Nelly Thornton, Blue Plaque
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 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
Mark Ellis, Leamington History on Film
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 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
Workhouse, or Poor-house
February 28, 2026
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. Most references to a Workhouse or Poor-house in Leamington relate to premises in Court Street. However, before trying to establish
Whitnash Estate
February 28, 2026
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. In post-war Britain there was a push to build more Council Housing. Leamington Borough Council targeted an area of land
Warwick Street, No 42
February 28, 2026
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. According to company records, No 42 Warwick Street was designed and built by local architect William Thomas as both the office and
Warneford Hospital
February 28, 2026
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. Warneford Hospital was one of the best-loved landmarks in the parish of St Mary’s, Leamington Spa, and was so very familiar
Village Farm
February 28, 2026
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 demise of public houses in the local area has prompted a phase of demolition with replacement by housing; not
Upper Assembly
February 27, 2026
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. In 1810 a group of people in the town realised that, despite the growing population, there was not a suitable
Town Hall
February 27, 2026
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. By 1881 the population of the town, now named Royal Leamington Spa, had risen to about 23,000. It was four
Theatre Royal
February 27, 2026
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 name ‘Theatre Royal’ has been used for at least two theatres in the town and it may have occasionally also
