Althorp, English country house and heritage estate in Northamptonshire, England
Althorp is a country estate in Northamptonshire covering more than 5200 hectares of farmland, woodland and formal gardens surrounding a central manor house. The main residence holds Grade I listed status and sits within parkland that includes an ornamental lake with an island, bordered by mature trees and open meadows.
The Spencer family acquired the property in the early 16th century and gradually replaced the original village with a private residence. Over the following centuries the house underwent several enlargements, with the red brick facade receiving a terracotta tile cladding in the late 18th century.
The second Earl Spencer established an extensive library of 100,000 books at Althorp, making it a center of learning in 18th century England.
The property welcomes visitors during July and August, when the house, gardens and exhibition rooms are open for exploration. Those wishing to walk around the grounds should wear comfortable shoes, as the paths through the parkland and around the lake cover considerable distances.
A small temple in the classical style stands on an island in the middle of the lake and has served as a burial site since 1997. The spot is surrounded by trees and visible across the water, though visitors cannot reach the island itself.
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