THE EXPLORER'S MAUSOLEUM A Rare Visit and Look Inside the Burton Mausoleum with Dr Helen Brown Saturday 17th October 2026 at 11:00 am         Join us for a very rare chance to visit the extraordinary Sir Richard Francis Burton Mausoleum at St Mary’s Churchyard, Barnes, where we’ll explore the remarkable collection of esoteric and ethnographic objects connected to one of Britain’s most extraordinary Victorian adventurers. The visit will begin with an introduction by Dr Helen Brown, Heritage Projects Officer, on the life and legacy of Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821–1890): explorer, linguist, soldier, translator and occult enthusiast. Burton is renowned for his daring pilgrimage to Mecca in disguise, his explorations of East Africa in search of the source of the Nile, and his influential translations of The Arabian Nights and the Kama Sutra. His interests in magic, mysticism and comparative religion brought him into circles later admired by the occultist Aleister Crowley, who regarded Burton as a kindred spirit and an important precursor in the exploration of esoteric traditions. We also hope to include a very rare visit to the nearby De Vezlo mausoleum, the resting place of young Comte de Vezlo a life cut short at age six, Tickets £20 include a 20% donation to Nunhead Cemetery. Please click here to purchase. Dr Helen Brown Dr Helen Brown is Conservation & Interpretation Officer for the Burton: Exploring Without Boundaries project. A heritage specialist and curator, she recently completed a Collaborative Doctoral Award with English Heritage and has worked across a wide range of interpretation projects, exhibitions and public programmes. Passionate about uncovering overlooked histories, her research explores the social and cultural landscapes of the past and the remarkable lives that shaped them.