Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles

Althorp and Princess Diana

Althorp House has been open to the public for over half a century, but it is only in recent years that this stately mansion and historic seat of the Spencer family has shot to fame as the childhood home and, sadly, the final resting place of Princess Diana.

Today, visitors flock in their droves from across the globe for a glimpse of Diana, Princess of Wales’s poignant grave, situated on a tranquil island in the middle of a lake overlooked by a classical style ‘temple’ restored in her memory.





Home to the Spencer family since 1508, Althorp House has undergone major renovation work, over the centuries, most notably in the eighteenth century by the architect, Henry Holland, and more recently by the present incumbent, Earl Spencer.

The gardens have also been remodelled to provide the perfect setting for Princess Diana’s simple grave situated on an island in the centre of the Round Oval, a man-made lake, created in 1865 by the wife of the 1st Earl Spencer. The island, however, in stark contrast to the immaculately maintained grounds, remains gloriously wild and untamed.

Award Winning Exhibition – ‘Diana: A Celebration’

The award winning exhibition, ‘Diana: A Celebration’ is located in the delightful Stable Block, next to the main house and is spread across several rooms dedicated to the life of Princess Diana. A further room depicts the work of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Althorp House also contains an internationally renowned collection of paintings by Van Dyck, Reynolds, Rubens, Gainsborough and other famous artists, as well as one of Europe’s most magnificent private collections of period furniture, artefacts and ceramics.

The Grounds

Althorp House is approached by an imposing tree-lined avenue and is set amidst approximately 500 acres of picturesque parkland and beautifully landscaped gardens. The public are welcome to explore the grounds at their leisure and perhaps enjoy a picnic in the official picnic area.

The Estate

The Estate itself is meticulously maintained by the Spencer family, with around 3,000 acres given over to farming; the emphasis is on sustaining a balance between efficient food production and the conservation of the estate’s natural habitat and wildlife. Approximately ten percent of the estate is designated woodland.


Visitor Information

General Enquiries / Booking Information: Tel. (01604) 770107; email: mail@althorp.com; website: www.althorp.com

Group Visits: Tel. (01604) 772110; email: events@althorp.com

Opening Times 2008: Althorp House and the ‘Diana: A Celebration’ exhibition, open daily between 10am and 5pm, from 1st July to 30th August.

Admission Charges 2008: tickets available from The Stables, Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ; tickets cost £12.50 for adults; £10.50 for senior citizens; £6.00 for children aged 5 to 17 (under 5s go free); family tickets (2 adults plus up to 3 children) cost £29.50; price includes access to the ground floor of Althorp House, the grounds and to the Diana Exhibition. A supplement of £2.50 is charged for visiting the upstairs rooms of the House.

How to get to Althorp: Althorp Park is situated approximately seven miles west of Northampton, just off the A428 (signed to Rugby); by car - from the south - exit junction 16, M1, signed Northampton’; from the north – exit junction 18, M1, (signed Northampton); by train - Silverlink operates a regular service from London Euston to Northampton; taxis are readily available from outside Northampton train station for onward travel to Althorp, or travel the final seven miles by shuttle bus, departing 11.35 am and 2.40 pm, returning 2.20 pm and 5.25 pm, during opening times only.

Visitor Facilities

Car Parking: Free

Disabled Visitor Facilities: car parking conveniently located outside visitors’ entrance; wheelchair access to ground floor only; free admission for carers of visitors with disabilities; audio tapes available; guide dogs welcome.

Gift Shop: selling a selection of memorabilia designed exclusively for the Althorp Stable Block and approved personally by Earl Spencer.

Café & Picnic Area: the Stable Block Café serves light snacks and soft drinks (indoor and outdoor seating available); picnicking confined to the designated picnic area (picnics strictly prohibited by the Lake).

Photography: In the interests of security and the preservation of exhibits, no photography, filming or videoing is permitted.

Fascinating Facts about Althorp …

Althorp makes a minimum annual donation of £10,000 to the registered charity ‘Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund’.

Althorp Estate plays an active role in local communities, providing affordable housing and facilities such as village halls, parks and sports fields, as well as two new local post offices.

Althorp takes responsibility for the upkeep of all the public rights of way that run through the Estate.


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