A spectacular and long-sealed Victorian mausoleum in south-west London will reopen to the public for the first time in more than seventy years this April, following a major conservation and community heritage project led by the charity, Habitats & Heritage.
The Grade II* Burton Mausoleum, located in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church in Mortlake, will be officially reopened at an invitation-only Grand Reopening on Saturday 18 April 2026 at 11am by the Mayor of Richmond, Councillor Penny Frost.
The reopening marks the culmination of a two-year project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to conserve and re-present one of London’s most unusual and internationally significant monuments.
Shaped like a Bedouin desert tent and incorporating both Islamic and Christian iconography, the mausoleum is the final resting place of Sir Richard Burton – the controversial explorer and linguist who undertook the Hajj in disguise in 1853 – and his wife, fellow explorer and author, Lady Isabel Burton, who designed the tomb in 1891 as a place of pilgrimage.
Sealed since the mid-twentieth century following vandalism, the building has remained largely inaccessible – until now.
Over the past two years, Habitats & Heritage has worked closely with Cliveden Conservation, Martin Ashley Architects and specialist partners to carefully repair, conserve and reopen the mausoleum. Works have included the conservation of its distinctive sandstone exterior, the stabilisation and cleaning of its richly decorated interior, and the installation of a new access door – enabling visitors to once again step inside this remarkable structure.
Alongside the physical conservation, the project has delivered an ambitious programme of outreach and education, engaging diverse audiences in the complex and often controversial legacy of Richard and Isabel Burton. Through public lectures, education workshops, guided tours and community engagement, the project has explored the Burtons’ legacy, while encouraging critical conversations around empire, identity and cultural encounter.
New educational resources have also been developed, including a three-part documentary on the Burtons and the mausoleum. In collaboration with the Museum of Richmond and Kingston University, MA students contributed to the cleaning and conservation of artefacts housed within the tomb, providing valuable hands-on heritage experience.
At its heart, the project has sought not only to reopen a building, but to create a space for dialogue—where the Burtons’ lives and legacy can be understood through multiple perspectives, fostering interfaith exchange and cross-cultural understanding.
The Grand Reopening will see invited guests become among the first to enter the mausoleum in decades.
Following the reopening, the churchyard will be open to the public during normal hours for those wishing to see the mausoleum. However, entry into the mausoleum will only be possible on scheduled open days or by prior arrangement with the church or Habitats & Heritage.
“This project has been about more than restoring a building—it’s been about reopening a conversation. By engaging with both the achievements and the complexities of the Burtons’ lives, we’ve created opportunities for people to explore shared histories and reflect on how they shape our world today.” – Tharik Hussain, Outreach & Education Officer
“To reopen the Burton Mausoleum after nearly seventy years is an extraordinary moment. It is a monument of both local and global significance, and we are proud to have conserved it while sharing its stories in new and more inclusive ways.” – Caitlin Jones, Burton Project Manager at Habitats & Heritage
“It has been a privilege to conserve such a unique and visually striking structure. We are delighted to see it reopened and accessible once again.” – Dr Helen Brown, Conservation & Interpretation Officer
“The work undertaken to the interior and exterior of the historic mausoleum, along with recreating the door using contemporary materials, has proven challenging and complex, yet immensely rewarding. The conservation process itself has almost resembled a pilgrimage! The contributions of our stone masons, stone conservators, wall painting specialists, and plasterers were instrumental to the project’s successful completion. It has been an honour to participate in the conservation of Sir Richard’s Mausoleum; he was, in fact, one of my childhood heroes.” – Adrian Powell, Site Supervisor and Mason Carver of Cliveden Conservation
“Thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and our partners, this project shows how heritage can bring people together—connecting communities with the past while opening up new perspectives on history.” – Paul Jennings, CEO of Habitats & Heritage
“The reopening of the mausoleum is a deeply meaningful moment for our parish and the wider community. It restores an important part of our shared heritage and invites people of all backgrounds to encounter a story that speaks across cultures and faiths.” – Father Adrian Patrick Mckenna-Whyte, Parish Priest at St Mary Magdalen
