275 St Margaret’s Road, Twickenham, London TW1 1PN
Kilmorey Mausoleum
Unusual place
Source image
5.1
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Donation
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.1A Victorian tomb that moved house twice—and was eventually joined to its owner’s home by a tunnel. Behind its high boundary wall, the Egyptian-style mausoleum holds the story of Priscilla Hoste and the 2nd Earl of Kilmorey.
This is not a landscape escape but a compelling piece of hidden historic fabric: a striking Egyptian Revival tomb with an unusual, well-documented story of scandal, relocation and a rediscovered tunnel. Its restricted opening makes a visit something to plan around.
Atmospheric · Quirky
Find your way
Open map275 St Margaret’s Road, Twickenham, London TW1 1PN
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The experience
A short, access-dependent heritage visit centred on the mausoleum’s Egyptian-inspired exterior, the story of Priscilla Hoste and Francis Jack Needham, and the building’s repeated relocation. Interior access is only available on selected occasions.
Things to do
Study the Egyptian Revival exterior
Look closely at the pink and grey granite mausoleum and its design, described as drawing on the form of shrines at the heart of Egyptian temples.
10–20 minutes
Hear the story of Priscilla Hoste and the Earl
On an organised visit, explore the relationship between Priscilla Hoste and Francis Jack Needham, and the circumstances behind the mausoleum’s construction.
Allow time for the event’s talk
See the interior, if included in your visit
Selected events have offered a look inside the mausoleum. The interior contains coffins and a marble relief; access is not available on every visit or date.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 30–60 minutes, if access is available
Quick Escape: the wandering tomb
- 01
Check Habitats & Heritage for a current open day or arrange a group visit before setting out.
- 02
Examine the mausoleum’s Egyptian-style form and pink and grey granite from the permitted visitor area.
- 03
If the event includes interior access, view the coffins and marble relief and hear the site’s history.
Verified history
Francis Jack Needham, the 2nd Earl of Kilmorey, commissioned the mausoleum for Priscilla Hoste. It was first erected at Brompton Cemetery in 1854, then moved to Woburn Park in 1862 and to its present area in 1868. Priscilla died in 1854; the Earl was later buried beside her. The Egyptian-style design is attributed to architect H. E. Kendall, and the structure was made from Scottish granite. A tunnel beneath what is now Kilmorey Road was confirmed by excavation in 1966. The mausoleum has Grade II* listing and is opened to the public only on selected days and at occasional events.
Folklore & legend
Local legend says the Earl dressed in a shroud, lay in his coffin and was wheeled through the tunnel in preparation for his eventual burial. The tunnel itself is not merely a legend: excavation in 1966 revealed it. The reported coffin ritual is presented by the heritage source as a story, not established fact.
Hidden details
A tomb with a complicated itinerary — The mausoleum was moved from Brompton Cemetery to Woburn Park and then to its present location, following the Earl’s changes of residence.
The tunnel beneath the road — A passage linking the Earl’s house and the mausoleum was rediscovered during excavation in 1966. The tunnel is a historical detail, not a visitor route.
The sculpted deathbed scene — The mausoleum’s interior includes a marble relief showing Priscilla on her deathbed, with the Earl and their son Charles depicted beside her.
When to go
· Attend at the time specified for a confirmed event or booking.
No season-specific advantage is established by the supplied sources; access dates, rather than season, determine when a visit is possible.
Check the event organiser’s arrangements before travelling. Grounds are described as uneven.
What to look for
Look for the mausoleum’s pink and grey granite, its Egyptian Revival design, and the boundary wall that screens it from the surrounding streets. If an organised visit allows entry, the interior contains coffins and a marble relief depicting Priscilla on her deathbed.
The story
Folklore & legend
Best time to go
Any season, on a confirmed opening day or organised visit.
Plan around an announced open day, event or confirmed group booking. The site is not open routinely.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Solo · Couples
Before you go
Address
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Practical information
Opening & access
The mausoleum opens to visitors only on selected days and for occasional events. Group visits may be arranged through Habitats & Heritage; check its website for current access and booking information before travelling. Do not assume the grounds or interior are open for walk-in visits. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Check before visiting; parking information is not confirmed.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Open House Festival information says the grounds are wheelchair accessible but uneven, with steps into the mausoleum. Confirm arrangements with the event organiser before visiting, as access is limited to selected days.
Cost
Donation
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Around Kilmorey Mausoleum
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
