Althorp
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.
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, Princess of Wales is buried on a small island in the middle of a lake on the estate, although some
conspiracy theorists believe she is in fact buried at
Great Brington church.
The estate and house are open to the public during the summer months (
July 1 to
September 30 in
2004), apart from
August 31, the anniversary of Diana's death. All profits made are donated to the
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. In 2003 the estate marked 50 years of being open to the public.
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Historic houses in England*
Althorp's Website*
BBC guide to Althorp
