Althorp Park

England
Northamptonshire

Althorp

Althorp is famous as the home of the Earl and Countess Spencer, and the ancestral home of Diana, Princess of Wales. Though the house has been open to the public since 1953, since Diana's death Althorp has become extremely popular with visitors, and up to 2500 people make the journey - one might almost call it a pilgrimage - to Althorp every day.

Diana was buried within the grounds of Althorp, rather than in the nearby village church, because of concerns that the influx of visitors might cause damage to the little church, and adversely affect the village. All profits from visitors go directly into the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

There has been a house a Althorp since the beginning of the 16th century when Sir John Spence bought land here. The house that Sir John built provides the essential shape of the current building; an enclosed courtyartd with a projecting wing along the south side. By the time Sir John's grandson died in 1586 , Althorp had become the principle seat of the Spencer family.

One hundred years later, the courtyard was roofed over, and a grand staircase installed. However, this house of red brick did not long survive the vagaries of fashion. The Second Earl of Sunderland brought in an Italian architect to remake Althorp in a grand classical style, replacing the brick with Weldon stone, and adding Corinthian and Composite columns. But the renovations did not stop there; Andre Le Notre, the architect of Versailles, was brought in to remake the gardens in grand formal style.

In the early 18th century the hall was again remodelled, this time in Palladian style, to a design Colin Campbell. The house then fell into a period of neglect, and in 1772 part of the roof collapsed. Archiect Henry Holland, was employed. Much of the fairly restrained exterior of Althorp that can be visited today is a result of Holland's work.

Diana: A Celebration
Of most interest to typical Althorp visitors is the exhibition devoted to the life and times of Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibition is spread over 6 rooms of Althorp, and depicts Diana's childhood, her royal wedding to Prince Charles, her charitable work, and her considerable influence on fashion and style.

As fascinating as the Diana exhibition may be, do not overlook the considerable attractions of the house itself. Althorp is replete with art of the very highest order, with paintings by

The Grounds
Althorp is set in magnificent grounds, covering 450 acres of parkland. Closer to the house is the large gardens, originally designed in 1860 by W.N. Teulon. More recent garden improvements have emphasized the splendid vistas leading into the park and its collection of rare tree species. A large lake, known as the Round Oval, provides a focal point for the park. On the southern verge of the Round Oval sits the Summerhouse, once resident in the gardens of Admiraly House, London, and now serving as a memorial to Princess Diana.

CONTACT
Althorp
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN7 4HQ
UK
Email:mail@althorp.com
Phone: 01604 770107
Website: www.althorp.com
MAP

ACCOMMODATION
The best selection of accommodation for Althorp is in nearby Northampton.

Photos courtesy of Althorp