New Podcast: Walks with Leamington History Group – Paula Fletcher
Our fantastic, free History Walks are back in full swing for the summer. So Paula Fletcher from the Leamington History Group and I bagged a bench in Jephson Gardens to talk about what happens on these walks, what’s new for 2026 and what her favourite local historical factoids are. Have a little listen and book your place.. On Apple … Read more
Nelly Thornton, Blue Plaque
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 a son, Frederick William, four years later. By September 1887 when their daughter Rose was born, the family were living in Leamington. Frederick Thornton, father … Read more
Mark Ellis, Leamington History on Film
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 past and present. I first moved to Leamington from Ealing in early 2000, with my wife Kathryn and our two-week-old son Patrick. Having decided that … Read more
Creative Leamington Spa: Celebrating 200 years of the arts
Leamington History Group published a new local history book on 21st May 2026. This tells the fascinating story of how the arts developed in Royal Leamington Spa. We celebrate creative activity in the town over 200 years, from the heyday of the Spa to the present day. The price is £20, or £17.50 to members … Read more
Marlborough Hotel
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. Marlborough Hotel started life in the 1850s as a private Regency house, Elmley Lodge, in Brandon Parade, designed by builder, Benjamin Bradshaw. … Read more
Manor House, Lillington
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. The Manor House lies at the centre of the old Lillington village, a short distance from the parish church of St … Read more
Manor House, Leamington
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. Built as the Wise family home in the Queen Anne style in about 1740 with a handsome Chippendale staircase and two … Read more
Manor Farm, Lillington
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. Manor Farm was the largest of the three Lillington village farms, extending over 230 acres to the Cubbington boundary. At … Read more
Loft Theatre
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. What is today known as The Loft Theatre Company began as the Warwick and Leamington Dramatic Club which was founded in … Read more
Kinmond’s Factory
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. There is a substantial building with a certain ‘presence’ on the east side of Kenilworth Street which is now the home … Read more
Jephson Gardens’ Buildings
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. The Gardens. The gardens themselves are, of course, the main reason for visiting them. However, over the years, the gardens have … Read more
