To reach the Egyptian Revivalist entrance to Abney Park, exit Stoke Newington overground station, turn right and walk 200 metres. Then brace yourself, because the inside's an absolute stunner. You'll have the choice of two paths. Pick the left if you want to withhold yourself from the immediate pleasure of discovering its centrepiece: the disused nonconformist gothic chapel designed by William Hosking. It fully compensates for the rather unattractive entrance, which he also designed. All the windows are shattered, with little fragments of coloured glass clinging to the frames, but otherwise it's in remarkably good condition.
Certain of my friends will be interested to learn that Abney Park was Europe's first fully nondenominational cemetery, which goes some way to explain the wildly divergent styles of grave markers evidenced here. Certain other friends will be interested to know that parts of Amy Winehouse's Back to Blackvideo were filmed in the park. You can see the chapel behind her repeatedly in the burial scene.
It alone would be worth a trip to London from within the UK, for sure. But I think you might want to do at least one other touristy thing if coming from further away. ;)
I only had about 45 minutes to dash around the place and it started raining just as I was leaving. I'll make another, more leisurely visit soon - and give you some advance warning of that!
Heh, forgiven ;) there are so many lovely places to eat as well, so very much worth another trip! You and the bloke are welcome aboard the good ship anytime. Xx
