Restore the Gates
THAT GUARD OUR HERITAGE
Help us raise £40,000 to bring the Bath Road Victorian gates back to life - preserving nearly 200 years of local history and protecting our cherished cemetery for generations to come.
Why We Need Your Help
After decades of daily use, allowing around 53,000 vehicles through annually, the gates’ sliding mechanism has failed. One side has been removed for safety, and the repair work is urgent.
Without your help, we risk losing this essential and beautiful entrance to the cemetery.
Commissioned in 1839 by architect Charles Underwood, and manufactured by Messrs Room, Grazebrook and Co., our Grade II* listed Victorian iron gates have stood at the entrance to the cemetery for almost two centuries. They have welcomed families, mourners, and visitors for generations.
Our Goal
£40,000 to Restore the Gates
Specialist restoration will include repairing the sliding mechanism, chain, runner, and road surface, and carefully repainting the ironwork.
The Bath Road gates don’t just represent history. They keep our cemetery secure.
We’re exploring every avenue to raise the necessary funds, but we need community support to reach our £40,000 target.
Your donation will help reinstate them to full operational use and keep our site safe from unauthorised vehicle access.
Historic image of gates from a promotional pamphlet, Bristol General Cemetery Company, circa 1939. Photo: Ruth Preece
The Gates that the Community Saved
When the cemetery faced closure in the 1990s, the gates became the rallying point for local families who fought to keep access open.
Their victory preserved not only a place of rest but also a vital piece of our city’s heritage.
Today, we once again need our community to stand together and help save these gates for the future.
Local campaigners fighting to keep the cemetery gates open, from Bristol Evening Post, July 29th 1998. Photographer: Unknown
How You Can Help
Every gift, large or small, brings us closer to reopening the gates in all their glory. Please consider making a donation today to help us restore this historic landmark. Together, we can protect our heritage, honour our past, and secure our future.
