Althorp (lost settlement) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Althorp
Lost settlement
Grounds of the park where once the village stood
Althorp Location in Northamptonshire
Country	England
Region	East Midlands
District	West Northamptonshire
Map Ref: SP678648

Althorp is a "lost village" located on the large Althorp estate in Northamptonshire, England. A lost village means that the community and its buildings no longer exist. This village was first written about in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086.

In the 1400s, the manor (a large estate with a village) of Althorp was owned by the Catesby family. They likely decided to clear out the village. By 1505, records show that no one lived there anymore. In 1508, the land, including the former village, was sold to John Spencer. By 1577, the area was mostly used for sheep farming. Today, Althorp is still known as a civil parish, which is a local government area.

What Remains of Althorp Today?

Even though the village is gone, you can still find some clues about it on the land. These clues are called earthworks, which are changes in the shape of the ground. However, much of these old features have been damaged over time, especially by farming.

Main Features You Can See

The most noticeable feature is a wide, sunken path called a "hollow way." This path runs up a hillside and is about 1.5 meters deep. It was likely a main road through the old village. On the south side of this path, there are several flat areas. Experts believe these flat areas were once where houses stood.