Name: De Grey Mausoleum, Flitton
Rating: 5.0

De Grey Mausoleum, Flitton

High Street, Flitton, Bedford, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

De Grey Mausoleum, Flitton among the largest sepulchral chapels attached to any English church, this cruciform mausoleum houses a remarkable sequence of 17 sculpted and effigied monuments, spanning nearly two and a half centuries (1614-1859), to the De Grey family of Wrest Park.

The De Grey Mausoleum is attached to the mid-15th-century parish church of St John at Flitton, Bedfordshire. It was first built in the early 17th century, before being expanded in 1704.The mausoleum contains a remarkable collection of funerary monuments spanning three centuries.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of De Grey Mausoleum: The De Grey Mausoleum is attached to the mid-15th-century parish church of St John at Flitton, Bedfordshire. It was first built in the early 17th century, before being expanded in 1704.The mausoleum contains a remarkable collection of funerary monuments spanning three centuries.
Origins of the Mausoleum: The structure was originally a chapel added to the church of St John the Baptist at Flitton by Henry Grey, 6th Earl of Kent (d.1614), in about 1605. According to his will, he intended this ‘little Chappell or buryall place’ to be a burial place for his family and descendants. The church itself had been built by the de Grey family of nearby Wrest Park in the mid-15th century.
Expansion: The original chapel consisted of a single chamber abutting the north wall of the chancel and the west wall of the north aisle. This was much altered when the mausoleum was expanded between 1705 and 1710 by Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent (d.1740), a courtier and politician under Queen Anne (r.1702–14).
19th-century Alterations: It is likely that the southern limb of the mausoleum was substantially altered in the 19th century to accommodate Thomas, 2nd Earl de Grey (d. 1859), his wife, and five of their children. It was Thomas, a keen architect, who in the 1830s demolished the old house at Wrest Park and built a new mansion in the French revival style.

Facilities

Parking: There is no car park at the church but there is limited on-street parking available on surrounding streets.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities at the church but there is a pub in the village and more options in either Flitwick or Ampthill.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/de-grey-mausoleum-flitton/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The mausoleum is open from 2pm to 4pm on the following dates in 2025:

Sunday 6th April
Sunday 4th May
Sunday 1st June - special opening from 12 noon for the annual Flitton Potato Race
Wednesday 18th June
Sunday 6th July
Wednesday 16th July
Sunday 3rd August
Wednesday 20th August
Sunday 7th September

Address: High Street, Flitton, Bedford, UK

Post Code: MK45 5EJ

Council: Central Bedfordshire

County: Bedfordshire

Road Access: Attached to Flitton church; through Flitton, on an unclassified road 1 1⁄2 miles west of A6 at Silsoe.
Bus Access: A limited service is provided by Flittabus (of Ampthill); Cedar service 146 (Fri only); Centrebus 20; Grant Palmer service 44 & 77 (Tue only)
Train Access: Flitwick 2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is no car park at the church but there is limited on-street parking available on surrounding streets.