Grantham Cemetery was established in 1857 by the Grantham Burial Board, at a cost of about £5000. It was originally laid out on 6 acres of land to the east of Harrowby Road, which had been purchased from Lord Harrowby. The cemetery was extended to the east in 1871, with the purchase of an additional three acres. Further extensions to the east were added in 1913, and more extensively in the late 20th century, when a further burial area, a crematorium and cremation ground were added from the designs of the town planner and landscape architect Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe. The greater part of the cemetery is laid out in an irregular grid pattern, with paths linking each part and larger avenues forming subdivisions. The main entrance lies on Harrowby Road, towards the northern end of its western boundary, which is defined by a low brick boundary wall with stone copings and ashlar stone gatepiers. A cemetery lodge originally stood on the northern side of the entrance, although this was replaced by a private residence in the mid 20th century. The entrance road leads on to a pair of attached mortuary chapels (see MLI126024), and a memorial to the fallen of both World Wars lies further inside (see MLI126025). Grantham cemetery was assessed by Historic England in November 2017, for its possible designation as registered parkland of special historic interest. It was decided that the criteria for designation was not met in this instance, as whilst the cemetery was thought to possess local significance, it was felt that it lacked the special and innovative character required for national registration. {1}{2}{3}