In a quiet corner of a typical English churchyard, lies a man who was definitely not typical. In fact, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, would probably have a few things to say about being buried here at all.
All Saints Church in Minstead is a quirky building, added to over the years so it now forms a T-shape, with two interior balconies and ante-chambers. But even this unusual layout wouldn’t have appeased Sir Arthur. As an avowed Spiritualist, he didn’t want to end up in a church graveyard. And this wasn’t where he was initially buried.
After he died in 1930, he was interred in the rose garden of his home, Windlesham. Allegedly he was buried standing up – but I can’t find any evidence to support that! His wife Jean was buried next to him in 1940, but after the house was sold out of the family they were both re-buried in All Saints Churchyard. They had a country home, Bignall Wood, in Minstead, so there is a connection for both of them to the place. Nevertheless, they apparently had to inter them as far from the church as possible due to Sir Arthur’s Spiritualist beliefs.
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The older gravestones in the churchyard sit in tall waving grass, but Sir Arthur’s grave is easily found towards the back, underneath a tree, a pipe resting on top.
I must confess I’ve never actually read any of the Sherlock Holmes books although I’ve seen plenty of TV and film adaptations. But as a child, I listened repeatedly to “The Lost World” on tape, as it appealed to my adventurous side. Sir Arthurs impact as a writer can’t be overstated, even if he did come to dislike his most famous creation. His life was almost as interesting as his stories, with his involvement in the case of George Edalji, and the infamous Cottingley Fairies to name but two interesting events.
It’s worth visiting if you’re a fan, or just in the area. Plus the village is nestled in the beautiful New Forest, which is full of other great places to visit.
Have you visited Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s grave or anywhere else linked to him? Let me know or just leave a comment if you enjoyed this post!
04/08/2019 at 7:33 PM
I had no idea he was buried there. You should read the books they’re very good and must are just short stories
05/08/2019 at 5:39 PM
Yes it was a surprise. I find a quick search of an area I’m visiting can throw up all sorts of interesting results! I definitely have his stories on my ‘To read’ list.
06/08/2019 at 12:24 PM
I should try that kind of search too. I found them really interesting but the later stories show a little of his hatred of Sherlock as he loses interest.
19/06/2021 at 11:37 AM
There s currently a magnifying glass as well as a pipe ! Visited today because I needed to find a suitable hiding place for a little coin for it’s part in an international game called Snag the Tag, which is a game within the game of Geocaching. The current game is based on Sherlock Holmes ! I’m quite local so am familiar with the place. It was a little ironic that there was a funeral being conducted when I arrived , so discretion was the name of the game. Had a great chat with the vicar a little later .
19/06/2021 at 4:45 PM
Interesting to hear about the (very appropriate addition). A great place for a geocaching SH themed item too! It’s a nice church as well.
02/03/2022 at 5:53 AM
As former residents of nearby Christchurch and Ringwood, my late wife and I spent many hours in the lovely New Forest. Best in winter, with trees heavy with frost, and roads almost devoid of traffic – in the late 1960s, that was.
On one of our spring drives we came across Minstead’s church, a fascinating little place, we thought, with its ancient baptismal font and stone slab before it, the latter dished by many feet over the centuries. Can’t remember the proper names for them, but I remember there a few private side enclosures, at least one with its tiny fireplace. A fascinating little church, indeed, and well worth a visit or two.
Outside once more, we wandered round the back of the church, and there were surprised to come across the grave of Sir Arthur, a tree, perhaps an oak, a few feet away. Sir Arthur had been deeply involved with his belief of the spiritual world, and I, as a deep meditator of many years, could identify with some of his experiences of it. one book I have read described some – seemingly bizarre, perhaps, to some – experiences of his and the group of similarly interested friends of his. A pity, but I’m afraid I do not remember the book’s title. Thank you for your having helped me recall the memory of that occasion from your Web site.