Some Architects Who Built Royal Leamington Spa

NOTE:   This page is a revised and more comprehensive version of the subject than the previous page with a similar title and lists over 140 architects.

Introduction

Following the date when a village of simple cottages, a spring and a small church, named Leamington Priors, quite rapidly morphed into a burgeoning town from after 1800, people have been enthusiastically building homes and pretty well every other type of building in Royal Leamington Spa for over 200 years.

Many of the run-of-the-mill buildings of the early nineteenth century were built to published designs or were devised by the builders and the future owners with no input from a recognised architect. Many builders could design a simple building from experience. People who styled themselves as ‘architects’ had usually learnt their knowledge and skills from their predecessors, usually by being articled, a type of apprenticeship. The most respected architects trained at the Royal Academy Schools in London. It should be noted that this training was not nationally formalised and that the Institute of British Architects was not founded until 1834; it received a charter and became ‘Royal’, as the R.I.B.A, just three years later. Architects usually became Associates or Fellows of the R.I.B.A but a breakaway group of associates formed a Society of Architects in 1834 because only Fellows were empowered to make the rules of the R.I.B.A. The Society existed until 1925. Nowadays, the most usual route to qualification is a five year course at a university followed by at least two years practical experience with an established architect and approval by the Architects Registration Board.

Some buildings larger than simple homes in the town have been designed by some notable architects with national reputations; they have left very significant marks in the town.

A man who has left us the results of much research about architects and who wrote two books about the history of the town was an architect himself; he was Lyndon Cave (known to family and friends as Toby and he died in 2014). He was a member and President of the Leamington History Group. The main sources he has left are an unpublished commentary on architects up to 1840 and, of course, the two books which he published on the history of the town. We have greatly expanded on his notes and now wish to share some of this information that we have gathered with the wider world.

This page lists over 140 architects who have been involved in the design of buildings or gardens or the layout of the town. We have added individual pages for some of the busiest and most prominent of these architects and as time goes by, we may add others; just follow the ‘Read More’ links provided when available.

Note that TBA means ‘To Be Added’ and is used more frequently than we wish; we would like to know if you can fill any gaps in the information. In particular, if you live in an old house in Leamington we would be grateful if you could examine the Deeds or other documents to see if the name of the architect and/or builder is noted. Please contact our Secretary.
Also note that architects who usually worked in a partnership are usually listed under the name of the that partnership, with a link provided.

THE  LIST

— A —

Adams, H Percy. Dates TBA. Adams took over as the honorary architect for the Warneford Hospital from William Hawley Hall in 1921 when an extension was opened – it is unclear so far which of them designed the extension. Adams designed another extension and a nurses’ home at the hospital in 1928.
He was also involved with the redesign of baths into plombieres at the Royal Pump Rooms in 1923. No record has been found about him after 1929.

Adams, Robert. Dates TBA. Cave suggests that this Mr Adams probably designed some houses in Portland Place around 1908 but this has yet to be confirmed.

Alexander, J Lyon. Dates TBA. Alexander was based in London and is noted simply for preparing the detailed maps for the newly constituted Leamington Priors Board of Health in 1852 which are so valuable to the local historians.

Allom, Sir Charles Carrick, (1865 to 1947). Allom was an eminent interior decorator in the country and received his knighthood for decorating Buckingham Palace. Rather unexpectedly, he was a partner in a firm building flying boats from about 1914; he also decorated houses in New York. His single recorded success in Leamington Spa was that he designed the new décor of the Assembly Room at the Town Hall on the Parade in 1934. It is unclear whether his design still survives.

Anderson A G. (Dates TBA). Anderson was an architect based in Birmingham who designed the new Pattison’s Café at No 20 Victoria Terrace in 1928.

ArchitecturePLB. Dates: TBA. This firm made an appearance in Leamington Spa around 2003 when they designed the Jephson Gardens Glasshouse restaurant and plant house, a unique and striking design which replaced an area of regular greenhouses.

Armstrong, Charles, M.C, (Dates TBA). Armstrong was a member of the partnership named Armstrong and Gardner. It is notable that he designed the main house of Chesford Grange, Blackdown, in 1928 for ex-mayor Joseph Hinks.
The firm took over the role of honorary architects for Warneford Hospital from H Percy Adams about 1929 and Armstrong took the lead in designing extensions and new buildings. In 1929 Ledbrook House opened to increase accommodation for nurses from 40 to 60 beds. In 1930 he was advising on water heating systems and how to deal with waste water. In 1932 further extensions were built to celebrate the centenary of the hospital; this included a block for paying patients (the treatment of other patients was paid for by the charity which ran the hospital). From 1933 he was involved in developing plans for new maternity wards which were opened as Cay Block in 1939; they were named for Mrs Annie Cay who donated in memory of her husband and son who died in World War I. It is sometimes said that you may only call yourself a ‘Leamingtonian’ if you were born in Cay Block. Armstrong retired in 1941.

Ashton, Arthur. (Dates TBA). Ashton was a significant figure in the town for at least 20 years. He was the architect who designed alterations to the Manor House Hotel in 1933 and the Allied Services Club in 1941. He was appointed as temporary honorary architect to Warneford Hospital from 1941 to 1945, replacing Charles M C Armstrong. He advised the hospital on a wide range of matters including fire escapes in 1941 and the redesign of the kitchens and new operating theatres in 1942.
He became a borough councillor about 1930, chairman of the Highways Committee in 1941 and Mayor in 1942/43. He was very involved with the Town Development Plan drawn up in 1948 and was particularly keen to save ‘Regency Leamington’ (see also Charles Holloway James). He lived at No 83 Leam Terrace and his office was at No 33 Parade for many years. Ashton Court in Newland Road was named for him.

AT Architects. This company was founded before 2000 and was active in Leamington Spa around 2007. Their one notable achievement in the town is Station House, substantial student accommodation of about 207 bed-spaces in Old Warwick Road, opposite the station and backing onto the canal.

— B —

Bannister, T C. (Dates TBA). Bannister was active in Leamington Spa around 1821 to 1828. He was one of several architects who produced plans for some of the land owned by Willes including Quarry Fields; his drawings are dated 1821. His first plan for the area south of Warwick Street between the Parade and Brook Street was for a central square with a church, surrounded by streets; this was not implemented. His second plan corresponds quite closely to what was built from 1824 to 1828 including Portland Place and the adjoining streets, Grove Street, Dale Street, Portland Street and Augusta Place. He lived in Warwick.

