Mick Jeffs On 6th November we were pleased to launch our new video, ‘Leamington Spa, University Town’. It tells of the impact of the University of Warwick and its students and staff on the town over sixty years. It addresses the positive and negative consequences of the influx of staff and students, their residences and their behaviour … Read more
A brief history of Burlington Motor Company of Leamington Spa written by its founder Haydn Davies I have always had an interest in home-built cars and in the mid/late 1970s there was an upsurge in companies building kits for such things and, the more I looked at the available kits, the more I thought “I … Read more
“Sceptre and crown Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.” Thus wrote dramatist James Shirley in 1658, reiterating a motif in popular discourse that death renders all lives, irrespective of status, wealth or achievement, equal.[1] But how far is death the great equaliser? Historians, whose … Read more
Now Royal Leamington Spa is well known for where Tennis was started and developed on the lawns of the Manor House Hotel, but how about this for a bit of history that few people appreciate took place. If you were to enter the Jephson Gardens through the main side gates on Newbold Terrace, and turn … Read more
Great News – Leamington History Group are now in a position to start arranging for the Archive, containing over 5000 Photos, documents and maps, to be attached to this web site to enable anyone to access this fabulous collection which is growing monthly. Not only will the Archive cover all aspects of Leamington life but … Read more
Leamington Mayor Cllr Alan Boad recently held a reception to thank the Leamington History Group volunteers who guided walks around the town last year. A new programme of guided walks is planned for 2024.
We are pleased to draw attention to this talk at 2.00 pm on Saturday 27th January 2024. (Click on poster to enlarge)
At the beginning of the Second World War the government had a great deal to think about. One important decision to be made was about the need to prevent damage and destruction by the enemy of vital factories producing materials for defending the country and waging war and other civilian assets such as power stations. … Read more
Posters have been used for many years to advertise the attractions of the town and the railways which served the town. Here is a selection of them. They were displayed at railway stations and other places around the country and probably contributed greatly to the number of visitors. We would welcome other posters; please contact … Read more
A new page has been added to our website which includes images of the covers of many books about the history of Leamington Spa. Most of them are out of print and can be difficult to find. It is suggested that the usual secondhand shops and websites may have copies or they may be found … Read more
This article is based upon an interview with Mr Harold Wragg, Nursery Manager, by Nicola Brooks in 1991. Nicola Brooks interviewed Harold Wragg, nursery manager, in 1991 as part of her studies for a Teaching Diploma in Museum and Gallery Education at Warwick University. This article reviews the issues raised during the conversation. Harold said … Read more
We are pleased to draw attention to this conference on 22nd October
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
June 9, 2026
Nelly (later known as Eleanor Velasco) Thornton was born in Stockwell, London, on 15th April 1880 to Frederick and Sarah Ann Thornton, who was also known as ‘Nellie’. They had...
May 26, 2026
This is Mark’s own brief personal and professional story about how he became interested in the history of Leamington Spa and producing films about the town’s full, varied and fascinating...
May 6, 2026
Acknowledgements to Contributors Writers of Articles Stella BolithoNigel BriggsPeter CoullsBarry FranklinMichael JeffsAllan JenningsMichael PearsonDr Sylvia PinchesMargaret RushtonSidney SysonRichard TaulbutDr John Wilmot Substantial Contributors to Articles. Kay Bugg; Alan Griffin; Dr...