After a pretty exhausting & stressful week, I spent much of Saturday afternoon wandering around Brompton Cemetery on a glorious chilly clear winter’s day, taking photos of stone, remembrances and small furry critters with bad teeth.

Quite apt, really, given that it seems Beatrix Potter may have got inspiration for her character names (including a certain Mr S. Nutkin) from gravestones in Brompton cemetery, when she lived around the corner in The Boltons:

He was totally angling for something - I’m afraid other visitors had spoiled him somewhat, by allowing him to feast on nuts and such. I was much stingier than that, so I thought he might go for my ankles. Cheeky little fecker.

…it is said that Mr McGregor’s walled garden was based on the colonnades. Names on headstones included Mr Nutkins, Mr McGregor, a Tod (with that unusual single ‘d’ spelling), Jeremiah Fisher, Tommy Brock - and even a Peter Rabbett.

Another favourite photo from the day:

Anyway, if you’re in the London area and haven’t already visited Brompton Cemetery, I’d strongly recommend it, especially on a lovely day like yesterday. Be aware, however, that it’s a popular gay cruising spot - so don’t be surprised if you see a lot of hunky blokes hanging around admiring the architecture - and there are usually a few drug dealers hanging about. Course, both of those might be just the incentive you need….