In the leafy suburbs of Southwest London is a small parish church cemetery that has one of London’s most remarkable tombs. The tomb is of Sir Richard Burton and his wife Isabel.

[Burton Mausoleum - St Mary Magdalens Mortlake]

Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821 – 1890) was a remarkable man in an age of remarkable men. He is best known as an explorer and linguist (he could speak 29 languages), but he could also be called a translator, writer, poet, soldier, orientalist, ethnologist, hypnotist, fencer and diplomat.

[Burton Mausoleum]

Burton is famous for his pilgrimage in disguise to Mecca. He spoke Arabic and knew the ways of the Islamic world from his time spent in India. Before the trip he was even circumcised to reduce the risk of being discovered as a non believer. His other notable travels include the exploration of the great lakes of Africa.

As a writer he is best known for his translation of Arabian Nights, whose version is still printed today.

[Burton Mausoleum under Heathrow Flightpath]

Tomb Details

The tomb is in the shape of a Bedouin tent and has great attention to detail such as the crescent moon trimmings and the illusion of canvas tent walls.

[Camel Tribute]

[Burton Tent Wall]

[Burton Tent Wall Detail]

Inside the Tomb

At the back of the tomb is a ladder leading to a glass viewing window, where you can peer in to see the final resting place of Richard and Isabel.

[Burton Mausoleum - viewing window]

[Richard Burton]

[Isabel Burton]

In Memorium

[Memorial Poem]

[Richard and Isabel Burton RIP]

Location

St Mary Magdalen’s Roman Catholic Church Mortlake
61 North Worple Way
London SW14 8 PR

View Larger Map

[St Mary Magdalens Roman Catholic Church - Mortlake]

Links
Sir Richard Burton
The Burton Tomb Restoration Fund

The park of Brompton Cemetery is one of my favourite places to walk in London. When in London I usually stay around this area, and I always make a visit.

[Brompton Cemetery]

[Brompton Cemetery Crosses and Angel]

The Brompton Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven, a group of cemeteries that were opened in London in the 1800′s to cater for London’s population explosion and subsequent overcrowding of burial grounds at the traditional Parish Churches.

[Brompton Cemetery Mossy Crosses]

Of the seven, Highgate Cemetery is perhaps the most famous with its tomb of Karl Marx. Its overrun vegetation and broken tombstones made for ideal sets in Hammer Horror films.

Abney Park in East London has a similar run down feel and its location is way out of the usual tourist path. It has an abandoned church which is featured in the Amy Winehouse filmclip Back to Black.

I like these ones but my favourite is Brompton, if only for its convenient location for me. Once inside you are taken away from the hustle of London to a peaceful parkland. If it wasn’t for the never ending procession of aircraft on the Heathrow flightpath and Chelsea’s homeground Stamford Bridge looming over the southern end, you could be anywhere in England.

[Brompton Mausoleum]

[Mausoleum Angel]

[R.I.P - Chelsea's Premiership defence.]

Abney Park Cemetery is tucked away from the tourist masses in Stoke Newington, north-east London. I discovered it for myself whilst riding the number 73 bus to Seven Sisters.

[Abney Park tombstones]

The park is overrun with vegetation, creeping over the old tombstones. In the centre of the park is an abandoned chapel, which adds to the gothic flavour of the park. Best enjoyed on a drizzly afternoon.

[Headless Angel]