While
there's not much (if anything) to recommend the city of Northampton
itself, the surrounding countryside has quite a few attractions
to draw visitors. Principal among these is Althorp, the childhood
home and burial site of Diana, Princess of Wales (advance tickets
are required because the number of visitors is limited). The
stables there were converted into a museum dedicated to the
Princess. Other nearby sights include Earls Barton Church, a
Saxon structure with fascinating details; Rushton Hall and Triangular
Lodge, both replete with triangular symbols of the Trinity (builder
Thomas Tresham was obsessed with Christian symbols); Castle
Ashby (note the message on the roof); and Boughton House (don't
be surprised if it reminds you of an opulent French mansion
-- it was built by a British ambassador to France).
