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Althorp
is one of Northamptonshire's biggest tourist attractions. The
Spencer family have lived here for more than 500 years. It's
now mainly famous for being the ancestral home of the late Diana,
Princess of Wales. Earl Spencer lives here with his family.
He has opened a museum celebrating Diana's life and work. You
can also have a tour of the house and see the Oval Lake and
the island, where Diana was laid to rest. See below for more
information.
A first class visitor attraction. The areas open to the public
are well designed and signposted. The people on duty are helpful
and well trained. Everywhere is neat and tidy. The exhibition
on Diana is well presented. Whatever you think of Diana, it's
well worth a visit to Althorp.
Five
thousand years ago, there was a fort on the top of this hill
which overlooks Daventry. There's also evidence of a Roman villa
having been here. Until the 1990s, the BBC transmitted the World
Service from the shortwave transmitters on Borough Hill. The
BBC station is now closed and the hill is a large area of public
grassland. A good place to go for excellent views and a relaxing
walk.
"Remember,
remember the 5th of November - gunpowder, treason and plot!"
And the plotting was apparently done here in Ashby St Ledgers.
The gunpowder Plot of 1605 was designed to destroy the Protestant
ruling elite of England. The plotters included Robert Catesby,
a staunch Catholic who owned the manor house at Ashby St Ledgers.
They wanted to blow up the King, Parliament and the Lords. The
plot is said to have been hatched in the gatehouse to the manor
house. The gatehouse (now in poor repair) can still be seen
from the road. This is a pretty Northamptonshire village. It's
somewhere to visit en-route to somewhere else or to pop in for
a drink or a meal at the local pub. Explore the church if you
can. 
Its like stepping back in time visiting this little village,
although becoming a commuter village it has tremendous character,
i'd just like a good guide book to be published and a village
walk to be implemented. Ofcourse the residents may have different
ideas but its a magical place.
We don't so enough to look after or celebrate our local history.
So much more could be made of Ashby St Ledgers - especially
considering its Gunpowder Plot links. The village is very pleasant
and well worth seeing.
