Spencer Arms

The Spencer Arms is a delightful traditional pub located in Chapel Brampton, positioned midway between the towns of Northampton and Market Harborough. Its charming brick facade and Georgian-style windows seamlessly harmonise with the rural village setting. Inside, visitors are greeted by beamed ceilings, inglenook fireplaces, and cozy open fires, all original century-old features harking back to the pub’s days as a coaching inn, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is believed that the Spencer Arms was once under the ownership of the local aristocratic family of the same name. The family’s grand stately home, Althorp Estate, is a mere three miles away and opens its doors to the public during the summer months. Currently under the ownership of Charles Spencer, this Grade I-listed estate was the residence of his sister, Lady Diana Spencer, who later became the Princess of Wales upon her marriage to Prince Charles. The estate serves as her final resting place since her passing in 1997. Throughout the centuries, members of the Spencer family have been bestowed with knighthoods, peerages, and baronetcies, with notable figures such as Sir Winston Churchill among their ranks. Althorp Estate has remained in the Spencer family for five centuries, encompassing approximately 13,000 acres of woodlands, farmlands, and quaint hamlets. Originally a medieval village with a small population, the estate was uninhabited by 1508 when John Spencer, a local sheep farmer, acquired the land. The construction of an elegant 18th-century mansion on the grounds transformed it into one of the most distinguished stately homes in the country. The mansion boasts a 35-metre-long Tudor-era picture gallery and, during the 19th century, was home to Europe’s largest private library, housing an impressive 100,000 books. Within the estate’s expanse are 28 listed buildings, including the majestic mansion itself, along with structures like stables and a former falconry. The Spencer Arms is a dog-friendly establishment where patrons can enjoy the historic charm of the pub, surrounded by the rich heritage of the Spencer family and the grandeur of Althorp Estate.