Barnsley, Geoffrey Reynolds. (Dates TBA). Barnsley was appointed Deputy County Architect in 1945 and succeeded Charles Henry Elkins as County Architect in 1952.  One achievement in Leamington Spa in 1954 was finding a site for the new Fire Station; various sites were considered, including land near to the Midland Oak and the Kigass site in Guys Cliffe Road, but it was eventually built in Warwick Street on part of the site of Dr Henry Jephson’s house, Beech Lawn.

Barrow (Dates TBA). Mr Barrow of Brown and Barrow was involved with the reopening of the Regent Hotel in 1905.

Barry, Thomas Denville (Dates about 1815 to 1905). This Barry was born in Ireland in either 1815 or 1816. He was involved in designing the south transept of the parish church from about 1867. He was Engineer to the Board of Health and Waterworks in the town in 1868. He was also very active in Liverpool and designed Toxteth and Anfield Cemetery buildings. He died in 1905.

Bateman, John Jones. Dates ? to 1903. This Bateman was probably a son of Joseph Bateman and represented Bateman & Drury of Birmingham. No buildings designed by him have been located in Leamington.

Bateman, Joseph. Dates: about 1787 to 1857. Bateman was active in Leamington Spa from about 1830 to 1857. He designed the first building for Warneford Hospital which opened in 1832 when he was based in Clarendon Square. He was in partnership with George Drury of Birmingham until about 1848. He was one of many in the building business declared bankrupt after the bank collapse in 1837. He went on to design the triumphal arches which were erected for the visit of Queen Adelaide to the town in 1839 and the bank which was placed on part of the site of the Bedford Hotel in the Parade (named as the HSBC Bank in 2021); the stonework façade was built by stonemason turned builder, William Gascoyne. Bateman also acted as a surveyor and estate agent. One other achievement was that he published a book of 33 designs for agricultural buildings.
In 1835 he moved his home from Clarendon Square to Victoria Place, a large house in Church Street, now known simply as No 3 which he designed. It was perhaps unusual that he moved from the New town to Old town at that date. He moved to Birmingham about 1837 and designed Eastnor Terrace in the following Year. Eastnor Terrace was off Old Warwick Road and it was never completed; it was demolished to build the station for the Great Western Railway about 10 years later.

Beazley, Samuel. Dates: 1786 to 1851 and active in Leamington Spa from about 1818 to 1835. It is said that he fought in the Peninsular War in Spain at some time between 1807 and 1814. Notable achievements were that he was especially recognised nationally for designs of theatres and he redesigned the Drury Lane Theatre in London for RW Elliston in 1810; in 1818 he also designed the Royal Assembly (later the Parthenon) in Bath Street, Leamington Spa, for Elliston who had moved to the town.  He designed several houses in the Quarry Fields area of Leamington (around Portland Place) in the 1920s but it is uncertain whether they were built.

Beck, Henry. Dates TBA. Beck was probably an architect but is noted for publishing maps and directories for Leamington Spa in the 1860s and 1870s.

Blomfield, Sir Arthur William. Dates: 1829 to 1899. Sir Arthur was a very distinguished architect who studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and became President of the Architects Association and Vice President if the Royal Institute of British Architects. His major works included several churches in London.
He first came to notice in Leamington Spa when he was asked to expand the Parish Church of All Saints in about 1885. This was a major project and the main proposals were for a new choir, changes to the nave and aisles, rearrangement of the seating, the erection of a campanile and providing a central lantern or fleche. There had been extensive criticism of the ‘overblown’ designs by Rev John Craig in the past. This project would include the clearance of the cottages at the west end of the church to permit the building of the campanile.
Blomfield’s suggestion for a tower was for it to be 140 feet high and 23 feet square and that the foundations of the tower would need to be at least 16 feet deep. His designs were accepted. The initial idea was to name it the Victoria Memorial Tower, later the Jubilee Tower, but these names have lapsed. At this time, 1889, Blomfield was knighted. The initial contractor for the construction was Thompson of Peterborough. Later G F Smith of Milverton became contractor and work started in 1897. Sadly, Sir Arthur died in 1899 and did not see completion of his plans; his son, also Arthur Blomfield, took over.
During the construction many tricky decisions had to be made including the best level for the chancel floor and the site for the foundation stone. There was also consideration of erecting a central tower on the platform which was built earlier for John Craig but it was decided that because of structural weaknesses it would have to be too small and “stumpy” to be successful. The works were completed in 1902 with a grand dedication ceremony.

Bodley, G F. Dates TBA. Bodley designed the screen in St Mark’s Church in 1904.

Booth, Richard. Dates TBA. Booth was based in Coventry and was active around 1808 to 1820 although no examples of his designs have been identified. 

Bottomley, J Mitchell (Dates TBA). Bottomley of Leeds was selected in 1899 to build what we now know as the Old Library in Avenue Road. This was his only known commission in Leamington Spa. The building was designed to have multiple uses as a Free Library, School of Art and a Technical Institution.
The initial phases were difficult; there was a delay in the presentation of detailed plans but ultimately the commissioning committee was pleased with them; unfortunately, the first successful bidder for building the complex withdrew and Bowen took over. The foundation stone was laid in 1900. Another change was that the Inspector of Libraries from South Kensington required changes and the lighting had to be altered. Bottomley had suggested a boundary wall but this was deemed too expensive and a fence was built. It was opened in 1902 but there was then protracted quibbling over bills, problems with the heating and even the fact that the builder’s name, Bowen, had been omitted from the foundation stone and had to be added.

Boyceous, WA (Dates TBA). Boyceous is said to be the architect of Newbold Beeches on Campion Hills, it was demolished in 1975. Nothing further is known at the moment and there is uncertainty about the spelling of his name.

Bradley and Clarke. This firm specialised in the design of cinemas and similar buildings in the 1920s and 1930s. More details with the names of the partners below.
Partner, Bradley, Horace George Hayden. (Dates 1877 to ??). Bradley was a partner of David Clarke based at Temple Row, Birmingham. He designed many cinemas in the Birmingham area and was active in Leamington Spa for a few years from 1926 to 1930.  He designed the Bath Assembly Hall in Spencer Street in 1926 and the Regal Cinema in Portland Place East/Augusta Place, next to Quarry Fields, three years later.

