- Where?
- Crossbones Graveyard, Redcross Way, Southwark
- When?
- Held on the 23rd of every month
- Usually starts at 7 PM
- Price?
- Free to watch, but donations are always welcome · See crossbones.org
- Parking:
- Nearby car parks
- Trains:
- The closest station is Borough Northern
- Other nearby stations: London Bridge
- Train fares
Here's something a bit different, the next time you find yourself with a spare ten minutes on the 23rd of the month -- because it always happens on the 23rd.
Crossbones was an old burial ground that dates all the way back to medieval times. It was situated near the old Clink Prison, in the lawless part of London outside the city limits. This was where they had all the brothels and theatres (like Shakespeare's Globe). These days you'll find places like Southwark Cathedral, The Shard and Borough Market.
15,000 paupers are believed to have been buried here until its final closure in 1853. When the site was rediscovered in the 1990s it began to attract a monthly gathering of people who would come to honour these outcasts of society.
On any normal day all you'll see is a big rusty gate tied with hundreds of ribbons, flowers, feathers and bits of jewellery. But if you pop by at 7 PM on the 23rd of the month then you'll see a big gathering of people swapping stories, singing songs and reciting poems.
The vigil is secular and open to all faiths, but if you'd like to take part then it will be appreciated if you bring a flower, a ribbon, or some other kind of memento to tie to the shrine.
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