W Wycombe Hl Rd, High Wycombe HP14 3AH
Location
The Dashwood Mausoleum is located at the top of West Wycombe Hill, in Buckinghamshire, England. The Mausoleum is situated behind St Lawrence Church, which dates back to the 14th century, although it has been remodelled many times throughout its history. This location is a part of the Chiltern Hills (AONB).
History
The Dashwood Mausoleum was built in 1765, on the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort. It houses the urns containing the ashes of the Dashwood family.
In 1774, one of the members of the Hell Fire Club, Paul Whitehead, left Sir Francis Dashwood his heart. After his funeral, which included cannons being shot out the side of the mausoleum, his heart was placed in an urn in the Mausoleum. The heart used to be passed around by visiting tour groups until an Australian soldier stole it in 1829. It has been missing ever since. The ghost of Paul Whitehead has been seen in many spots in the village, including the caves where the original empty urn is now kept.
Parking
There is a large car park, located at the top of West Wycombe Hill, and it's free to use. From the car park there is a wide view of the surrounding Chiltern Hills (AONB). There's a 2-metre vehicle height limit when entering the car park.
Accessibility
There is a just over 100-metre walk from the car park to the mausoleum, which takes you either through the church grounds or around an outer path.
The paths are a bit bumpy with some small slopes. The church is accessible for wheelchair users, but the paths to the mausoleum may be too uneven.
There is a bench when you reach the front of the mausoleum. During good weather, the hill is a popular place for picnics, with plenty of places to sit around the hillside and a view over High Wycombe.
Conclusion
Overall, this location has a lot to offer, with great views and a rich history. It's ideal for visitors who struggle to walk long distances, but unfortunately may not be the best for wheelchair users.
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