Maulden Mausoleum

… a surprising piece of British and Bedfordshire history tucked behind the Parish Church

Maulden’s Ailesbury Mausoleum is one of the first two mausolea in England, and links the king and nobility of two nations.

Thomas Bruce, first Earl of Elgin, commissioned the building following the death of his wife Diana Countess of Oxford. The Bruces were an ancient Scottish family, descendants of the legendary Robbie, who followed James I to England. They lived at Houghton House from 1624 to 1738.

The upper part of the Mausoleum is open with the Church on Sundays between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm from the beginning of May to the end of September. The whole of the Mausoleum – including the crypt - is open at the same time on Sunday, 8th June 2008 & Sunday 14th September 2008.

If the Mausoleum is the main attraction, tea and cakes in the Church are not far behind! Maulden Church Meadow, one of the county’s most interesting nature sites, is also close by.

The Ailesbury Mausoleum and Parish Church (St Mary the Virgin) are on the Greensand Ridge Walk. If you are coming by car, turn up Church Road and park at the top, next to the churchyard.

The impressive ruins of Houghton House are just to the north east of Ampthill. They are in the care of English Heritage and open to the public.

The Mausoleum was restored by Bedfordshire County Council in 2001 with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, EB Bedfordshire and a number of other donors. It is in the care of the Council and managed in partnership with Maulden Parochial Church Council and Maulden History Society.

See The Ailesbury Mausoleum leaflet |for more information.