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Arnos Vale Awarded £4.8 Million Heritage Lottery Funding

Bristol’s Arnos Vale has been awarded a landmark £4.8 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 After more than 20 years of uncertainty, the future of the 45-acre Victorian cemetery is now secure.

 The money will be used to restore Arnos Vale’s historic buildings, monuments and some landscaping, and to create educational, family history and community facilities for the people of Bristol.

 The award represents about 75 per cent of the total cost of restoring, preserving and managing the site for the benefit of future generations.

 It is the culmination of years of tireless campaigning by dedicated volunteers, Bristol City Council and the wider community to preserve Arnos Vale and protect it from development.

 Chairman of the Trustees Richard Smith said: “This is the best news we could possibly have had the week before Christmas.

 “So many people have worked so long and so hard to save Arnos Vale and this award is the culmination of all our efforts. 

“Without the incredible support from the City Council and the Bristol public we could never have come this far.

 “On behalf of all those families with connections to Arnos Vale, and everyone who has helped us fight to save Bristol’s ‘forgotten jewel’, I’d like to express our most sincere thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund.” 

Adrian Tinniswood, Chair of HLF’s South West Committee added; “Arnos Vale Cemetery is an absolute gem, filled with historic buildings and monuments, and a haven for wildlife. We are thrilled to help restore the site to its former glory and open it up for as many people as possible to enjoy, locals and visitors alike.” 

Bristol City Councillor Simon Cook said: "Arnos Vale must be architecturally one of the finest Victorian cemeteries in the UK. 

"This £4.8 million HLF grant is excellent news as it demonstrates national recognition of the international importance of the cemetery and its place in Bristol's heritage. 

"The money will be used to preserve and develop the cemetery so visitors can experience and enjoy its peace and tranquillity as well as its unique ecological environment and outstanding buildings and monuments." 

In order to secure the grant, the Trustees of Arnos Vale put together a comprehensive proposal outlining their plans for the future of the site, together with examples of how they and their supporters have already raised considerable funding. 

An ongoing strategy is in place to achieve the remaining funding from public and corporate donations, charitable bodies and foundations. 

In addition the Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery, a 500-strong group of supporters, have worked very hard to raise many thousands of pounds. 

Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust manages and runs the cemetery on behalf of Bristol City Council who compulsorily purchased it for the benefit of the people of Bristol in 2003. 

The first phase of the restoration programme to restore The West Lodge, one of two Grade 2* listed buildings at the main entrance to the site, is now complete. The Lodge will officially reopen as a visitor reception centre in the spring. 

Richard Smith said: “Now we’ve been given this grant, we can begin the process of planning the work on the other buildings.  

“This includes the restoration of the East Lodge, the conversion of the Non-Conformist Chapel into an education centre, and the restoration of the Anglican Chapel.” 

Some of the site will be managed as an important nature and wildlife resource.