Heritage Open Day 2026
As part of England's largest community festival of history and culture, we'll be opening our doors for free. Come and enjoy a walk through the beautiful woodland and take a guided tour of the 243-year-old Darnley Mausoleum.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
Heritage Open Days offer free access to heritage sites, events and activities across England. We are throwing open our doors to welcome members and non-members free of charge on Sunday, 13 September 2026. Come and take a walk through our beautiful woodland and stroll up to Darnley Mausoleum, where our friendly guides will show you around this 243-year-old structure, designed to hold the remains of the Earls of Darnley, but never consecrated or used.
Times
The basics
- Suitability
Supervised children are welcome
- Meeting point
A map is available at South Lodge Barn, detailing routes to the mausoleum and can be downloaded from the Visitor Information tab of the National Trust Cobham Woods and Mausoleum website.
- What to bring and wear
Walks involve some stretches of unmade paths that can be muddy and slippery in wet weather. We suggest wearing stout footwear and trousers to protect your legs. There is little shelter on the site.
- Accessibility
A full accessibility statement is available on the Accessable website: https://www.accessable.co.uk/national-trust/access-guides/cobham-wood-and-mausoleum-national-trust. The paths to the mausoleum have kissing gates but are generally accessible, although they may be muddy. The mausoleum has stepped access to both upper and lower levels and is not suitable for wheelchair or mobility scooter users.
- Other
There is no on-site parking. Please park at Shorne Woods Country Park, for which a small fee applies. The mausoleum is approximately a 2-mile walk from the parking and is waymarked. Toilet facilities are available at South Lodge Barn, including an accessible toilet. Dogs are welcome in the woodland but not in the mausoleum. Registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout. The nearest refreshments are available in Cobham village, approximately a 15-minute walk from South Lodge Barn.
Upcoming events
Open Days 2026
Possibly inspired by Roman remains, Lord Darnley left detailed instructions for a square stone building with a 'prominent pyramid' surrounded by a dry moat, where he and his descendants could be laid to rest. It was completed in 1786, but never used.