Hidden in the woods and rhododendron to the southern corner of Ockham Common, we came across the Samuelson Mausoleum.
Built by Sir Henry Samuelson for his father, Sir Bernhard (1820-1905), mother Caroline (1821-86) and sister Florence (1857-81). All three were exhumed from Torquay cemetery and re-interred here in 1920. Sir Henry had wished to create a ‘Temple of Sleep’ where the whole family could rest together, though in the event he and his wife were interred elsewhere. In 1960-1 the bronze chest-tomb which had been brought from Torquay to stand under the dome was stolen. Although it was recovered on that occasion, it disappeared for good soon afterwards. In the years that followed, the mausoleum was stripped of its doors and panelling. The building and surrounding land were acquired by Surrey County Council in 1992.