Other

(lost) Hardy's tree

Inscription

none

Not strictly a memorial but irresistible to include.

As railway lines were constructed through densely built-up parts of London, they often crossed old churchyards. The son-of-a-bishop architect Arthur Blomfield was commissioned by the Bishop of London to supervise the proper exhumation of human remains and dismantling of tombs. For the Midland Railway's route across the original St. Pancras Churchyard. In about 1865 he passed this unenviable task onto his trainee, Thomas Hardy. The work was done behind hoardings and Hardy would visit to ensure the work was being done correctly.

His poem "The levelled churchyard" was surely inspired by this experience:
We late-lamented, resting here,
Are mixed to human jam,
And each to each exclaims in fear,
'I know not which I am!'

Everyone "knows" that Hardy's solution to what to do with all the headstones was to place them around this tree. However, there is a 1926 photo of these stones with no tree. The most likely explanation is that the stones were only gathered here c.1877 when the old burial ground was converted into a public garden, and that the tree self-seeded at some time after that. We thank the London Dead blog for debunking the myth.

Site: Hardy's tree (1 memorial)

NW1, Pancras Road, St Pancras Gardens

This Ash is one of the Great Trees of London.

August 2019: A parasitic fungus that has appeared on the tree means that it has been pruned and cordoned off. The CNJ reports "grave concern".

June 2022: The CNJ reported "Historic Hardy Tree WILL fall" after being weakened by storms.

December 2022: Londonist reported that the tree has fallen.

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Hardy's tree

Subjects commemorated i

Thomas Hardy

Novelist and poet, best known for his novels set in rural 'Wessex' such as Te...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

New River mosaic

New River mosaic

N1, Packington Street, Islington Green School

This mosaic mural is quite a success, with the pair of compasses disgorging the fish into the pond at the right, and James's golden crown...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Hurlingham Yacht Club

Hurlingham Yacht Club

SW15, Deodar Road, 43a

1922 is the year that the Club took on its current name, though we don't know what it was previously called. We can't discover the conne...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
September 11 Memorial Garden

September 11 Memorial Garden

W1, Grosvenor Square

From a nearby information board: "Each column of the pergola is formed from a single oak trunk. Three bronze plaques commemorate the 67 ...

68 subjects commemorated, 19 creators
Magic Square

Magic Square

WC1, John Street, 21, Haines House

Not your standard Bloomsbury terrace, this Art Deco development has always interested us but now it's got us really puzzled.  We've notic...

St George's Circus - clock tower

St George's Circus - clock tower

SE1, St George's Circus

Our image comes from Historic England where we found the designer, Groll, but don't trust the dates given there.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator