The builder James Burton, responsible for developing prestigious areas of London such as Regent Street, Bloomsbury and St John's Wood, had a dream one night of a garden city by the sea.

 

He was already in his late sixties, but in 1828 he nevertheless began the building of his maritime paradise, St Leonards, and his son Decimus later completed the task.  The Burton graveyard is on a high point overlooking the sea and St Leonard's Church, and an impressive pyramid sits at the centre of it.

 

Why the unusual shape?  Family tradition has it that Burton's notion was to evade the eastern curse: 'May jackasses sit on your father's grave'.

 

 

Access

In a small family graveyard off West Hill Road above St Leonrads Church.

 

 

 

 

 

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