Overview
St Albans City and District Council appointed Fitzpatrick Woolmer to develop a coordinated family of welcome and wayfinding signage across Hatfield Road, London Road and Westfield Road Cemeteries. The aim was to create a unified appearance across all three sites, giving visitors clear, recognisable information while respecting the quiet and sensitive character of each cemetery.
The brief
The project called for a consistent visual language that could work across the three cemeteries while still responding to the individual identity and requirements of each site.
Welcome signage needed to provide essential information such as opening times, visitor guidance and site regulations, while clear wayfinding would help visitors navigate the larger spaces and locate key destinations. At the same time, there was an opportunity to go beyond purely functional signage and help visitors discover more about the history, landscape, habitats and wildlife of these important places.
The signage was designed to feel clear, calm and sympathetic to its surroundings. A consistent visual identity creates familiarity across the Council’s cemeteries, while carefully considered materials and understated detailing ensure the signage sits comfortably within the landscape.
For the mapping, we wanted to combine practical clarity with a softer, more human quality. Bespoke 3D watercolour maps provide an accessible way to understand each cemetery, while their illustrated character feels appropriate to the peaceful setting.
Our approach
We worked closely with the Council to develop a coordinated signage family that could be adapted across the three sites. Welcome signs provide visitors with key information, while contemporary fingerposts at Hatfield Road Cemetery guide people towards important destinations.
A central feature of the scheme was the creation of bespoke 3D watercolour maps for Hatfield Road and London Road Cemeteries. Developed by our in-house creative studio, the maps clearly show individual burial areas, paths, landscape features and visitor facilities, helping visitors understand their surroundings and locate graves more easily.
At Hatfield Road and London Road, the maps are accompanied by interpretation exploring the history, habitats and wildlife of each cemetery. This transforms the orientation points into places of discovery, encouraging visitors to look more closely at the character and heritage of the landscapes around them.
The signage combines powder-coated stainless steel signs from our Richmond range with durable printed graphic panels. n-Viro™ panels with DuoGuard™ anti-graffiti protection provide a robust and long-lasting finish, ensuring the information remains clear and well-presented over time.
The result
Together, the scheme creates a coherent identity across St Albans City and District Council’s cemeteries, making each site easier to navigate while providing visitors with clear and reassuring information.
By combining thoughtful wayfinding with beautifully illustrated mapping and interpretation, the project also gives visitors an opportunity to discover the stories, wildlife and landscapes within these important places, creating a signage scheme that is both practical and respectful of the environment it serves.