Partner, Clarke, David (Dates TBA). Clarke was also a partner in Bradley and Clarke. He appeared in court when the firm was sued by Edith Devis who owned cinemas in Leamington Spa in 1939 for excessive fees for design work in previous years. The judge dismissed the claims of Mrs Devis. The conclusion must be that Clarke was acting for the partnership in these court matters.

Bradshaw, possibly Benjamin (senior). Dates TBA. Bradshaw was said to be the builder who designed the Marlborough Hotel in Brandon Parade in the 1850s; this was taken over as office premises in about 1965 and was soon demolished.

Bradshaw, Benjamin (junior). (About 1849 to 1919, aged 70). Probably the son of Benjamin Bradshaw above and he was appointed as Architect for Lucas and Co, owners of the Leamington Brewery, and, in particular, he was architect and builder of one of their pubs, the Lansdowne Tavern in Lansdowne Street in 1913. He was also Architect for the Leamington and Warwick Building Society.

Brown and Barrow.  This partnership based in London carried out the alterations to the Regent Hotel on the Parade in 1904 and 1905. See Barrow above.

Brunton, Richard. Dates TBA. Brunton prepared a map for Elliston’s Guide of 1818.

Bunch, Arthur Charles (about 1879 to 1950, aged 71). Bunch was appointed as the first County Architect with Warwickshire County Council in 1920.  Premises at Leamington College in Binswood Avenue (No 27) were used by Bunch and his team from 1921 until 1932 when they moved to Shire Hall in Warwick. In 1934 he was also appointed Honorary Architect for Warwick, Leamington, Kenilworth and district. He retired in 1945 and was succeeded by Charles Henry Elkins. Bunch was living at No 23 Binswood Avenue at the time of his death, very near to his first office in the street. During his period of qualification he was articled to J B Colson, the architect for Winchester cathedral.
He was involved with several projects in Leamington Spa connected with services provided by the county council, including rooms for backward children at Urquhart Hall in 1925 and various renovations at Leamington College from 1925, including the building of air raid shelters at the school in 1939 and following years. He was was also responsible for a handicraft centre at Greatheed Road in 1927.
The most important project was probably the Art Gallery wing to the Library in Avenue Road, opened in 1928. Also in 1928, both Bunch and Kenneth Rayner were appointed jointly to design extensions to Milverton School in Rugby Road (see Rayner and Fedeski).
He was also involved with shelters, blast walls and other wartime precautions at Police stations from 1939 and renovation of the Magistrates’ Court building in Rugby Road in 1944. He advised on repairs to the Library in Avenue in 1946, after its use by the Admiralty Camouflage Unit in the war.
After retirement he designed the War Memorial Bus Shelter at Barford in 1949; a notable structure, but not in Leamington.

Busby, Charles Augustus. 1788 to 1834. Busby prepared designs for the Upper Assembly in Regent Street in 1811. It is uncertain who won the competition; see also C S Smith.

Butler, Edmund. 1862-1946. Butler was a partner in the Birmingham practice called Crouch, Butler and Savage. The local connection is that he lived at No 22 Avenue Road but no record of work in the town by him has been found.

Byron, Edward Reynolds (Dates TBA). Byron was recorded in the town in directories in 1970 and 1974. He was the architect for the expansion of Arnold Lodge School in Kenilworth Road into Binswood Avenue around the corner. He had been a pupil at the school and the expansion added an extra 10% to the number of children at the school.

— C —

Carpenter, R Herbert, (Dates TBA). Carpenter was in a partnership with William Slater who was in town around 1870; they were based in Northamptonshire. See William Slater below. 

Cave, Lyndon Fraser Cave Brown, Dip Arch, M Phil, FSA. (1923 to 2014). Cave was an architect who arrived in Leamington in 1953 and lived in Portland Street from 1958 to 2011 when he moved to Sherborne in Dorset. He had studied at Liverpool University School of Architecture. For many years he was invited to local authority planning meetings as an advisor. He was a keen historian and was the first President of the Leamington History Group. He was a founder of the town’s conservation trust and his contribution to the conservation of so many places in Leamington Spa is the true memorial to him.

Chatwin, Philip B (Dates TBA). Chatwin was a partner in J A Chatwin & Son based in Birmingham; he lived in Binswood Avenue for many years. He was the local Diocesan Architect and was involved with the renovation of the nave of All Saints Church in 1929 and further work on the vestry and Lady Chapel two years later. He was recognised with the OBE in 1953. He was also the correspondent on Warwickshire for the Inspector of Ancient Monuments for many years.

Clarke and Worthington. This partnership, believed to be based in London, prepared a design for the National School in Bath Place in 1855 and a local architect, Edward Mitchell (see below) was the architect appointed to be responsible for the site. The school opened in 1859. There were many reports in the press from 1855 to 1857 concerning a dispute between this firm, the charity which was building the school and a Mr James Murray of Coventry (see below) who also submitted a design, said to be at a cheaper cost.

Bath Place School 

Clarke, David. (Dates TBA). See Bradley and Clarke partnership above.

Clissold, C H (Dates TBA). Clissold was the architect for improvements to Holy Trinity Church in Beauchamp Avenue which was followed by rededication in 1902.

Clutton, Henry. Dates: 1819 to 1893. Clutton started his business based in London in 1844. He was an expert on French medieval architecture and designed the Roman Catholic Church of St Peter in Dormer Place in 1864 and then the tower of this church in 1877. Sadly, he could not manage repairs to the church after a serious fire in 1883 because he had lost his sight (see George H Cox below).

Colt, Henry Shapland, 1869 to 1951. Colt was a renowned designer of golf courses who was a leading figure in the firm of Colt, Alison & Morrison Ltd. He designed the course at the County Golf Club at Golf Lane, Whitnash in 1908 and then altered seven of the holes in 1935. R Haymes designed the pavilion at this club (see below).

Cooke, Twist and Partners. Samuel Nathaniel Cooke (1882 to 1964) and W N Twist were the original partners in this firm based in Birmingham. Cooke designed the Hall of Memory in Broad Street, Birmingham in the 1920s. This firm was commissioned to design a new fire, police and courts complex in Warwick Street in 1935 on the site of Beech Lawn, which had been built for Dr Henry Jephson, and suffered serious losses when the project was abandoned because of the second world war in 1939. The site later became the Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in 1962 (designed by Eric Davies, see below).

