The Kilmorey Mausoleum (Including Enclosure Wall, Railings and Gate)

The Kilmorey Mausoleum, along with its enclosure wall, railings, and gate, was designed in 1854 by Henry Kendall junior for Francis Needham, second Earl of Kilmorey. It was originally built in Brompton Cemetery, then relocated to Woburn Park near Weybridge around 1862, before finally being moved to its present location in approximately 1868.

The mausoleum is constructed from pink and grey granite, with a bronze door, and a partially glazed roof. The enclosure wall is brick, rendered and topped with stone coping, punctuated by piers shaped as pink granite obelisks with incised decoration. Cast-iron railings, though not complete, run along the wall, alongside gates. The mausoleum itself is 15 feet square and stands within a walled enclosure, formerly part of the grounds of Gordon House. An octagonal dwarf wall featuring a gateway sits on the east side, preceding the door.

The architectural style is Egyptian, featuring battered sides above a plinth of grey granite, with beaded decoration to the arrises. Pink granite details the door surrounds and cavetto cornice. Lotus flower decoration frames the bronze door (functioning on the east side and of granite on the other three sides), which is adorned with stars set within squares. The cornice displays winged sun-discs with serpents.

The interior is unusually elaborate, lined with pink and grey granite. Two lead-lapped coffins rest on a granite shelf that runs around three sides of the chamber. A Neoclassical marble relief by Lawrence Macdonald of Rome depicts a deathbed scene, with an angel pointing heavenwards.

The mausoleum was originally erected to house the remains of Priscilla Hoste (1723-1854), mistress of Lord Kilmorey and mother of his son Charles. Drawings signed by Kendall and Pope, architects, are held at the Public Record Office. This is a fine example of an Egyptian-style mausoleum, notable for its well-preserved interior and unique history of relocation—reflecting Lord Kilmorey’s affection for his mistress—and it sustained some damage in the storms of 1987.