Castlefacts³

Althorp

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are no visible remains

Name	Althorp
Alternative Names	Olthorp
Historic Country	Northamptonshire and the Soke of Peterborough
Modern Authority	Northamptonshire
1974 Authority	Northamptonshire
Civil Parish	Althorp

Althorp was purchased in 1508 by John Spencer, and was emparked 4 years later. It is probable that there was already a house here, as his grandson, another Sir John, built the present one. This has never been pulled down though it has been so much altered that there is nothing of that date visible except its original plan. Robert, son of the 3rd Baron and Earl of Sunderland converted Althorp into a house of the late 17th cent. and many of the rooms have not been altered since. His grandson, the 5th Earl started to build the stables, and also built the great dining room to the east. (PastScape ref. Arch. J. 1953)

Gatehouse Comments

John Spencer was granted "Licence to impark lands in Olthorp and Wykehamond, Northt." and "licence to castellete his manors of Olthorp, Northt., and Wormeleighton, Warw." by Henry VIII in 1512. Olthorp is clearly Althorp, now the site of C18 palladian house, still owned by the Spencer's. Wormleighton was the principle residence and John Spencer did rebuild the house there but the evidence for him building at Althorp is less certain and, although a earlier medieval house probably existed, it may be his grandson who built the current, very much altered, house.How defensible that courtyard house was is uncertain, although at this late date, in a quiet inland county, it is unlikely to have had anything other than decorative battlements (Even these may be doubtful; Camden describes Robert Spenser, the likely actual builder, as a 'lover of vertue and learning' which may suggest his preferred architectural style would have been based on classical motifs). There is nothing to suggest a moat was ever built or intended.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number

Historic England Listed Building number(s)

1356626

Images Of England

359990

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

341653

County Historic Environment Record

www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/archives-and-heritage/northamptonshire-archives/research-and-history/Pages/historic-environment-record.aspx

OS Map Grid Reference	SP681651
Latitude	52.2801704406738
Longitude	-1.00212001800537
Eastings	468170
Northings	265140