A Visit to Althorp

Today has been the hottest this summer so we decided that a break from the work was a good idea. Althorp is about a 15 minute drive from here so we thought this would be a good place to visit. A picnic was prepared and off we went.

This is the property that belongs to the Spencer family and they open the house and grounds for two months every year. There were plenty of other people making the most of the beautiful day and we joined quite a crowd enjoying a picnic lunch in the designated area,.

 

The Exhibition, which was a celebration of Diana's life was very well done. Unfortunately we weren't able to take photos but we did get to see her wedding dress, a large selection of some of her dresses, videos of her when she was young and lots of other interesting bits and pieces. If anyone signed a condolence book when she died this is where it will now be, a long with hundreds of others.

The inside of the house is typical of these large family mansions and this one included a large collection of paintings, many of them portraits, fine china and furniture all filling large rooms. The family can trace their line back to the 14th century and many of these 'treasures' will have been gathered over a long period. As lovely as much of it was we decided that we are just content with a more modest home.

The grounds are park like with many large specimen trees. The path leads you to the Round Oval Lake, with its island and the last resting place of Diana. At one end a temple has been built in her honour. This is certainly a very peaceful and tranquil spot and lots of people were enjoying the moment, resting on the park benches around the lake.

If you look closely can see the shrine to mark the grave on the island.

 

 

 

We enjoyed our day out, and even though the family are making the most of Diana, she did all touch our hearts and to see her final resting place was special. We even got to see the Earl himself. He was busy signing copies of his book about the Spencer family's 500 years at Althorp in the gift shop.

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