Very atmospheric local curiosity, well worth a walk down to if you’re in the area
Andrew Thomas2 years ago
Distinctive mausoleum dating from 1919, situated in an atmospheric wooded setting. The underground room is open and in surprisingly good condition. Around a 25 minute walk from Boldermere parking area through sandy heath and woodland.
Mark Haines2 years ago
A Grade II listed mausoleum. Built in 1919 by Sir Henry Samuelson for his family. The mausoleum takes the form of a temple with a ribbed dome. The columns support an entablature with inscriptions in English, Greek and Latin. The bronze chest tomb which used to stand under the dome was stolen in 1960. The building is still mostly in good condition but there is evidence of some vandalism and graffiti etched into the stone walls.
Chris Gledhill2 years ago
Old tomb that has seen better days. Fun find in the forest and looks kinda spooky. It’s empty now and you can go inside. Someone has cut the trees back from around it so it is being maintained but it’s getting a bit vandalised now and the stone is getting weathered and chipped.
Deepa P2 years ago
It was an interesting walk finding this mausoleum. Spotted some pretty bluebells on the way. The mausoleum itself has a mixture of styles and plays to Sir Henry Samuelson’s obvious love of classical antiquities. On the architrave are inscriptions in Latin, Greek, and English.
Built in 1919 and designed by Rowland Plumbe, it was commissioned by Sir Henry Samuelson for his father Sir Bernhard Samuelson (1820 – 1905), an agricultural machinery manufacturer, Fellow of the Royal Society and Liberal member of Parliament; his wife Caroline (1821 – 1886) and their daughter Florence (1857 – 1881). All three were originally interred in Torquay Cemetery, a place Sir Bernhard was very fond of, having stayed in Churston regularly and moored his steam yacht ‘Brilliant’.
His wish to be buried in Torquay with his wife and daughter was reflected in the obituary written by his eldest daughter Caroline for the Banbury Guardian:
‘And now he comes, who dearly loved them both, Wearied with years and honours, nobly borne; He comes to lie beside them, nothing loth To rest and sleep beneath the smiling morn.’
Built in 1919 by Sir Henry Samuelson for his family.
The mausoleum takes the form of a temple with a ribbed dome. The columns support an entablature with inscriptions in English, Greek and Latin. The bronze chest tomb which used to stand under the dome was stolen in 1960.
The building is still mostly in good condition
but there is evidence of some vandalism and graffiti etched into the stone walls.
Built in 1919 and designed by Rowland Plumbe, it was commissioned by Sir Henry Samuelson for his father Sir Bernhard Samuelson (1820 – 1905), an agricultural machinery manufacturer, Fellow of the Royal Society and Liberal member of Parliament; his wife Caroline (1821 – 1886) and their daughter Florence (1857 – 1881). All three were originally interred in Torquay Cemetery, a place Sir Bernhard was very fond of, having stayed in Churston regularly and moored his steam yacht ‘Brilliant’.
His wish to be buried in Torquay with his wife and daughter was reflected in the obituary written by his eldest daughter Caroline for the Banbury Guardian:
‘And now he comes, who dearly loved them both,
Wearied with years and honours, nobly borne;
He comes to lie beside them, nothing loth
To rest and sleep beneath the smiling morn.’