Althorp

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See also Althorpe, Lincolnshire.

Althorp's entrance front in the 1820s. The appearance of the house from this angle is almost unaltered today.

Althorp (generally pronounced "all-thorp", though the historical and long-time Spencer family pronunciation is "áwl-trop" ) is a country estate and stately home in Northamptonshire, England, located roughly 5 miles (8 km) north-west of the county town Northampton. It has been the ancestral home of the Spencer family since the early 16th century and is currently owned by Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer. Within the Grounds there are earthworks of the lost Village of Althorp on which the estate was built.

The house was originally a red brick Tudor building but its appearance was radically altered in the 18th century when the famous architect Henry Holland was commissioned to make extensive changes. The interior of the house is generally considered its strongest asset as the Spencer family has assembled an impressive collection of portrait art including several pieces painted by the Flemish master Anthony van Dyck. The estate stable block has been converted into an exhibition devoted to the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales and provides an attractive sandstone setting that effectively offsets the imposing facade of the house. Diana is buried on a small island in the middle of a lake on the estate.

Althorp as it is today.

The estate and house are open to the public during the summer months (July 2nd to September 2nd in 2007), apart from August 31, the anniversary of Diana's death. All profits made are donated to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. The estate was first opened to the public in 1953, by the 7th Earl Spencer, to mitigate against taxation.

The estate had its own railway station called Althorp Park on the Northampton Loop Line until 1960. When the royal train visited for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, it travelled instead to Long Buckby railway station.

[edit] See also

• Historic houses in England

[edit] External links

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

• Althorp's Website
• Althorp entry from The DiCamillo Companion to British & Irish Country Houses
• BBC guide to Althorp
• Map sources for Althorp

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