On August 18, Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, announced he’s releasing a Swan Song, a new book about his late sister’s life, and there’s still time to explore Diana’s childhood home ahead of the tell-all’s publication in September. Although Althorp House is typically closed to the public, the 9th Earl Spencer opens his doors for two months each year, and the historic Northamptonshire estate will welcome guests through August 31.
Althorp is where Diana was raised alongside her younger brother and two older sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, but the history of the property dates all the way back to the 1500s. Charles Spencer inherited the roughly 13,000-acre estate when his father, the 8th Earl Spencer, died in 1992, and it remains a family home for the earl and his new wife, Cat Jaman.
Notably, it’s also where Princess Diana was buried. Although Diana’s grave sits on a small island that’s inaccessible to the public, visitors can explore the nearby grounds and a temple set up in her memory.
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The King William bedroom, where William III stayed on his visits to Althorp, was also a favorite of Diana’s when she visited the estate.
(Image credit: Althorp)
The 115-foot long picture gallery is a survivor of the original house.
(Image credit: Althorp)
Althorp House will welcome visitors through August 31.
(Image credit: Althorp)
The property was purchased by the Spencer family in 1508 and extensively remodelled in the 18th century by renowned English architect Henry Holland. During Althorp’s rare tours, visitors are invited to view 17 of the home’s rooms housing an extraordinary private collection of artwork and furniture, including works by van Dyck, Stubbs, Reynolds, Rubens and Gainsborough.
Nestled among the priceless works of art are portraits of the Spencers themselves, including one of Diana that sits next to a painting of her brother, Earl Spencer.
A portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales, sits at the top of the staircase.
(Image credit: Althorp)
Equestrian-themed paintings are showcased in Althorp’s Wootton Hall.
(Image credit: Althorp/Stacey Osborne)
The home’s library includes 10,000 books.
(Image credit: Althorp)
Highlights include Wootton Hall with its striking black-and-white checkered floor, which Princess Diana was fond of tap dancing on in her youth, and the impressive library, which at one point, held up to 100,000 books collected by the 2nd Earl Spencer.
Although it’s down to 10,000 titles on its shelves today, the room is frequently used by the current earl as he works on his various projects, including Spencer’s upcoming Diana book.
In addition to exploring the house, Althorp guests can book an afternoon tea picnic to enjoy on the grounds—but time is running out before the estate closes its doors for another year.
