Althorp

Althorp is a country house and estate in Northamptonshire, England, the ancestral home of the Spencer family. It lies near the village of Great Brington, about five miles north of Northampton. Althorp House is a Grade I listed mansion that has been the family seat for centuries.

Historically, the Spencers acquired Althorp in the 15th century; the house and park were developed over the following centuries. Today, the estate encompasses the house, formal gardens, and extensive parkland.

The grounds contain a memorial and burial site for Diana, Princess of Wales, who is buried on an island in a lake on the estate. The site has drawn public attention since her death in 1997 and is part of the estate’s historical narrative.

Althorp is privately owned by the Spencer family and serves as the principal seat of the Earl Spencer. The estate opens to the public for a limited annual season, offering guided tours of the house and exhibitions related to the family.