Cossins, Jethro Anthrice (1830 to 1917). Cossins from Birmingham designed the new electricity generating station in Wise Street which was opened in 1887. He also designed the eastern extension of Holy Trinity Church in 1891. He designed several large buildings in Birmingham and is well known for the Jubilee, or American, Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon. 

Couchman, Henry. 1738 to 1803. No work in Leamington by Couchman has been identified but he carried out work at Packington Hall in 1772 and at Warwick prison in 1784.

Cotton, John (Dates TBA). Cotton was listed in a directory of 1904; the business address was No 26 Portland Place (West).

Coultart, William Ritson. (Dates TBA). Listed in a directory at Wise Street in 1835. It is possible that he designed part of Waterloo Place and a house on the east side of Beauchamp Square.

Cox, George H (Dates TBA).  Cox from Birmingham was architect for the reconstruction of St Peters Church after the fire in 1884, because the original architect, Henry Clutton, had lost his sight. He also designed the first part of Milverton Schools in Rugby Road in 1887 following a competition.

Craig, Reverend John (1805 to 1877). Craig held the living of the Parish Church of All Saints in Leamington and from about 1840 until his death in 1877. It is perhaps strange to find him in this list because he was not an architect. However, he designed several building projects for the huge expansion and improvement to the church.

His vision of the need to expand the church to meet the rapidly increasing population was quite accurate and timely but he lacked the training to properly design changes to the building. He engaged nine or ten architects, including J G Jackson, over a period of time and appears to have absorbed many of their ideas, but he never committed to engaging any of them full-time to implement their designs and, effectively, appointed himself as Clerk of Works. It is sometimes said that his main mistake was to use Warwickshire sandstone, which weathers poorly. However, Thomas Barry was eventually engaged around 1867 to complete some parts, including the south transept.

Read More in this Slide Show by Alan Griffin on this website:-  The Parish Church

Cripps & Stewart. This firm was based in Oxford and they designed the new Methodist Chapel in Dale Street in 1971 after the demolition of the first building on the site designed by George Woodhouse. Planning permission was initially refused after advice from Sir Frederick Gibberd, despite the fact that they had successfully designed churches in nearby Whitnash, Kenilworth and Stratford upon Avon.

Crouch, Joseph. 1859 to 1936. Crouch was the partner in Crouch, Butler and Savage of No 67A, New Street, Birmingham, who was active in Leamington Spa in the 1920s. He was involved in designing significant numbers of houses in Leicester Street and the Shrubland Hall estate in Tachbrook Road from 1919. He arranged for several members of the council’s housing committee to visit Chepstow in 1919 to view houses made with concrete and he was the architect for the Rushmore estate in 1925; it should be noted that some of the designs for these houses were by Arthur Wakerley of Leicester. He also designed many buildings in Kenilworth. He was living at No 27a Dale Street at the time of his death.

Crouch, Butler and Savage. See Joseph Crouch (above).

Cundall, Frederick George. 1867 to 1947. Frederick Cundall was the son of John Cundall (see below) and he took over the business around 1889 when his father died. He was successful but his portfolio of works is not quite as impressive as that of his father; details are included in the page about his father, John Cundall.

Cundall, John. Dates: 1830 to 1889. John Cundall was born in Leamington Spa and was very active in the town from about 1850 to 1887. His portfolio includes a significant number of iconic structures in the town, notably the Town Hall in the Parade and, perhaps more controversially, the Hitchman memorial fountain in the Jephson Gardens.
READ  MORE

— D —

Davies, Eric (Dates TBA). Davies was appointed as deputy county architect for Warwickshire County Council in 1952; he became the county architect in 1966. He designed the Fire Service headquarters in Warwick Street in 1962.

Dawber, Sir (Edward) Guy (1861 to 1938). Dawber was a distinguished designer of gardens and he advised about development of the Jephson Gardens in the 1930s. In 1926 he played a key role in establishing the Council for the Preservation of Rural England.

de Normanville, William Louis. Dates: 1843 to 1928. He was the town engineer for Leamington Spa borough council from 1882 to 1917. Notable achievements were several structures made of iron including Adelaide Bridge, York footbridge, the swimming pool roof at the Royal Pump Room (now the library) and Mill Bridge (footbridge).
READ MORE

Dowler, William. About 1796 to 1843, age 47. Listed in a directory in 1838 and he lived in Priory Terrace. No record of his work has been found.

Drury, George. Dates TBA. Drury lived in Birmingham and was active in Leamington Spa from about 1835 as a partner with Joseph Bateman (see above). No record of his work has been found.

— E —

Elkins, Charles Henry (Dates TBA). Elkins became deputy county architect for Warwickshire County Council in 1931 and was appointed as county architect in 1945. As with other county architects his main influence on Leamington related to county services such as schools and fire stations. The role included acquiring land for the extension of Campion School in Leicester Street in 1946, discussing a new police headquarters at Woodcote House, Leek Wootton in the same year and advising that the Roman Catholic schools in New Street and Augusta Place were too small in 1947 and required replacement.

Elliston, Charles. Dates TBA. Elliston’s only recorded work in Leamington Spa was the Post Office in Bath Street in 1846. It had six imposing pillars at the edge of the footpath, a clock and the Royal coat of arms; it was demolished in 1872.

Evans, Robert. Dates TBA. Evans was appointed Surveyor by the Local Improvement Commissioners in 1831

— F —

Fedeski, Henry. Dates: 1907 to 1993. He was active in Leamington Spa from about 1935 to 1975. He was a member of the partnership known as Rayner and Fedeski (see below).

Foster Frederick. (1851 to 1929, age 78). Foster was born near Winslow in Buckinghamshire. He lived in Leamington Spa from about 1873 but his home was in Coventry from about 1900 after his second marriage. He designed many houses in Leamington including three pairs in Priory Terrace in 1885 and six pairs in York Road in 1903. He was also involved with several schools. Incidentally, he was active and highly decorated in the sphere of Freemasonry.
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Freeman, R Knill (Dates ?? to 1904). Mr Freeman was an architect based in Bolton le Moors (which was the original parish of the present-day town of Bolton). He was one of three architects who were short-listed from 30 entries to design the new town hall in 1881. Eventually John Cundall, a local architect (see above), was chosen for this commission but Freeman formally objected to the decision; his appeal was rejected by the borough council and Cundall was awarded the contract. Freeman designed many churches in the Lancashire area, but it is perhaps unexpected to find that he designed the British Chapel in Moscow in Russia in 1884.

