Less than two hours from Mexico City lies the English Cemetery, located in the municipality of Real del Monte, in Hidalgo. It is a fascinating spot surrounded by mist and lush vegetation that will make you feel as if you’re in a period novel.
According to information from the Comarca Minera Geopark, this mystical cemetery was built in 1837 by a British mining company on land donated by one of its officials.
The incredible story, thoroughly documented in the conservation reports of the National School of Conservation, Restoration, and Museography (ENCRYM), indicates that a group of miners from Cornwall, England, arrived in the region around the third decade of the 19th century. They came to revive silver mining, but they brought with them their culture, the Anglican faith, and even intricate Masonic elements for burying their dead, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Hidalgo.
What you’ll find at the summit of the imposing Cerro del Inglés, at an elevation of 2,660 meters above sea level, is simply spectacular. The site is home to 755 Victorian-style graves, most of which face northeast, toward England. In addition to housing the former English community, this ground is also the final resting place for people from Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands, and China.
As you walk among slender trees, you can admire stone sarcophagi, upright headstones, and mounds of earth that have formed a harmonious blend with the local microflora and the coniferous forest over the decades.
Of course, it’s impossible to visit this architectural and scenic landmark without honoring the great local legend: Inocencio Hernández Lara, whom everyone affectionately knew as Don Chencho. According to the Comarca Minera Geopark, this noble man dedicated 47 years of his life to the meticulous care of the grounds, preserving not only the headstones but also the vibrant stories of the mining community of Mineral del Monte. Since his passing in 2011, his remains have rested proudly in the cemetery, establishing him as its eternal guardian.
Through the cemetery’s social media accounts, it was reported that some of the headstones were damaged by trees that fell on them following heavy rains in October 2026. It was also noted that the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) visited the site and is currently assessing the damage.
So grab your warmest coat, get your camera ready, and set out to explore the enigmatic English Cemetery in Real del Monte—an experience where the industrial past, culture, and the magic of the forest come together.
