Althorp, Northamptonshire, England, UK
Sleeps up to 50
17 bedrooms with private bathrooms
Dining capacity for 200
550 acre park
90 minute drive to London
Home to the Spencer family since 1508, Althorp is perhaps most famous as the childhood home of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Of course, however, it has a long history of distinguished family members and guests.
The house sits in 550 acres of parkland and is part of a 14,000 acre estate, which allows guests a very high degree of privacy. Despite its apparent grandeur and numerous state rooms, we find the house actually very cozy and the staff are extremely welcoming. This is a house well used to entertaining large numbers of guests and everything runs with quiet efficiency.
The house itself is very imposing and has quite a 'wow' factor as you approach it through the deer park. There is a series of state rooms, a library, a huge inner hall or saloon and an assortment of large sitting rooms. Upstairs is the state dining room and 20 bedrooms and bathrooms. These range from the very grand rooms like the King William bedroom with opulent decor to more simple but charming attic rooms.
The house has a sufficient variety of dining and seating spaces to enable either small or very large groups to enjoy the house. For instance the saloon with its grand oak staircase is wonderful for parties, with additional space for drinks in the Marlborough room with its ornate chandeliers. The 115 foot picture gallery can seat 200 for dinner but there is a family dining room for smaller groups with close by ante rooms or the Sunderland room where guests can sit in a more intimate environment.
Aside from the park, the house is surrounded by extensive gardens, an elegant sand stoned stable yard used as estate offices and as a permanent exhibition on the life of the late Princess. The house is sheltered on three sides by woodland with wonderful parkland views to the north. This is a very gracious and elegant home, stuffed with treasures and you feel a wonderful sense of history as you enter the front door. Althorp is a charming place for a very special celebration or gathering of family and friends.
Travel
90 minutes from London
Places of Interest
Silverstone Race Track
Salcey Forest - home of the tree top walkway
Castle Ashby Gardens
Prebendal Manor and the Tithe Barn Museum
The Rockingham Castle Country Fair
Make Contact
Althorp
T: +44 1835 824 642
