Grave Pursuit: A Guide to Unearthing Jack the Ripper’s Victims’ Final Resting Places

16th January 2024

Welcome to the mysterious realm of Victorian London, where the infamous Jack the Ripper left an indelible mark on history. In this article, we embark on a chilling journey to unravel the secrets of the past and guide you through the intricate process of discovering the resting places of Jack the Ripper’s victims. From the fog-laden alleyways to the hidden corners of historical cemeteries, join us as we delve into the enigmatic task of locating these haunting graves, shedding light on a chapter of true crime that continues to captivate the world. Are you ready to step into the shadows and unlock the secrets buried beneath the cobblestone streets? Let’s embark on this historical quest together.

Well, not quite, “dear boss!” So far, so clichéd. We have all heard similar embellishments, setting the scene for some new revelation about Saucy Jack. I am not about to unmask the true identity of Jack the Ripper, propose a new theory, or add any new information regarding the case.

There are plenty of Jack the Ripper walking tours and guides—probably hundreds—but most of these (maybe all, in fact) focus on the locations where the grisly murders took place: the dimly lit backstreets and hidden recesses of Whitechapel and Aldwych. So instead, this guide will show you where to find the actual gravesites of the victims, including the nearest tube stations to use, directions to follow, and details of cemetery opening hours (included at the end of the article).

I will be focusing on the “Canonical Five,” the quintet of unfortunate working girls who are considered by most historians, Ripperologists, and crime scene experts to be the bona fide murder victims to have died by the blade of the Ripper: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. Of these, two have actual graves, and three have memorial plaques to commemorate them.

Unveiling History: Navigating the Shadows to Discover the Graves of Jack the Ripper’s Victims

This pilgrimage will take you to the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park Cemetery, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, and East London Cemetery—all within the east end of London—and will take approximately half a day.

All the cemeteries featured can be reached by public transport, and this guide will show you the closest tube stations to reach each destination (every graveyard is a short 10-minute walk from the exits). If you live in London, you’ve probably got an Oyster card already; if not, use a contactless payment or travel card. You will also need a map to help steer you to each graveyard from each transport hub. I recommend using Google Maps on your phone for this.

I have chosen Liverpool Street Station as the starting point as it is a central transport hub that is easy to reach from all directions around London, but adjust the route to suit your needs.

Mento Mori

As with all things related to Jack the Ripper, there is a certain element of ghoulishness attached to this grave hunt, and those taking part will no doubt have a degree of morbid curiosity in their nature. But it is important to remember when visiting these gravesites, the terrible circumstances in which these poor souls were slain. Furthermore, cemeteries are places of reflection, remembrance, and final resting; burials still take place at these locations on a daily basis, so please be respectful when visiting. No cavorting around in your underpants, swigging meths, or attempting to raise the dark lord.

When paying your respects, you might notice that previous visitors have left coins as a small mark of respect, so why not make the same gesture as you tour each site? Grant these ladies the dignity in death that was tragically denied to them in life.

City of London Cemetery (Mary Ann Nichols and Catherine Eddowes)

Take the Elizabeth line from Liverpool Street Station to Manor Park (approximately 10 minutes). At the exit, turn left and keep going straight along Forest Drive for another 10 minutes or so until you see the very grand entrance to the City of London Cemetery. There is an information desk by the main gate where you can ask for a free map that pinpoints the locations of notable people buried within (in addition to Mary Ann Nichols and Catherine Eddowes, you can also find Bobby Moore and John Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, if you wish). If you choose not to use a map, take the path on the right after the entrance until you see a sign saying “Traditional Crematorium” on your left-hand side. Keep going until you reach a junction point, then turn left and head towards the Traditional Crematorium (you should see it from a distance). When you reach it, go around it and keep going straight. After you pass a small fish pond on your right-hand side, take the next right turn along Memorial Gardens/Gardens Way and keep going straight. You will pass a short wall and a line of trees before reaching a row of flower beds on your right. On the grass in front of the flower beds, you will find the memorial plaque for Mary Ann Nichols.

The grave of Mary Ann Nichols in City of London Cemetery. The first of Jack the Ripper’s “Canonical Five” victims.

In the photo, you can see the coins that previous visitors have left, so if you can, why not do the same too as a small token of respect?

