A man in a hurry gets more than he bargained for when he takes a shortcut through Arnos Vale Cemetery. He encounters a mischievous stone angel, who leads him on a fantastical journey - one with a startling destination.

The Story  Listen now

Directions Listen now 

To download the story or walking directions, right-click on the respective link (or ctrl-click for a Mac) and save the .mp3 file.

More travel directions for visiting the cemetery, including parking restrictions and public transport links, can be found on the Arnos Vale website.

Start by Bath Road Motorcycles on Bath Road. Cross to the cemetery.

Take the path left past the noticeboard, past the Anglican Chapel, then right to the graves with two stone angels.

Continue right, then left past the Garden of Rest. Take the path forking to the right.

Then take the path on the right, opposite the grave of a Norwegian seaman. Continue up to the edge of the cemetery.

Go up towards the backs of houses, then turn left until meeting a tarmac road, known as Richard Smith Road.

Turn right and go up to the gates leading to Cemetery Road. Then continue up a path to the right of a derelict lodge.

The path curves to the left, into the upper cemetery. Stop at a large stone cross, known as the Cross of Sacrifice.

Then take the path to the left that leads past war graves in what is known as Sailors’ Corner.

Stop at a brick wall, then go right until you reach a gap. Go through the gap and turn right until you reach some black railings.

Turn left, going along the wall that divides Arnos Vale from the Catholic cemetery. Then join the path that curves round to the front of the Anglican Chapel.

Continue past the two stone angels, then turn left until you reach a large Western Cedar Tree just beyond the gate to the Garden of Rest.