The house and grounds have always belonged to the Spencer family and in 2008 they are celebrating 500 years of ownership. Althorp House was built in 1508 and the estate covers some 14,000 acres. From the outside of the estate it is possible to follow the Northamptonshire stone wall around the country roads to gain some idea of the vast area of land encompassed around the house. There is some fine countryside with superb views of woodland, fields and parkland.
The public have been visiting Althorp House since 1953. It is only after Diana’s death that many people make a ‘pilgrimage’ to see where the Princess’ ancestral home is and where she now rests within the grounds.
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There has been a house at Althorp since the beginning of the 16th century when Sir John Spence bought land here. The house that Sir John built provides the essential shape of the current building; an enclosed courtyard with a projecting wing along the south side. By the time Sir John's grandson died in 1586, Althorp had become the principle seat of the Spencer family.
One hundred years later, the courtyard was roofed over, and a grand staircase installed. However, this house of red brick did not long survive the vagaries of fashion. The Second Earl of Sunderland brought in an Italian architect to remake Althorp in a grand classical style, replacing the brick with Weldon stone, and adding Corinthian and Composite columns. But the renovations did not stop there; Andre Le Notre, the architect of Versailles, was brought in to remake the gardens in grand formal style.
In the early 18th century the hall was again remodelled, this time in Palladian style, to a design by Colin Campbell. The house then fell into a period of neglect, and in 1772 part of the roof collapsed. Architect Henry Holland, was employed. Much of the fairly restrained exterior of Althorp that can be visited today is a result of Holland's work.
Within its walls the house holds some excellent artwork and there are six rooms dedicated to the life of Princess Diana. All profits from visitors go towards the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, a registered charity.
Until 1997 the House was occasionally made available for private use so as to provide for the maintenance of the building and its collection of outstanding works of Art. Following the death of the Princess of Wales it was felt inappropriate to continue with events of this nature, and no private events took place for four years. They now feel that they can make a measured return to this activity.
The House receives a number of requests from individuals and companies, who wish to hold private events outside the visitor season in July and August, and a fully trained staff is retained with impeccable experience in some of the world's finest hotels and restaurants. Since 1992 the present Earl has restored over 50 rooms and visitors to the House are always struck by the fine balance of exquisite art and homeliness. The House is available only for exclusive use, subject to the approval of Earl Spencer. It is their policy only to accept events that are in keeping with the scale and style the House and its setting rather than seeking to impose a brand or culture.
Althorp is set in magnificent grounds, covering 450 acres of parkland. Closer to the house is the large gardens, originally designed in 1860 by W.N. Teulon. More recent garden improvements have emphasized the splendid vistas leading into the park and its collection of rare tree species. A large lake, known as the Round Oval, provides a focal point for the park. On the southern verge of the Round Oval sits the Summerhouse, once resident in the gardens of Admiraly House, London, and now serving as a memorial to Princess Diana.