Now keep going in the same direction until you pass an information board on your left. Just past this on the grass (look down on the left-hand side of the path), you will find the plaque for Catherine Eddowes.

The grave of Catherine Eddowes in City of London Cemetery. The fourth of Jack the Ripper’s “Canonical Five” victims.

Manor Park Cemetery (Annie Chapman)

Leave the cemetery and go back the way you came, heading towards the tube station, but this time, just before you reach Manor Park, turn right and head down Whitta Road. At the end of the street, you will arrive at Manor Park Cemetery.

This should be the easiest grave site to locate, as it can be found just 2 minutes away from the entrance gate! Head straight along the path and look to your left. Before you reach a row of trees ahead, you will notice a distinct cutoff point separating modern graves from older ones on the left-hand side of the path you are on. Cut across the grass along this imaginary diving line, and on the edge of the raised grass verge area directly ahead, you will find the memorial plaque for Annie Chapman.

The grave of Annie Chapman in Manor Park Cemetery. The second of Jack the Ripper’s “Canonical Five” victims.

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Mary Jane Kelly)

Exit the cemetery and go back to Manor Park Station, but this time catch the Elizabeth Line to Maryland. At the station exit, cross the main road at the traffic lights and walk straight along Leytonstone Road (the direction you should be heading from the station is right). Follow the main road until you reach Victoria Road on the left (approximately 10 minutes). Take this road until the end, and then follow Langthorne Road until you arrive at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cemetery. (I advise using Google Maps to make sure you follow the correct route from the station to this cemetery.)

For me, this is the most impressive graveyard to look at of the four you will be visiting. The higgledy-piggledy mishmash of crooked and weathered old graves ebues this burial ground with a strong sense of character and charm (to my eye at least). Anyway, follow the main path from the graveyard gates that winds to the right around the cemetery chapel. Keep to this main path and keep bearing (and looking) to the right. Shortly, you should notice a small yet distinctive statue of a footballer cast in white. Next to this, again on the right, is the grave of Mary Kelly. (You will notice the gravestone bears the name “Marie Jeanette Kelly,” an alias she often used.)

The grave of Mary Jane Kelly (a.k.a. Marie Jeanette Kelly) in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cemetery. The last of Jack the Ripper’s “Canonical Five” victims.

East London Cemetery (Elizabeth Stride)

This time, when you leave the cemetery, turn right, follow Elmore Road, and head over the railway passover to Leyton Station. Use Google Maps to steer you if you are unsure which way to go. From there, take the Central Line train for one stop to Stratford Station, where you will need to change to the Jubilee Line for one stop to West Ham Station. The East London Cemetery is a short 10-minute walk from the station; it’s an easy route to navigate using a map, but not so easy to explain, so let Google Maps be your pilot once again to take you to your final destination on the tour.

Upon entering the cemetery, head straight towards the prominent Celtic cross ahead of you. Turn left when you reach it, following the path as it swings to the right. Keep looking to your left as you walk along the pathway until you see a gravel track on the same side. This will take you directly to the gravesite of Elizabeth Stride, and your mission is complete!

The grave of Elizabeth Stride in East London Cemetery. The third of Jack the Ripper’s “Canonical Five” victims.

In addition to Elizabeth Stride, the bodies of two other potential victims of Jack the Ripper are buried within the East London Cemetery—Alice McKenzie and Francis Cole—plus the dismembered (and unidentified) torso found at Pinchin Street in 1889. Sadly, however, their final resting places are unmarked, but spare a thought for them when you visit.

From here, you can retrace your steps back to West Ham Station, where you should be able to easily get to central London via the Jubilee Line and then onwards towards where you need to get to. All that remains to be said now is: R.I.P. to Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly.

Cemetery Details

Please double-check the opening times on each cemetery website before visiting (these change between summer and winter).

City of London Cemetery

Aldersbrook Rd, London E12 5DQ
9am—4:30pm

Manor Park Cemetery

Sebert Rd, London E7 0NP
9am—3pm

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cemetery

Langthorne Rd, London E11 4HL
8am—4pm

East London Cemetery

Grange Road, Plaistow, London E13 0HB
8:30am—4:30pm