation, are key to sustaining our mission.

We are forever indebted to these early benefactors who believed in the vision.

2013 – 2016: The Catalyst Fund endowment

Amongst the many donations were sizable gifts from foundations including the John James Trust, and Merchant Venturers, alongside money raised by The Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery whose fundraising activity alone raised over £40K. There were also numerous personal donations from the Bristol community and well-wishers further afield, many of whom had worked tirelessly to save Arnos Vale when it lay in a state of disrepair in the decades preceding the restoration campaign.

2003 – 2010: The Restoration Appeal

In the 2000s, a major fundraising effort saved and reopened the site. A £4.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Foundation in 2005 bolstered the Restoration Appeal.

An additional £600,000 in match funding was raised from Bristol City Council, charities, the Friends group, and individual donors. Volunteers contributed approximately £250,000 worth of time during the restoration.

With thanks to everyone who contributed towards this appeal.

  • Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery
  • Guardian Angels of Arnos Vale
  • Association of Independent Museums
  • Biffa Award
  • Brahmo Samaj
  • Bristol Evening Post
  • Bristol Naturalists’ Society
  • Bristol Preservation Trust
  • The Brooks Family
  • Churngold Construction
  • Co-op Funeralcare
  • Dame Violet Wills Trust
  • Forestry Commission
  • Garfield Weston Foundation
  • Hemmings Waste Management
  • J & M Britton Charitable Trust
  • J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust
  • Joyce Needham Cooper Charitable Trust
  • Lankelly Chase Foundation
  • Manifold Trust
  • McArthur Group
  • Mr and Mrs Poddar
  • Pixiella Trust
  • Pople Charitable Trust
  • Society of Merchant Venturers
  • Spielman Charitable Trust
  • Urban Creation Ltd
  • War Graves Commission
  • Worshipful Company of Dyers
  • YANSEC

And many donors who wished to remain anonymous.

2003 – First Endowment Fund established by Bristol City Council

How you can support Arnos Vale Cemetery

To find out more about how you can support the future of Arnos Vale Cemetery, please send an email to info@arnosvale.org.uk for the attention of our Chief Executive Ann Fiddler.