VISITOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Tickets are non-refundable, cannot be exchanged and are valid on the date/time specified only. We reserve the right to refuse the sale of a ticket or entry to any part of Althorp Estate where it is reasonable for us to do so and tickets may not be resold.

Please make sure you either have a printed copy of your ticket or it is available on your smartphone as it will be required when entering the grounds and house.

Free car parking is available to all visitors, the Visitor Carpark is located outside the West Gate Visitors Entrance, for Sat Nav or Google Map directions, please enter NN7 4HQ.

We do not offer electric car charging points.

The what3words for the West gate Visitors Entrance are Fighters.crank.sailed
The what3words for the East Gate Coach Entrance are pills.fuzzy.these

Carer tickets are available for House and Grounds at no charge when accompanying a visitor you care for. Please add a complimentary carer ticket to your basket when booking online.

You will be required to provide proof of carer status at the ticket desk.

We accept the following carer status;

  • Letter from the local authority confirming you are in receipt of carer’s allowance, or are in some other way recognised as a carer by your local authority.
  • A letter from a GP confirming that you have been registered with them as a carer.
  • Registered carer card as part of another scheme (e.g. CredAbility Access Card, CEA Card)

Please book through our website, select the day you wish to visit on the calendar. Add ‘Full Access – Historic House Member’ Ticket to your basket and proceed through checkout.

Please note, your HHA Membership Card(s) must be shown at the Gate along with your ticket(s).

We do not offer any discounts for visiting the house or grounds.

Disabled parking and parking for those who find walking difficult is available in the grounds.

Access to the disabled parking is through the West Gate Visitor Entrance (NN7 4HQ). Pre-booking is not required, staff will be at this entrance daily to direct you.

The ground walking route is fully accessible to wheelchair users, however there are large sections of gravel.

Unfortunately, the house does not currently have wheelchair access to the first floor, visitors with limited mobility will be able to visit the Ground Floor only. We apologise for this inconvenience, should you require a wheelchair or mobility scooter please make sure you bring these items with you as Althorp is unable provide them or charging points.

Althorp Park has two entrance gates.

WEST GATE VISITOR ENTRANCE – NN7 4HQ
The Visitor parking is located outside of the West Gate Entrance, parking is free and pre-booking is not required. For Sat Nav or Google Map directions, please enter NN7 4HQ or what3words – Fighters.crank.sailed.

The Disabled/Blue Badge parking is located inside the grounds and access is through West Gate, parking is free and pre-booking is not required.

For Visitors preferring to purchase tickets on arrival, the ticket office is located at the West Gate Entrance.

EAST GATE COACH ENTRANCE – NN7 4HE
East Gate, located on the A428, is the Coach and Mini-bus entrance as it offers a wider turning circle. Cars that arrive at East Gate will be directed to the West Gate Visitors Car park. Please enter NN7 4HE on your Sat Nav for East Gate or use what3words pills.fuzzy.these.

Tickets can be purchased on the day at the West Gate Entrance – NN7 4HQ.

Group/Coach bookings must be pre-booked online.

A timed entry slot is no longer required, we simply offer a day ticket purchased online or on arrival at the West Gate ticket office.

We encourage our visitors to book via our website. If you are unable to, tickets can be purchased at the gate or, please call us on 01604 770006 and we will do all we can to help.

The entrance to Althorp House is a 15-minute walk from the West Gate visitors car park NN7 4HQ.

To explore the ground to the Princess of Wales Memorial at the oval takes approximately 30-minutes from the West Gate car park.

We do not offer a shuttle to and from the gates, please be prepared for a considerable distance to walk.

The award winning – ‘Diana: A Celebration’ exhibition closed in August 2013 at Althorp.

No claims can be made by visitors based on losses due to this particular exhibition not being included in their visit.

We are not able to offer an exhibition in 2024, we apologise for the inconvenience.

The House and Grounds, Cafe and Giftshop will be open daily.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer guided tours. There is a one-way walking system through the house, with information boards and knowledgeable room attendants through out the route.

By Train; Our nearest station is Northampton, approximately 25 minutes from our visitors entrance. You will need to get a taxi from the station to the Althorp House.

By Bus; A local bus service does operate, but doesn’t drop you at the visitors entrance. We would advise any visitors to come via taxi instead.

All Group/Coach bookings must be booked through the website two weeks prior to arrival. We are not able to reserve bookings, you must place your order and pay through the website when you have secured your date.

