Grave of Henry Morton Stanley – Pirbright Walking Path loop from Pirbright
Grave of Henry Morton Stanley – Pirbright Walking Path loop from Pirbright
4.3
(7)
40
hikers
Grave of Henry Morton Stanley – Pirbright Walking Path loop from Pirbright
01:43
6.68km
30m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: July 16, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
54 m
The White Hart
Highlight • Pub
Tip by
275 m
Grave of Henry Morton Stanley
Highlight • Historical Site
Stanley is famous for his search and discovery in 1871 of the Scottish missionary and explorer Dr David Livingstone. He later also searched for the sources of the Nile and Congo rivers. When Stanley found Livingstone at Ujiji on Lake Tanganyika he greeted him with the famous words “Dr Livingstone, I presume?”
Dr Livingstone is buried in Westminster Abbey. Stanley hoped to be buried in Westminster Abbey too, near to Livingstone. However, this honour was not granted due to his name being tainted apparently by African atrocities. Stanley spent most of the final years of his life at Furze Hill near Pirbright in Surrey. He is buried in the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels Church in Pirbright. His grave is marked by a large piece of inscribed Dartmoor granite that includes his African nickname of “Bula Matari”.
It was a delight and an inspiring experience to see the grave of such a remarkable man!
Tip by
398 m
Church Lane
Highlight • Trail
431 m
St Michael and All Angels Church, Pirbright
Highlight • Religious Site
The first church on this site was built between 1210 and 1214 during the reign of King John. By 1783 this old church had become delapidated. About this time a coach carrying King George III overturned while travelling through Pirbright. The village people rescued him and provided aid until his coach was repaired. As a measure of his gratitude the King issued a petition for churches across England to contribute to the rebuilding of Pirbright Church. The old church was removed and a pleasant new St Michael and All Angels church was built that we still see today.
Inside the church on its north wall is a brass memorial to Ross Lowis Mangles. Mangles was a British administrator in India and was the first civilian to be awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry. After retiring from Indian service Mangles lived in Pirbright.
At the east end of the church’s large graveyard is the grave to Sir H. M. Stanley, the famous African explorer who searched for and found Dr David Livingstone in 1871. Stanley spent his final years living in Pirbright.
Tip by
2.30 km
Wooden Fence Along Country Path
Highlight • Trail
2.68 km
Quiet Country Lane
Highlight • Trail
6.39 km
The Cricketers, Pirbright
Highlight • Pub
6.41 km
Pirbright Walking Path
Highlight • Trail
6.68 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.59 km
2.48 km
931 m
366 m
196 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
2.12 km
2.11 km
1.05 km
556 m
507 m
140 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Thursday 16 July
29°C
12°C
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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