My family has lived at Althorp since 1508 - that is nearly 500 years. Henry VIII hadn't even got through the first of his six wives when the Spencer family settled here, and Columbus had only "discovered" America sixteen years before.

Think of any historical figure after that time - Elizabeth I, Mozart, Napoleon - and it's strange to think that, while they breathed, there was always a Spencer living at this house.

The house hasn't always stayed the same in appearance. Nobody knows what the original building looked like, although the foundations that are visible down in the cellars seem to be of local ironstone, similar to that of which the stables are made.

In the Billiard Room, look out for the painting of what Althorp looked like three hundred years ago. Then, it was a beautiful, red brick house, with formal gardens surrounding it.

Two hundred and twenty years ago, red brick was not in fashion any longer. It was then that Althorp was covered in grey tiles, which were fixed to the brickwork with nails. The tiles are very thin, but look as though they are proper bricks.

The house looks very impressive today, when seen from the outside. However, I think it was more attractive before it was clad in grey. Which do you prefer?