West Markham Mausoleum, c 2000
Credit J Roberts
photographer Roberts, Janet
Location The Ave, Milton
Town West_Markham
The Duke of Newcastle decided to locate the new Church and family cemetary at Markham. Designed by Robert Smirke, the architect of Somerset House, The Royal Mint and British Museum in London, it was built in 1831-2. The sum of 1,000 guineas, payable when building was complete, was agreed upon. However, the total cost of the new vicarage and mausoleum was well over £15,000. The inspiration for the building, in Greek-Doric style, was said to be a temple near Athens. It was intended as a tomb for Georgiana, 4th Duchess of Newcastle, who died in 1822. Beneath the building was a vault with enough room for 72 coffins although only 12 were ever buried there. It replaced the dilapidated parish church of All Saints but became redundant in 1971. Some text taken from Janet Roberts' book, 'Geoorgiana, 4th Duchess of Newcastle', published in 2000.