Althorp Overview
Althorp has served as the residence of the Spencers, the family of the late Princess Diana, for over 500 years. Currently, it is home to Diana’s brother, the 9th Earl Spencer, and also houses the Princess’s grave.
The estate opened to the public more than five decades ago, allowing visitors to explore a stunning house, a picturesque lake, and a beautifully manicured island, all nestled within a 550-acre walled park. Long before Diana was known as the Princess of Wales, guests were able to appreciate the exquisite furnishings and artwork collected over twenty generations of Spencers.
Most tourists today visit Althorp (pronounced Althrup by some but actually a pretentious affectation these days) to view Diana’s childhood home. This iconic site can be explored through guided tours, which require advance planning. This historic home boasts one of Europe’s premier private collections of furniture, paintings, and ceramics. Although it remains a family residence, Althorp encompasses 90 rooms, only a selection of which are accessible to the public.
Visitor Essentials
- Address: Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ
- Contact: Telephone: +44 (0)1604 770 107 | Email: mail@althorp.com
- Open Days: Althorp operates on a limited seasonal schedule. During the summer, specific opening dates are announced annually on the Althorp website. In 2019, the estate welcomed guests from July 1 to August 31.
- Additional Openings: Guided tours of the estate are accessible during The Althorp Food and Drink Festival, featuring local Northamptonshire products, on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 in 2019. However, during the Althorp Literary Festival in Autumn 2020, only the grounds and seasonal exhibits are open.
- Hours: In 2019, the gates welcome visitors from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m., with the last admission to the house granted at 3:00 p.m.
- Admission: In 2019, adult day tickets are priced at £18.50 when purchased online, and £20 at the gate. Children aged 5 to 16 are charged £11, regardless of purchase method. Discounts are available for families, seniors, and students, while children under 4 can enter free. Note that tickets can only be acquired online prior to your visit, except on the day of your visit when they can be bought at the gate. It’s important to consider that tickets are in high demand on August 31, the anniversary of Princess Diana’s passing, necessitating early planning for that day.
- What Does Your Entrance Fee Include? The admission cost during the open season encompasses access to the grounds, current exhibitions, the Café, and the Gift Shop in the Stables, along with entry to the State Rooms of the House.
- Directions to Althorp
- By Car: Althorp is located 7 miles west of Northampton, accessible via the A428. Signage directing you from the M1 motorway (Exit 16 Northbound or Exit 18 Southbound) will lead you there. Travel durations vary, with approximately 1.5 hours required from London, 2.5 hours from York, and about 1 hour from Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cambridge, or Oxford.
- By Train: Althorp is positioned seven miles from Northampton station, which offers regular train services from London Euston. Bus and taxi options are available at the Northampton station for transport to the estate.
Diana’s Memorial
Princess Diana’s resting place is situated on an island within the lake, known as The Round Oval. This location remains private and is not open for public visitation. However, visitors can pay their respects at the lakeside Temple dedicated to her memory. Originally created by the 2nd Earl Spencer to commemorate a naval triumph over the French during the Battle of the Nile, this Temple once resided in the gardens of Admiralty House in London until 1901, when it was acquired by the 5th Earl and relocated to Althorp, for a mere price of £3. In 1926, the Temple was moved to its current setting. Visitors can view this remarkable structure while traversing Althorp’s grounds.
