Visiting Sun Rising
Visiting Sun Rising
Opening Hours
Sun Rising is open every day of the year.
8 am - 5 pm, October to March
8 am - 8 pm, April to September
As a small organisation, there is not always a member of staff on site, but you are welcome to contact us in advance to arrange a meeting or if you need any assistance or information.
Please remember that Sun Rising is a nature reserve: dress for the weather and wear sensible shoes. Dogs are not allowed onsite.
To get in touch, please see our Contact Us page.
Toilet Facilities
There is an eco-toilet ('sit down') and there are urinals ('stand up') near the north car park, and an eco-toilet in Nova's cabin near the south car park. However, please note that these are not public toilets. They are only open for funerals and other events.
Accessibility for Visitors with Different Mobility
Sun Rising aims to be accessible for all. However, we are a nature reserve and as such may not be entirely accessible to everyone. We advise all visitors with different mobility to call ahead of an intended visit and discuss specific needs.
It is possible for us to unlock the internal gates to allow vehicular access to within 50 yards of any grave. Stone tracks and mown paths may be bumpy for wheelchair users but are fine for sturdy motorised scooters. Our Tramper off-road scooter may be available for supervised use by visitors who call well in advance.
In the summer, much of the burial ground and nature reserve is covered in long grass, but paths are mown to allow for access to most new graves. Older graves become wilder and hard to reach for those with limited mobility. All the buildings have ramps.
Please call or email if you have any queries.
Finding a Grave
At a natural burial it is not always easy to find a grave. At Sun Rising, meadow graves are not marked. Woodland graves may have a small slate plaque, but this will not be installed until the grave has settled. Where a tree plaque has been ordered, there may be a temporary grave marker if the family have requested it.
Families may believe they know just which their loved one's grave is, but nature changes - grass grows or is mown, trees are in leaf or bare; other grave plots are used; even the colours of the wide open skies can confuse us. We know how distressing it can be for someone unable to find a particular grave: if you would like help locating a grave, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We can send a map in advance, direct you over the phone, or meet you onsite. We are here to help at this difficult time.
For those of a technical disposition, we can give you a grid reference or a what3words code to find a particular grave.
You may also like to know that each burial area has a name, for example, Robert's Wood and Betty's Meadow. The name is that of the first person who was laid to rest in that area. Let us know if you'd like to know the area name for your loved one.
Flowers and Other Offerings
Families and friends may leave natural cut flowers on graves. However, as a nature reserve, we have strict regulations as to what is permitted. Please check our Floral Tributes page:
In accordance with our Cemetery Regulations, ornaments, spinners, vases, jars or grave markers are not permitted at Sun Rising. All plaques must be purchased through us, as must any temporary wooden marker. We remove and dispose of anything else that is placed on a grave. Our aim is to keep the burial ground looking natural, unlike a cemetery.
Tending and Planting on a Grave
Families are not permitted to tend individual graves. We care for every grave with equal care, nurturing the development of the nature reserve. Newer graves are likely to be more accessible, while older graves become wilder. The grasses and flowers are cut back once a year, between June and October, with a few areas left a little longer to extend their use as natural habitats. If you are worried about the look of your loved one's grave, please get in touch.
Graves are left to settle naturally. This may take a good six months, wet weather helping the natural process. The raw clay can look harsh on a new grave, but gradually sunshine, rain and frost will break up the soil, softening it and allowing seeds to take hold and grow. In the first summer, a grave may begin to green over, but the first arrivals are always those rather tatty plants we tend to think of as weeds: dandelions, charlock, wild carrot, sow thistle and other thistles. In the second year, however, the wildflowers will begin to show. Like so much in nature, the process requires our patience.
Sometimes it is possible to give nature a helping hand, and where families would like to sow seed, put in bulbs or little plants, this may be fine - but you must ask us first, letting us know what you intend to plant so we can let you know if it is suitable. We remove all non-native plants and garden cultivars.
At our autumn Planting Day each year, we usually have a few thousand bulbs and plants that families can purchase to plant on graves. At some times of year, we have packets of wildflower seeds that are especially selected and appropriate for the natural burial ground and nature reserve. Let us know if you are interested.
If you feel you'd like to get more involved with the development of the nature reserve, and would like your loved one's grave planted more fully or quickly, let us know and we can talk through options and possibilities.
Busy Times
The information below may help you to plan your visit. Times listed let you know when one or both of the car parks are likely to be busy in the next two weeks.
April 2024
Friday April 19
- 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Saturday April 20
- 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Thursday April 25
- 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday April 26
- 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Saturday April 27
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Tuesday April 30
- 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Directions
Sun Rising can easily be found just off the A422 (Banbury to Stratford upon Avon road).
From Stratford: the site is signposted as 'Natural Burial Ground' both before and opposite the turn. Turn right just before Sun Rising Hill; it is the second turning signposted to Tysoe. Don't turn off the A422 until you see the sign!
From Banbury: turn left at the bottom of Sun Rising Hill - the site is signposted as 'Natural Burial Ground' opposite the turn.
USING DIGITAL TECH
Postcode: CV35 0DG. NB: this postcode was set up in 2019. It will work on a smart phone or new Sat Nav, but not an older system.
Grid reference: SP 35050 45811
Longitude and Latitude: 52.109522 - 1.4896213
What3words:
South Entrance /// forget.brambles.debt
North Entrance ///overcomes.store.muddle
Make sure you know which entrance and car park you need to use.
NB: Always head to the burial ground, not the office: all meetings take place onsite.
PRINTABLE MAPS
The following pdfs can be downloaded and printed, or digitally distributed.
Directions from the North and East
Directions from the South and West
NORTH or SOUTH
There are two entrances and two car parks at Sun Rising. The North Entrance is close to the Longhouse and Robin's Cabin. There is parking for 20 cars, with an overflow holding a further 10 cars, plus an area near the Longhouse for hearse, limousines or disabled cars. The South Entrance is closer to the Roundhouse and Nova's Cabin. There is space for 20 cars. For a meeting, funeral or other event, a family will have been told which entrance and car park to use. If you have a query, please get in touch. There are no marked disabled bays: visitors with mobility limitations are advised to contact us beforehand.
The Two Car Parks at Sun Rising
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Rail: both Stratford upon Avon and Banbury have railway stations, Stratford is 11 miles away, Banbury 9 miles away.
Bus: Stagecoach bus numbers 76 and 76A travel between Stratford and Banbury, coming through Tysoe. There are only a few each weekday and Saturday, so it is worth checking the timetables on their website or contacting them for confirmation.
Taxi: if you would prefer to take a taxi from the rail stations, we would suggest Stratford Taxis (01789 414007) from Stratford, and Castle Cars from Banbury (01295 270011). Do ask for a quote, including waiting and return journey, when you call them to book a car.