Building record MDO43655 - Russell-Coates Mausoleum, Bournemouth

An early 20th century mausoleum situated in the Wimborne Road Cemetery. It is built in Portland stone, using large blocks of rock-faced rustication, with a pitched roof and has a rectangular, single room plan. The east front is enclosed by a rendered stone wall with a central decorative gate with flower detail, and has a large round arched doorway. It stone surround is carved with the inscription: 'The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms'. The oversized keystone above the doorway is carved with the Russell-Cotes' family coat of arms. The rear gable end has a fine stained glass rose window. Inside, the entire barrel vaulted ceiling and walls are covered in mosaics showing the famous umbrella pines of Bournemouth and in the corners are two niches with the busts of Lord and Lady Russell-Cotes. The exact construction date of the Mausoleum is not known, but it is first depicted on the Ordnance Survey map published in 1909. It was built to a design by John F Fogerty (1863-1939) and is the only mausoleum within the cemetery.

The Mausoleum commemorates Sir Merton Russell-Cotes (1835-1921) and his wife Lady Annie Nelson Russell-Cotes (1835-1920). Sir Merton, the son of an industrialist, studied medicine and subsequently undertook various business ventures, before making a notable career within the Scottish Amicable Life Insurance Society. Lady Annie, whom he married in 1860, was from a wealthy family of cotton-spinners. After his marriage he moved to Bournemouth for health reasons. He became an active local politician, and was very influential in the development of Bournemouth as a seaside resort. He held various positions, including in 1894/5 Mayor of Bournemouth and Justice of the Peace.
The exact construction date of the Mausoleum is not known, but it is first depicted on the Ordnance Survey map published in 1909. It was built to a design by John F Fogerty (1863-1939), who ran an architectural practice in Bournemouth from 1892 until 1914, when he left for South Africa. In 1894 he designed East Cliff Hall, Sir Merton's former home which included an art gallery, and is now known as the Russell-Cotes Museum (listed at Grade II*). The Russell-Cotes donated their residence and art gallery to Bournemouth to be used as a local museum, and they paid for an extension to be added in 1919.
An early 20th century mausoleum built in Portland stone, using large blocks of rock-faced rustication, with a pitched roof. It has a rectangular, single room plan. The east front is enclosed by a rendered stone wall with a central decorative gate with flower detail, and has a large round arched doorway. It stone surround is carved with the inscription: `The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms'. The oversized keystone above the doorway is carved with the Russell-Cotes' family coat of arms. The rear gable end has a fine stained glass rose window.

Inside, the entire barrel vaulted ceiling and walls are covered in mosaics showing the famous umbrella pines of Bournemouth and in the corners are two niches with the busts of Lord and Lady Russell-Cotes. The mosaic under the rose window containing abstract painted glass, includes the words: "Looking unto Jesus" "In the hope of eternal life".

Mausoleums are in most cases highly decorative and of a bespoke design, often using a variety of different architectural styles. In most cases they are built to commemorate important or influential persons or families. In order to merit designation on a national level mausoleums dating from the early 20th century, need to display high quality architectural detailing and decoration. Their role within their funerary landscape setting and the relation with surrounding funerary monuments and structures are important considerations (Principles of Selection 2007).

The Russell-Cotes Mausoleum is a good example of an early 20th century mausoleum displaying interesting and good quality architectural detailing. Its large rock-faced rustication is unusual, and its rose window and mosaic are finely detailed and show good quality craftsmanship.

The mausoleum commemorates an important and influential local family who played a vital role in the development of the arts and in the economic development of Bournemouth as a seaside resort in the Edwardian period. It is the only mausoleum within Wimborne Road Cemetery, and is a notable feature within the designed cemetery landscape, standing along one of the main avenues and surrounded by a group of mature trees. It also forms an important group with other monuments and structures within the cemetery, which together are interesting reminders of Victorian and Edwardian funerary and mourning customs.

The mausoleum compares well with listed examples of similar date, such as the Stearns Mausoleum at Nunhead Cemetery in Southwark, Greater London of circa 1900, and the Lopes Mausoleum in Westbury Cemetery in Wiltshire of circa 1910, both Grade II. As such, the Russell-Cotes Mausoleum fully merits listing at Grade II. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Schedule Entry, 167892 (Scheduling record). SDO17387.

506675/001

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1517368 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 25 2022 1:00PM