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.
Oak House was one of a pair of very substantial villas designed by William Thomas around 1836. However, The Furze, the adjoining villa (see article) stood at 89 Upper Holly Walk and was much the larger of the two. Originally the two houses stood at Nos 25 and 27 Holly Walk (Upper).
Neal Einerson, a noted biographer of architect William Thomas, states that “Although no documents remain linking Oak House and The Furze to Thomas, their appearance, location and background make it certain that they were designed by him”.
The interior of Oak House was sumptuous. It boasted a huge music room, picture gallery and billiard room, in addition to the usual drawing and dining rooms.
In 1839, Charles Mann of Manchester was described as the owner in an advert in the Leamington Courier. Mr Mann then advertised the house for let fully furnished. It was described as having a double drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, 4 best bedrooms and one dressing room. There were 5 servants’ apartments, gardens, a double coach house and stabling for 3 horses. The coach house stood at the rear of the garden area and coaches had access to the property via a small private road leading off Lansdowne Circus. Oak House had a number of different tenants until the 1870s when the Kimberley sisters started up a Ladies’ College on the premises. The college proved successful with the Kimberley sisters running the college until well into the 1880s. In 1889 a Miss Wright took over until 1894 when the college ceased to operate. Interestingly, the adjoining villa, The Furze, also became a Ladies’ College.
After 1894 the house appeared to return to being a private house and in 1914 its address was changed to 87 Holly Walk Upper. Records show that the house was occupied as a private residence until at least 1948.
Meanwhile the Liberal Club, based in Regent Grove, was in dispute with the Council over the sale of their property which had been requisitioned for use as a British Restaurant. In 1949 the Town Council purchased the Club premises for £8,000 which enabled the Liberal Club to seek alternative accommodation. As Oak House was available the Club committee decided on purchasing it. The Liberal Club officially opened at No 87 Upper Holly Walk on Tuesday 7th November 1950 at 8.15 pm. The name of Oak House was then changed to The Liberal Club.
Fortunately, the villa did not suffer the same fate as its twin next door, The Furze (see article). Oak House remains to this day, with the Club deciding a few years ago, to revert to its original name. There is no doubt that the acquisition of Oak House by the Liberal Club Committee in 1949 saved it from demolition. It is Listed Grade II.
Michael Pearson, 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS are presented at the end of this page — https://leamingtonhistory.co.uk/articles-from-royal-leamington-spa-a-history-in-100-buildings/