— G —

Gardiner, John. Dates TBA. Designer of Evelyn House on the corner of Upper Holly Walk and Willes Road in 1860, now the Episode Hotel.

Gascoyne, William. Dates 1827 to 1902. Active from about 1852 to 1885. Although not strictly an architect, William Gascoyne was a prominent builder and contractor in the town from about 1852. In 1870 the business adopted the title ‘W Gascoyne and Son, Architects, Surveyors and Contractors of Leamington and Beckenham, Kent’. It remains to be determined whether any of the sons was qualified as an architect.

Gibberd, Sir Frederick. Dates: 1908 to 1984. Gibberd was born in Coventry. He was active in Leamington Spa from around 1962 when he was appointed consultant architect and town planner to the borough council. Notable achievements in the town were the layout of the initial part of the Sydenham Farm estate from 1962, the area around Kennedy Square in 1964 and the Royal Spa Centre in 1972. He recommended the rejection of the initial design for the replacement Methodist Church in Dale Street in 1969. He designed a multi-storey building for the site of Christ Church at the top of the Parade but it was not built. He is particularly known for significant work in Harlow in Essex and he chose to live there.

Griffiths, Thomas David (about 1874 to 1942, age 68). Griffiths worked in Coventry from about 1913; he moved to live in Leamington Spa when his home suffered war damage in 1942 but he died soon afterwards. No record of his work in the town has been found.

— H —

Hakewill, Henry. Dates: 1771 to 1830. Hakewill was active briefly in Leamington Spa around 1817. His notable achievement in Leamington Spa was that he prepared a plan for the development of part of Edward Willes’ estate in Quarry Fields in 1817; however, this was only partly implemented.  He also planned additions to Newbold Comyn House in 1821 which were not built. He was known more widely for buildings at Rugby School and the Radcliffe Library in Oxford. He may also have designed changes to Shrubland Hall in 1820 and the medieval parish church in 1824.

Hall. Dates TBA. Hall was a member of the partnership Young and Hall (see below) which was associated with Warneford Hospital from 1887.

Hart, George (about 1840 to 1919, aged 79). Hart designed the new printing works for the Leamington Courier in Church Walk in 1860 and built the locally unique houses on the south side of Claremont Road from 1871. Hart was the architect for the Warneford Hospital from 1884 to 1891. He lived for a time at No 61 Tachbrook Road and died at No 4 Claremont Road.

Haymes, R (Dates TBA). Haymes from Shrewsbury designed Leamington Golf Club pavilion at Whitnash in 1908.  He was an old boy of Leamington College. However, Henry Colt designed the course itself (see above).

Hellberg, Rolf (Dates TBA). Hellberg was a Coventry architect in the partnership named Hellberg and Harris at No 13 Queen Victoria Road. He was engaged to design a conference centre at the west end of the Pump Room Gardens in 1949 but this project was never built. He designed the new store for Owen Owen in Coventry in 1951.

Hemming, Samuel (Dates TBA). Hemming was at No 31 Upper Parade in 1858 and published a book of designs for villas. He handled the sale of Somerset House, opposite Beech Lawn, as a family home in 1859. He sold up in the same year and moved to Temple Row, Birmingham.

Hinton, Denys and Partners. This firm was listed in directories for Leamington from 1961 to 1974. No details of their work have been found so far.

Hipkiss, FW (Dates TBA). Hipkiss was architect for the Mission Room in Althorpe Street, built in a railway arch in 1911, and was also appointed as honorary architect for Warneford Hospital in 1911. At various times he was based at Dale Street and Claremont Road.

Hitchman, Ken. 1929 to 2018. Hitchman produced a design for a major renovation and extension of the Royal Pump Room around 1985 but it was decided to to proceed with it. Hitchman was in partnership with Stewart Stone from 1980 as Hitchman Stone.

HLM Architects. This firm is based in Sheffield and was founded in 2004. They were active in Leamington Spa in 2009, designing the Justice Centre in Newbold Terrace.

Holdsworth, Tom (Dates TBA). Holdsworth lived in Myton Road and designed about 34 houses in Myton Crofts (admittedly, not quite in Leamington) around 1936. He also designed houses in Oswald Road and Warwick Place in the same year. He was based in Dormer Place in 1938 and was living at No 12 Myton Crofts in 1945 (which he sold in 1950).

Hopton, Richard. Dates TBA. Worked with Taylor (see below) in 1834 to draw a plan of Leamington.

— I J K —

Ingall and Son. The firm was founded by George Ingall (1826 to 1900) and was continued by his son, Alfred Victor Ingall (about 1862 to 1911, aged 49 years). The firm was based in Birmingham and redesigned the interior of the Baptist Church in Warwick Street in 1894, including new heating, and also added a schoolroom. They designed several non-conformist churches in and around Birmingham. 

Jackson, John George. 1800 to 1851. Jackson was active in Leamington from about 1833 until his death at the theatre in Clemens Street in 1851. He lived for much of the time at Newbold Lodge in the Jephson Gardens. He was agent for Edward Willes and implemented plans for the Willes estate designed by John Nash and John Morgan from 1833 to 1836.
READ MORE

James, Charles Holloway. 1893 to 1953. James specialised in the design of housing development layouts and public buildings. He was engaged to produce a Master Plan for Leamington in 1945. It will be an interesting exercise to explore which of the proposals were taken to fruition.

Johnson, Alex. Dates: TBA. Johnson was based in Birmingham and was active in Leamington Spa from 1862 to 1871. He produced designs for the Parish Church in 1862 and he was also involved in designs for houses in the area bounded by Leam Terrace, Newbold Road (Willes Road) and Russell Terrace around 1863. He designed an extension to Holy Trinity Church in 1864. In 1869 he was designing a Drill Hall to be located in Pump Room Gardens which was not built there but was probably the one built at Riverside, off Adelaide Road. In 1871 he designed the sewage works in Princes Drive.

Kempson, John. 1783 to 1846. Kempson was engaged as a surveyor of land with potential for building in the new town around 1810; This specified the ownership and boundaries of sites; he was paid a princely sum at the time of over £183. See also Josiah Robins below.

— L —

Lee, Charles Edward. Dates: TBA. Active in Leamington Spa from about 1901 to 1937. See partnership named Quick & Lee below.

