A NEW cemetery has opened in Salisbury – the first in 160 years.

The multi-faith Avenue Cemetery was officially opened on Wednesday, October 2 after four years of work.

The ceremony was attended by Idverde, Indigo Architects, PB Framing and members of the Salisbury City Council team who were all thanked for their attention to detail and hard work on the project.

Salisbury’s other cemeteries in Devizes Road and London Road, also owned by the council, are nearly full which led to the beginning of the project.

It is now the first new cemetery in the city for 160 years and is based in a 6 acre green field site off the Avenue Wilton.

The mayor of the council, Councillor John Walsh said: “The Avenue Cemetery is a delightful setting – elegant and understated in a way that will perfectly fit the requirements of the bereaved in the sad circumstances they will inevitably be visiting.”

Leader of the council Jeremy Nettle added: “I am very proud of Salisbury City Council for providing the ultimate place for local residents and neighbouring Parishes to finally rest. A tranquil and peaceful place overlooking the surrounding fields and the City. We are especially pleased that the Cemetery is a resting place for our multi-faith citizens too.”

The council says that the design is “organic and simple in nature” incorporating many sweeping paths supplemented with extensive planting to create intimate spaces.

There is also a central focal point in the form of a memorial garden which has a simple open sided wooden shelter in the centre of it.