Althorp's entrance front in the 1820s. The appearance of the house from this angle is almost unaltered today.

Althorp (generally pronounced "all-thorp", though the historical and long-time Spencer family pronunciation is "áwl-trop" ) is a country estate and stately home in Northamptonshire, England, located roughly 5 miles (8 km) north-west of the county town Northampton. It is the ancestral home of the Spencer family, currently owned by Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer. Althorp House from Joness Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen published in London in 1829. ... Althorp House from Joness Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen published in London in 1829. ... A stately home is, strictly speaking, one of about 500 large properties built in England between the mid-16th century and the early part of the 20th century, as well as converted abbeys and other church property (after the Dissolution of the Monasteries). ... Northamptonshire (abbreviated Northants or Nhants) is a landlocked county in central England with a population of 629,676 (2001 census). ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... This article is about Northampton in England; for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation) Northampton Guildhall, built 1861-4, E.W. Godwin, architect Northampton is a large market town and a local government district in central England upon the River Nene, and the county town of Northamptonshire. ... There are, of course, many Spencer families, comprising all individuals with the surname Spencer. ... Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer is the son of Edward Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and his first wife, the former Frances Ruth Burke Roche (later Shand Kydd). ... The title Earl Spencer was created in 1765 in the Peerage of Great Britain for John Spencer, 1st Viscount Spencer, a great-grandson of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. ...

Diana, Princess of Wales is said to be buried on a small island in the middle of a lake on the estate, although many conspiracy theorists believe she is in fact buried at Great Brington church. Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor, née Spencer) (1 July 1961–31 August 1997) was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales. ... This proposed logo for a U.S. government agency was dropped due to fears that its pseudo-Masonic symbolism would provoke conspiracy theories. ... Great Brington is a village in the Daventry district of the county of Northamptonshire in England. ... A church building (or simply church) is a building used in Christian worship. ...

The estate and house are open to the public during the summer months (July 1 to September 30 in 2004), apart from August 31, the anniversary of Diana's death. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... September 30 is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 92 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining, as the final day of August. ...

See also

• Historic houses in England

Historic houses in England is a link page for any stately home, country house or other historic house in England. ...

External links

• Althorp's Website
• BBC guide to Althorp