Self-Guided Tours & Audio Walks
No matter your area of interest, we have a range of self-guided tours and audio walks for you. For history lovers, our themes include heritage, Victorian mourning practices or the historical significance of our abolitionist residents. For nature lovers, we cover wildlife, woodland networks and ecology. And for something a bit different, we also have walks discussing symbolism, a dark allegory, and the life of a famous travelling circus couple. You’re sure to find something to add to your experience visiting the park.
You can also download a map of the park here
Private Tours
Book a private tour of this historic Stoke Newington cemetery and nature reserve
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Explore the centuries-old Magnificent Seven site
Private tours allow heritage and biodiversity organisations, history societies, or informal groups of people to learn more about our Grade II listed public space. Abney Park is also Hackney’s first designated Local Nature Reserve and home to a unique ecology, exceptionally rare in urban environments.
Tours will be led by one of the Trust’s experienced, knowledgeable team. Tours will be exclusive.
If tour groups would like to visit a particular grave or ecological item, the tour leader will do their best to locate it and incorporate it in the tour.
The tour will end with an opportunity for your group to discuss the tour and ask follow-up questions of our expert guide.
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Discover the park’s unorthodox history
Abney Park is grounded in Nonconformist and dissenting heritage.
Tours will take in the graves of some of the leading radicals and Nonconformists of the last two centuries – including Chartist leader Bronterre O’Brien, Salvation Army founder William Booth and prominent Abolitionist names like Joanna Vassa and Rev. James Sherman.
Tour groups will also visit the memorials of Abney’s public servants and local heroes – including those of pioneering nurse Betsi Cadwaladr, father of modern firefighting James Braidwood; and the inspirational blind teacher Harriet Delph.
You will also visit our historic chapel, which is the oldest surviving non-denominational chapel in Europe, known for its distinctive architecture and also featured in Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black music video in 2007.
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How our bespoke private tours work
Bookings are open to any formal or informal group or organisation. A donation of £10 per person will be charged, with a minimum donation of £50. Groups of over 20 can benefit from a flat rate of £200.
Proceeds will be reinvested into the Abney Park Trust’s vital work in preserving and advocating for this precious historic site through grave maintenance and restoration work, archive management, events and community engagement and much more.
Tours can take place in the morning, afternoon or evening (during summer opening times).
Groups can enquire by emailing info@abneypark.org.
Capital Ring Walk
Discover Abney Park as part of your Capital Ring Walk
Founded in 2003, the Capital Ring is one of the best-known walking trails in England. The 78-mile trail forms a complete loop around the capital, passing through 50 parks and green spaces. Divided into 15 sections, it highlights numerous points of interest within seven miles of central London.
Sections 12 and 13 of the Capital Ring both include Abney as part of the route, so you can choose to walk either or both as part of your trip.
To make the most of your time here, you can also incorporate one of our free self-guided tours or audio walks to learn more about our history, residents or ecology.
You can get more information about making Abney a part of your Capital Ring walk, including detailed instructions, here: