Ever since Emma Corinne danced at Althorp’s Grand Hall dressed as a woodland creature the crownWe are impressed by Princess Diana’s family home. In recent weeks, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to have taken their two children to visit the estate during their tour of the UK. Pictures on the Duchess’ Instagram show Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet and Prince Harry walking through the grounds of Althorp, home to the Prince’s late mother’s family for more than five centuries.
The 17th-century house and grounds are only open to the public for two months each year during the summer, making now a good time to visit, too. The estate has always been attractive, but our interest was further piqued a few years ago, when on an excavation mission Roman Villa started At the time, historian Earl Spencer posted a photo on Instagram of a group of archaeologists standing around a long trestle table outside his palatial home in the sun. ‘The archaeologists are going to celebrate the end of the dig at Althorp this evening,’ he wrote. ‘They’ve been here for three weeks, excavating a Roman villa that looks like it’s been here for several hundred years, probably from 100 AD. It’s amazing to think about people enjoying Althorp 1,000 years before my family farmed here in the 1480s.’
Since 1508, the Spencer family has occupied the vast estate, which covers 13,000 acres (of which 550 are the main house and surroundings. gardenwhile at rest there is another property and woodland). The main manor house has over 90 rooms with gilded cornicing, Pelmet curtains And Four poster canopy beds. The property also has a portrait hall with gallery walls of gilt-framed pictures, and An incredible chandelier Each room is common. There is also a grand house An impressive libraryA dining room For state dinners, many Sitting room and sweeping staircases. Many members The royals are staying at home; Queen Mary’s Bedroom hosted King George V and his wife in 1913, while the Princess of Wales Bedroom was named after Queen Alexandra, who became Princess of Wales after marrying King Edward VII and who lived there in 1863.