Lee, Frederick William Hobill. Dates: 1876 to 1954. Active in Leamington Spa around 1898 to 1954. He was the son of Frederick W Lee, a local builder. See partnership Quick & Lee below.   READ  MORE

Llewellyn-Bowen, Laurence. Born 1965. Llewellyn-Bowen has been a presence in our homes for some years as an interior designer on television programmes. In 2008 he restyled the interior of the Bath Assembly Hall when it was relaunched as ‘The Assembly’. His signature feature was to use images of the figure at the peak of the facade for the wall covering.

Lloyd, William Hawley. Dates 1848 to 1923. Lloyd came to Leamington about 1876. In his early days he appears to have been accident prone; he suffered injury to his face when hit by falling stone at Worcester cathedral in 1867 and he also had a narrow escape from a railway accident at Kirtlington in 1874.
In 1887 he designed the parochial hall and caretaker’s house adjacent to St Pauls church in Leicester Street in a style to complement the church design by John Cundall; there was disputation at the time about the sizes of the windows. He was said to be a strong evangelical churchman at St Pauls.
He was honorary architect for the (Royal) Midland Counties Home in Tachbrook Street from 1890 where he designed nurses’ accommodation, added space for 53 more patients in 1898, extensions to the kitchen and other reorganisation. Major plans for improvement in 1898 including a new entrance from Tachbrook Road. There was a new Chapel and mortuary in 1899 and a recreation room in 1903. The Radcliffe wing to the east opened by Princess Louise in 1906 and a new chapel was dedicated in 1909. There was another extension in 1914.
He designed a new gymnasium at Leamington College in Binswood Avenue in 1891.
He reported on faults in the parish church in 1895 caused by the use of Warwickshire stone of poor quality including a serious fall of stone from the peak of the north transept wall. In 1898 he was appointed as Diocesan Architect.
He designed new windows and the font at Holy Trinity church in 1899 and changes to the organ loft in the following year. He designed extension in 1914, practically forming a new church.
He advised on problems with drainage at St Pauls School in 1904 and he designed the new frontage of this school in Holly Walk in 1911.
He designed extensions to the nurses’ home in 1915 at Warneford Hospital and a new outpatients department in 1919.

— M —

Mace (or Mase), John. Dates TBA. Mace was based at No 6 Packington Place but no work by him has been identified.

Mansell, Edward, about 1862 to 1941, aged 79. Mansell is first noted in Leamington Spa when advising on the state of the Parish Church in 1908 and he was involved with repair of windows and replacement of the Rose window on the south side in the following year.
He advised about damage to property in Church Hill when Milverton Brook (Bins brook) was renovated in 1909. He was appointed as honorary architect to the Midland Counties Home in 1926, following William Hawley Lloyd. He soon improved the staircase and lift and new balconies were completed in 1936. He was also involved with the maintenance of Christ Church.
He was living at 17 Clarendon Square at the time of his death.

Martin, Cyril F (Dates TBA). Martin is first noted in Leamington in 1945 when he was appointed honorary architect for Warneford Hospital, succeeding Arthur Ashton. He converted an isolation block, Beaumont Cottage, to homes for the Matron and Assistant Matron and he designed a new children’s department.
During his career he was part of several partnerships including Martin, Martin & Ward of Birmingham and Martin & Keeling.
In 1950 he was engaged by the Royal Pump Room to advise on the crumbling stone tower and weak roof trusses. Following his report, the central pediment and the tower at the north end were removed and various other improvements were made by 1953.

Martin, Henry. Dates TBA. This Mr Martin was a builder active in the 1870s. He purchased some redundant buildings of the Barracks in Clapham Terrace in 1878, demolished some of them and built workers houses including Clapham Square, probably to his standard design.

Mitchell, Edmund (or sometimes Edward??). A partner in Russell & Mitchell (see below). READ MORE

Morgan, James. Dates: TBA. Active in Leamington Spa around 1827. A notable achievement was that he prepared designs for the land which became Jephson Gardens for Edward Willes in 1827. At the same date he worked with John Nash on a design for development of part of the Willes estate in the north-east of the town. Note that sources vary on the designer of the original Jephson Gardens and J G Jackson is sometimes credited with the plan.

Murray, James. 1831 to 1863 aged 32. Murray was reported to have been an exceptionally talented architect and had been in partnership with Charles Barry in London and he also worked with Edward Welby Pugin, the eldest son of Augustus Pugin. Barry designed the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament). Murray was elected as a Fellow of the RIBA, at the time the youngest Fellow ever, at the age of 28.
Murray moved to Coventry about 1853. He designed a National School in Coventry in 1853. He advised on work on the Parish Church in Leamington in 1853; he found work had been done but not all of it in accordance with the plans; he advised against construction of a central tower and steeple. He also designed All Saints church at Emscote in 1854 (now demolished and replaced). Later, in 1859, he submitted plans for completion of the church but these were rejected.
He submitted plans for the National School in Bath Place, Leamington in 1855 but the charity which was building the school accepted plans by Clarke and Worthington; Murray made something of a fuss for being rejected. He was also involved with the conversion of part of the Bedford Hotel on the Parade to a bank in 1856/57 (NB this conflicts with the note on Bateman). He designed the School of Art in 1863.
SEE James Murray – Coventry’s Virile Gothic Architect – Coventry Society News

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Nash, John. Dates: 1752 to 1835. Active in Leamington Spa around 1827. A National figure, Nash was later in partnership with James Morgan. Notable achievements were a plan for land from the Parade to Newbold Comyn and from Binswood Avenue to Russell Terrace for Edward Willes together with houses in Newbold Terrace and the Willes Road bridge, all around 1827. Much of these plans formed the basis of development north of the river, but not to the south. J G Jackson was the agent for Willes and supervised implementation of the plans. In 1828 he stayed at the Regent Hotel and admired the design for Denby Villa by C S Smith, for the owner, Mr Williams. He is sometimes singled out for praise for being a leading figure in the development of “Regency Leamington”.

Neville, Joseph. Dates: 1811 to 1882. Neville was active in Leamington Spa from 1832 to 1838. A notable achievement was his involvement in the design of Clarence Terrace on Warwick Street (now referred to as Clarence Mansions). He was involved with buildings in Wellington Street (later Regent Street) and Grove Street around 1836 and he also designed several buildings in surrounding villages. He lived in Grove Street; S E K Nicklin bought his house and may also have taken over Neville’s business.

Nicholls, John Robert (Dates TBA). Nicholls was a member of the partnership of Nicholls and Sons in Birmingham and designed the schools in Leicester Street and Shrubland Street in 1883 and subsequent improvements for a few years.

