Restoration of Burton’s Mausoleum hopes to reopen a hidden door

A mausoleum in the shape of a Bedouin tent, including a window to look inside, is to be restored if the local heritage group can complete their fundraising campaign.

The unusual mausoleum is in Mortlake and contains the earthly remains of the Victorian explorer, Sir Richard Burton, who was famed for his explorations and was said to be able to speak 29 languages. The mausoleum was designed by his wife in the shape of the tent they had spent so much time in while travelling around the Middle East, and apart from its obviously unusual shape, it even features a ladder at the back to climb up and a glass window to peer into the tomb itself.

The mausoleum also used to have a door, but that was blocked off about 50 years ago, and can be hard to see, but it’s obvious in hindsight — it’s where the stone plaques are on the front of the tomb.

That used to be a door—and the intention is to reopen it so that on special days, the public can go inside and admire the deathly tent’s interior. Habitats & Heritage, the organisation behind the restoration, already opens the nearby Kilmorey Mausoleum a few times a year, so they are well-versed in how to manage it.

The project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will restore the mausoleum and its surroundings and deliver an educational programme during the works.

There’s also a fundraiser to complete the works, details are here.

You can visit the mausoleum most days as it’s in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, Mortlake – generally open 9am to 3pm, but check with the church if making a long journey in case the grounds are closed.