Despite the fact that there were five baths in the town already, one man was desperate to find a spring or well of saline water on his land north of the river. That man was Bertie Greatheed (later Greatheed Bertie Percy) of Guy’s Cliffe House and indeed a well was found on his land just to … Read more
The first Post Office in Leamington is thought to have been the cottage home of the village cobbler and postmaster, later the discoverer of the first commercial spring, Benjamin Satchwell. By 1829, with the Spa town developing very rapidly and the demand for postal services with it, an independent local post office was set up under … Read more
As the town became a fashionable spa, people needed entertainment when not taking the waters. Bath Street was close to several baths in the town and in 1814 John Sims opened a theatre there, opposite Abbotts’ Baths. Two years later Robert William Elliston (1774-1828), an actor-manager from the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London took it over. He … Read more
There can be a debate about which of Lillington or Leamington Priors parish churches was founded first. There is little evidence either way before the Norman Conquest. The Domesday Book states that Lamintone (Leamington) had a priest and, therefore, probably the existence of a form of church, in 1086; there is evidence of a church in … Read more
Standing prominently at the corner of Dormer Place and Lower Union Parade, this building marked the gateway to Leamington New Town, providing substantial, quality residential and business accommodation. Its unique position offered versatility for respected up-and-coming Leamington businesses, including ironmongeries, a bazaar, a quality tailor shop, a bank and a pizza restaurant. Now known as 168-170 … Read more
By 1875 the Leamington Town Council had replaced the Leamington Priors Commissioners who had, in turn, replaced the Local Board of Health. The Commissioners had a base in Church Street adjoining the poorhouse, which they shared with the local magistrates as a Sessions House. It is likely that the Commissioners were persuaded to leave the Church Street … Read more
Thanks very largely to the support of Dr Thursfield, Chairman of the Library Committee, a purpose-built, modern Library and Technical School opened on the site of Perkins’ Gardens in Avenue Road, in 1902, and was used until 1999. It was designed by J Mitchell Bottomley of Leeds and built by Richard Bowen of Tavistock Street. The foundation stone was laid … Read more
The House. Clarendon Square was laid out about 1828 to the original scheme by P F Robinson, architect, of Brook Street, Mayfair. He was assisted by J G Jackson, the land agent for Willes who was a pupil of Robinson. The gardens in the Square were planted with trees in May 1830. No 6 Clarendon Square … Read more
Milverton Lawn is now apartments, but was once a substantial Victorian family home, with a ballroom and fine reception rooms. The first owner of the house was a Leamington banker, Hubert Lloyd Esq, whose initials are still to be seen engraved in the design of the columns flanking the main entrance. In 1851, Hubert Lloyd and family lived … Read more
The Mill Street Chapel was started in 1829 by a group of Nonconformists who had broken away from the Union Chapel, Clemens Street, and who needed a home where they could continue to use part of the Liturgy of the Church of England, an issue which led some Nonconformist ministers to join the Anglican Church. The … Read more
Marlborough Hotel started life in the 1850s as a private Regency house, Elmley Lodge, in Brandon Parade, designed by builder, Benjamin Bradshaw. It was No 4 Brandon Parade and later No 48 Holly Walk. The house was to provide the future home for distinguished nobility and clergy in the 19th century and then developed as a Boarding … Read more
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
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
September 9, 2026
August 12, 2026