Nicklin, Samuel Edward Kettle. Dates: TBA. Nicklin moved from Cheltenham to an office at No 8 Wise Street in 1827; he soon moved to No 21 Grove Street and then to Clifton Cottage in Portland Place. He was active in Leamington Spa until about 1863.
He was involved with several buildings in and near to Portland Street.
In 1828 he designed the Mill Street (‘Lady Huntingdon’s’) chapel; this was later replaced on the site by the existing Urquhart Hall, recently restyled as No 1 Mill Street. In 1828 he designed a theatre in George Street which was not built and in 1833 he designed another proposed theatre and tavern in Warwick Street (not traced – again probably never built). He developed plans for Willes along Kenilworth Road and he designed No 5 Binswood Avenue. He was involved in continuing the building of parts of Lansdowne Crescent around 1838 after the departure of William Thomas.
Unexpectedly, in 1842 he had become innkeeper of the Newbold Inn in Newbold Street. He was then involved with building houses in Court Street, three cottages in Milverton Street (location not yet found) and more in Holly Street around 1860. He was declared bankrupt in 1862 when he was innkeeper at The Volunteer in High Street. He went on to design some houses and the sawmill in Campion Street (now Terrace) in 1863 and also houses in Windsor Street and Hampton Street around 1866; this is the last record about Nicklin which was found.

Normanville (De), William Louis. See entry for “de Normanville” above.

— O P Q —

Oates, C J. Dates: TBA. Records by Lyndon Cave show that he was active in Leamington Spa from 1833 to 1838 and resided in Clemens Street and Charlotte Street. Notable achievements: TBA .

Osborne and Reading. This was the Birmingham firm which took the lead in the design of the Theatre Royal in Regent Grove in 1882 and C J Phipps from London provided assistance (see below).

Phipps, Charles John. 1835 to 1897. Phipps was well-known for designing theatres around the country and helped with the design of the Theatre Royal in Regent Grove in Leamington in 1882. He is best known for designing the Savoy Theatre in London in 1881 and many other theatres in the capital and countrywide. See also the entry for Osborne and Reading above.

Pilkington, AJ. Dates TBA. Pilkington is noted for the design of the Chapel of the Sacred Heart at St Peter’s RC Church in 1894 in Dormer Place. He assisted Clutton when the church was built in 1863. Little more is known about him so far.

Pugin, Augustus Welby Northmore. 1812 to 1852. Pugin is known in Leamington for the design in the final year of his life of Harrington House, a large Gothic Revival structure built for Major Molyneaux Seal (or Seel) in Newbold Terrace. The builder was William Gascoyne and the work appears to have been supervised by Edward Welby Pugin, the eldest son of Augustus. By all accounts the interior was as extraordinary as the exterior. The house was demolished and the Royal Spa Centre was built on the site in 1972. Augustus also produced the design for St Peters R C School built on the corner of New Street and Gordon Street in 1848. It was replaced with a design of Henry T Sandy in 1912 (see below).

Pugin, Edward Welby. 1834 to 1875. In a fairly short career, he completed 100 catholic churches. He designed the altar for the RC Church in George Street and it was moved to St Peter’s Church in Dormer Place in 1904. To read about his involvement with Harrington House see the entry for Augustus Pugin above.

Quick & Lee.Active in Leamington Spa from around 1900. It is unclear which of the projects designed by this firm were the work of Harry Quick. Credit is usually allotted to Frederick William Hobill Lee.

Partner Quick, Harry. About 1858 to 1935 aged 77. He lived in Coventry and mainly worked in the city. No work by Quick has definitely been identified in Leamington.

Partner Lee, Frederick William Hobill. Dates: 1876 to 1954. This Lee was active in Leamington Spa around 1898 to 1954. He was the son of Frederick W Lee a local builder. He was designing a Highfield Refreshment beer-house near Highfield Terrace in 1901, improvements around the bandstand in the Pump Room Gardens in 1908 and extensions to the Pump Room itself in 1910. He designed the façade of Burgis & Colbourne on the Parade in 1925.  He was also a councillor and magistrate as well as being chairman of the board of Burgis & Colbourne’s for many years.
READ MORE

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Rayner & Fedeski. This partnership began when Fedeski left his post with Leamington Borough Council at the end of 1948.

Partner Kenneth Rayner DATES TBA. H Rayner was appointed with A C Bunch (County Architect) to design extensions to Milverton School in 1928, including six new classrooms. In 1930 he became assistant architect for the Slum Clearance Company. He designed 12 houses in Barford in 1935 and extensions to Heathcote Hospital in the following year.

Partner Henry Fedeski, 1907 to 1993. Notable achievements are Lillington Library and Roman Catholic Church, both in Valley Road, Lillington.

Reynolds, Edwin Francis, about 1876 to 1949, age 73 years. Reynolds was a partner in Wood and Kendrick of Colmore Row, Birmingham. Most of his work was in Warwick. In 1946 he advised on the decoration of reredos at the east end of All Saints parish church. He was also involved with building about 100 houses at Kingsway in 1946 when he was instructed by Henry Fedeski on behalf of the council. In 1949 he carried out some work at Leamington High School.

Robins, Josiah. Dates: TBA. Robins was based in Birmingham from 1800 to 1815 and, according to Lyndon Cave, he was active in Leamington Spa from 1809 to 1815. He was the partner of John Kempson (see above). He was involved with sale of land opposite Wise’s Baths in High Street around 1810. Notable achievements included laying out much of Cross Street (Regent Street) in 1809, Upper Cross Street (Warwick Street) in 1819 and Kenilworth Street area about 1826. 

Robinson, George T “Metz”. Dates: 1829 to 1897. This Robinson was active in Leamington Spa from 1855 to 1865. He did some design work in Leamington but he also had other interests and occupations to distract him, including journalism.
READ MORE

Robinson, Peter Frederick. Dates: 1776 to 1858.  This Robinson was active in Leamington Spa from 1823 to 1830. He was famed nationally as a designer of country houses and cottages. Notable achievements included Copps Royal Hotel in High Street, Episcopal Chapel known as Christ Church and Binswood Cottage in Clarendon Square (currently renamed as Magnolia House).

Russell, John. See Russell & Mitchell 

Russell & Mitchell. This article includes information about the two partners in this firm run by the partners, John Russell and Edmund Mitchell.