Please select the day you wish to visit on the calendar above. Select your required tickets (Adult, Concession, Child, Infant) and add to basket and proceed to checkout. The Coach Driver and Coach Leader receive free access and do not require a ticket, nor are they included in the minimum of 12 tickets needed to qualify for a discount.

COACH ENTRY

Access to the Estate for Coaches is through East Gate on the A428 only, this entrance has a wider turning circle. Coach Entry to the Park is between 11am – 2pm, departure by 4pm.

Upon arrival the coaches will be greeted by our gate security team, who will direct you through the Park to the Coach Parking. Coach Visitors will disembark on the turning circles at the front of the house.

The what3words for the East Gate Coach Entrance is pills.fuzzy.these

A 10% Group Booking discount will automatically be applied at checkout to an order of 12 or more tickets purchased in one transaction.

Groups of a minimum of 12 visitors receive a 10% discount, excluding the Coach Driver and Coach Leader who receive free access.

We are no longer part of the Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner and do not accept Tesco Vouchers online or at the Gate Ticket Office.

Unfortunately, Althorp House is not affiliated with the National Trust, entrance tickets must be purchase online or at the Ticket Office at the West Gate Visitors Entrance.

Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch or picnic to enjoy on the lawns around the Great House and in the picnic area, overlooking the Deer Park.

Tables and chairs are available to enjoy your lunch in the picnic area.

Portable barbeques or camping stoves are not permitted at Althorp.

Please note that we do not allow prams, pushchairs, large bags or rucksacks in the house.
Althorp Estate accepts no responsibility for any personal property.

Yes. Full directions on how to get to Althorp are here.

Dogs are not permitted on the Estate.

Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are welcome.

Althorp will remain open, whatever the weather unless weather conditions pose a health and safety risk to our visitors and staff. We will make every effort to reschedule or refund your tickets should we close for reasons of Health and Safety.

We allow photography to be taken within the grounds but we do not allow any photography within the house and drones are not permitted on the Estate.

Our Café is located within our Stables Courtyard and offers a selection of sandwiches, delicious cakes cooked by Earl Spencer’s personal chef, hot and cold drinks.

The café is open from 11am till 5pm for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

A UNIQUE HOME

Charles, Ninth Earl Spencer has been in charge for 29 of the House’s 500-year history but has striven in that time to make a positive difference, by taking an uncompromising approach to the continuing wellbeing of Althorp.

Showcasing one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture, paintings and ceramics, each intriguing room of this magnificent family home has a fascinating story of its own.

It was a wonderful experience. You can breathe all the atmosphere of the old and new times. The rooms are gorgeous and the assistants are very kind. The amazing thing is the feeling that it isn’t a museum or something like that, but you realize that it is a lived estate.

The pictures are fantastic. I would like to go back there immediately.

Review on Trip Advisor, September 2019

All the staff were incredible; so friendly, welcoming and approachable. The cleaning routine was the best we have seen by far out of lockdown, toilets and tables cleaned after every use!

We will definitely return again, especially to see the estate in full! We have recommended it to lots of friends and family already as it was such a relaxing and safe day out – well done!

Review on Trip Advisor, August 2020

We were so grateful Althorp House was open and we were able to visit in a very COVID-safe manner.  Had a lovely discussion with staff about the history and books written by Earl Spencer. Thank you.

Review on Trip Advisor, October 2020

Yesterday we visited the property with high expectations. Well, Althorp house didn’t disappoint! The grounds were immaculately maintained. The memorial to Princess Diana was poignant and respectful.

The house and stables were grandeur and a stunning, giving us both a glimpse into what life must of been like in the past.

Review on Trip Advisor, August 2020

I have been to Althorp , every year since 1999, there are lovely people there, and The Round Oval, is my favourite place it is so peaceful, I could stay there for a long time I could go every day and not get bored of it. But unfortunately, I can only go once a year, the surprising thing is , I find something new each time, I go. I highly recommend it.

Review on Trip Advisor, December 2021

An adorable magnificent palatial home. 500 years old history of the family. The roots goes back to the various other aristocratic families including the Churchill’s & Marlborough. The grounds and the herd of deer makes this a place for relaxing in the lap of the nature.

Nestled in between the beautiful wavy landscapes of rural Northamptonshire. You ought to visit the place to appreciate it like me.

Review on Trip Advisor, October 2019

We are pleased to announce we have received the “we’re good to go” green tick of approval by the Government.