Althorp House, Princess Diana's home and resting place, to open this year

Althorp House in Daventry District, Northamptonshire is not only where the late Diana, Princess of Wales grew up – it is also where she is buried, on a small island in the Oval Lake.

This northern summer the estate is opening its doors to the public during July and August with a  special exhibition titled “Animals of Althorp”. Visitors will also be able to view new items added to “The Spencers: The History of an English Family” exhibition, which illustrates 500 years of the Spencer family and their contribution to English public life.

Visitors can tour the Grade I stately home where the Spencer family has lived since 1508. Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer and Countess Karen Spencer still live at the residence, which has 90 rooms.

Hello website says antiques and artefacts showcased will include a portrait of the Princess of Wales’ pet cat Marmalade, drawn by Aniela Pawlikowska, who often drew Diana and her siblings as children.

The house is renowned for its fine collection of furniture, ceramics and paintings, which include works by Rubens, Reynolds, Lely, Gainsborough and Van Dyck.

But the landscape is also a drawcard – Althorp House sits within a 222 hectare park. In addition to Oval Lake and the island, there is a special memorial built in Princess Diana’s honour. It was completed on the 20th anniversary of her death in August 2017.

The estate can be hired for weddings and other special occasions.

This story was first published by Stuff.co.nz