It’s pretty much on our doorstep, but 30 years after we moved to Northamptonshire, we finally got around to visiting Althorp House. Good mates and neighbours, Jo & Janet, joined us, in place of David & Valerie (who sadly, couldn’t make it today) heading for Althorpe House.
Althorp is a Grade I-listed stately home and estate in the civil parish of Althorp, in West Northamptonshire, England covering about 13,000 acres. Althorp became one of the prominent stately homes in England where it dates back to 1688, replacing an earlier house that was once visited by Charles I. Inside and out, there have been some significant architectural changes , but on the whole, you’d never know and the House is one of the more attractive ones that we’ve visited over the years.
The estate was first opened to the public in 1953 by Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer (1892–1975), to mitigate against taxation, where Althorp even had its own railway station called Althorp Park on the Northampton Loop Line until 1960. After his death, Albert passed Althorp to his son Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer, who had served as Equerry to King George VI (1950–52) and to Queen Elizabeth II (1952–54). Edward was a wine connoisseur and had an extensive wine cellar at Althorp. He made his own wine and attracted fellow connoisseurs from around the world to Althorp, although he did not sell much of it. During Edward’s ownership of Althorp, approximately 20% of the furnishings of Althorp were sold off. The divestment included eleven Van Dykes and nearly every religious painting in the collection, as well as estate housing, and drew severe public criticism, including from the heir. Edward left the estate to his son, the current owner Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, after his death in 1992. As a teenager, Charles served as a tour guide at the house and acquired a deep knowledge of Althorp, where he grew up with his sister – Diana, Princess of Wales.
We began the day with some coffee and cake at their café, taking advantage of the spacious courtyard.
It certainly was a lovely day for it! The perfect temperature for just wandering about, and soaking up the scenery and the good weather! 👍☀
I was looking forward to snapping pictures of the interior as I’d heard they were ‘quite something’. But, it wasn’t to be, as we were reminded on entry that ‘no photography was allowed’.
That was a real shame! So, take my word for it, as about an hour later, with both floors covered, we had now seen the inside of the House for ourselves – and it was simply jaw-dropping! Not only was the decor stunning, but there were also so many paintings, it could have easily doubled as an Art Gallery. Plenty of well-trained staff on duty too, who only too eager to assist our understanding of this impressive pile of stone! Paintings aside, it had an impressive Library with over 100000 books!
I suppose if I was being unkind, it was simply ‘conspicuous wealth’ at its most, err, conspicuous and where for some, therefore, all of this would be almost obscene – but they’re probably not the type who would have visited anyway! For us four though, we loved it! It was just how you might imagine a country pile to be! 😀. Even the Gardener’s House here is listed as a Grade II*
Reflecting on what we’d just seen, we took a wander with the ducks around the Oval Lake, where Diana, Princess of Wales is buried. The whole area was very tranquil and felt like the perfect resting place for this once-troubled Royal. Now, at last, at peace.
At one end was her Memorial where clearly the loss is still felt by some based on the fresh flowers that had been left there.
All that was left to do was have a final wander around, taking the Stable Block (now an exhibition hall) and the surrounding landscape.
We then headed back to the car for the straightforward journey home – or, it would have been if I’d dialled in the correct address on the Sat-Nav. Instead, EVie took the more scenic route back taking us through Northampton (with all its customary congestion!). Usually, the Sat-Nav is pretty good at diagnosing the traffic flow and always picks the best route – but not today! How so? It turned out that I’d hit the wrong ‘previous destination’ and EVie returned from whence it came – the local Kia Dealer in Northampton!
How we laughed! ☹️😮
In spite of the more scenic route home, it had been a great way to spend a Friday! 👍👍👍👍
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
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