3 Tombstones In Churchyard 12 Metres To North Of Church Tower

There are three tombstones located in the churchyard, 12 metres north of the church tower in Great Gaddesden. The tombstones commemorate individuals from the 18th century: Wells from 1760, John Wells of St. Margaret, Gent from 1740, and Thomas Meadows from 1748. They are made of white freestone and stand a little over one metre tall. The first two tombstones share a similar design featuring an ornate baroque carved panel above the inscribed plain slab. John Wells' slab is particularly notable for its fine letter-cutting, showcasing overlapping asymmetrical winged cherubs' heads looking inwards above acanthus sprays, all framed by a vigorous design of scrolls and counter-scrolls. The 1760 slab has a similar style, but the cherubs' heads are symmetrical and face outwards. The Meadows slab is simpler, featuring a narrow carved panel at the top with a cherub's head in a lunette and scrolls at each end.