Partner Edmund Mitchell. Dates: TBA to 1860. Mitchell was active in Leamington Spa from 1836 to 1858. Partner with John Russell who died in 1841. For notable achievements see page for Edmund Mitchell. READ MORE

Partner John Russell. Dates: About 1770 to 1841, aged 71. This Russell was partner with Edmund Mitchell. He is not to be confused with a contemporary John Russell, owner of the Bath Hotel. He was active in Leamington Spa from 1828 to 1837. The partnership was based in Wise Street. Russell lived for many years in Church Walk. For notable achievements see page for John Russell.

Russell, William, about 1819 to 1874, age 55.  This Russell was active in Leamington Spa from 1861 to 1874. He was the son of the John Russell who owned the Bath Hotel (there is no known relationship with the architect John Russell listed earlier). Notable achievements were houses of various sizes built pretty well all over the town.    READ MORE

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Sanders, Richard. Dates: TBA.  Sanders was based in Church Street, Warwick, but was active in Leamington Spa around 1808. A notable achievement was that he designed the first terrace of 28 houses southwards down the west side of what we know as the Parade from Regent Street with William Treadgold.  See also Treadgold, William 2 below. He was also a property developer and had purchased with Timms the site on which the Regent Hotel would be built. He was also involved with houses in Portland Street.

Sandy, Henry T. 1870 to January 1922. Sandy designed the school at the corner of New Street and Gordon Street in 1912 to replace the building designed by Augustus Pugin. He was based at No 22 Greengate, Stafford; later he also had an office in Birmingham. He is noted for several ‘Arts and Crafts’ style houses in Staffordshire.

 Scott, Sir George Gilbert (senior). Dates: 1811 to 1878. This Scott was active in Leamington Spa just briefly around 1855. His notable achievement was that as an architect with a national reputation he advised on improvements to the parish church, especially the weakness of the existing structure beneath a proposed central tower. He favoured the Gothic revival style and the highly regarded Midland Grand Hotel alongside St Pancras station is a prime example of his work; he also designed the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens.

 Scott, George Gilbert (junior). Dates: 1839 to 1897. This Scott was active in Leamington Spa from 1875 to 1877. He was son of Sir George Gilbert Scott (see above) and father of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (1880 to 1960), George Gilbert junior became known as the ‘Middle Scott’. He was consulted about a dispute over work at the Parish Church in 1856. He was also consulted about work at St Margaret’s Church, Whitnash. However, his notable achievements locally were St Marks church in Early English style in 1875 and the adjacent vicarage in the Queen Anne style. The vicarage was soon criticised as being far too large; looking at the vicarage today, it is difficult to understand why it is quite so huge. Amongst other achievements, he was the architect for Westminster Abbey from around 1888.

Scruton, Victor (Dates TBA). Scruton was based at No 7 Waterloo Street in Birmingham. He designed significant additions to Francis’s drapery shop in Bath Street in 1889, extending back to Bath Place; the work was notable for the Venetian ripple-glass windows designed by Scruton. He also carried out improvements to the Congregational Chapel in Spencer Street in 1892.

Sherwood, Edmund James. Dates: 1849 to 1921. Sherwood briefly made a mark in Leamington Spa around 1884 when his notable achievement was that he was the architect within the central office of the Salvation Army in London who designed the Citadel in Park Street. It was demolished in 1984 for the building of the Royal Priors shopping centre.

Slater William (Dates TBA). Slater was in a partnership with R Herbert Carpenter and they were based in Northamptonshire. He advised on repairs and extensions to the Parish Church from 1869 to 1873.

Smith, Charles Samuel. Dates: about 1790 to . Smith had his office in Smith Street, Warwick, and was active in Leamington Spa from about 1808 to 1818. He trained at the Royal Academy Schools and was a pupil of Jeffry Wyatt in 1811. Notable achievements were that he designed several key buildings in the town. It is often reported that he designed the Upper Assembly on the corner of the Parade and Regent Street (on a site well known subsequently for 100 years as Woodward’s) but Cave noted that it may have been Busby. Smith designed the Royal Pump Room in 1814, the Regent Hotel in 1819, Denby Villa in 1821 (or 1828) and the Crown Hotel. The design of Denby Villa was praised by John Nash. Note that this Smith should not be confused with the famed ‘Smith of Warwick’ who was Francis Smith, 1672 to 1738, a century earlier. Francis Smith was especially known for designing many large country houses in the Midlands.

Squirhill, Daniel Goodman. Dates: 1808 to 1863. Active in Leamington Spa from 1834 to 1863. He is occasionally incorrectly referred to as David. Notable achievements were many activities including several buildings, a role as a Commissioner and then as the Surveyor for the town. READ MORE

Startin, William (about 1807 to 1865, aged 58). Startin was at Bedford Street and then Waterloo House. His only recorded local commission was as the architect for the home of Dr Henry Jephson at Beech Lawn, Warwick Street, built in 1831, the builder was Stephen Peasnall. He designed the two buildings at the end of the proposed terrace on the west side of Clarendon Place, namely Somerset House and York House. He had financial difficulties and by 1841 he was not in business and subsequently moved to various addresses in London, Dorset and Gloucestershire. He was later described as a civil engineer.

Street, George Edward (Dates TBA). Street was from Russell Square in London and was consulted about the rebuilding of parts of the Parish Church around 1865. Although John Craig favoured his plans in 1867 it has not so far been possible to determine if any of his proposals were implemented.

— T —

Tainsh, James Charles Henry. 1923 to 2015.  Tainsh was born in Wales. In his earlier years in the war he was an officer with a Ghurka Regiment and was seriously wounded in the defence of Assam in 1944. He trained as an architect in Dundee.  When he was a group architect with the county council Tainsh designed the staff accommodation at Lillington Library in 1959 which has since been converted to offices. Tainsh moved to Berkshire and then returned as the Warwickshire County Architect from mid 1970s to the 1980s.

Taylor, A J (Dates TBA). This Taylor was from Bath and, therefore, presumably had some knowledge of spa water supply systems. He proposed alterations to the Royal Pump Rooms from 1919 to 1924. His initial proposal was deemed to be unaffordable but some of his ideas were implemented and he certainly improved the heating system.

Taylor, John. Dates: TBA. There are reports that this Mr Taylor was active in Leamington Spa around 1830. His office was at Park Street and later, at No 59 Regent Street. He was a partner with Richard Hopton for some time. It has not been possible to identify any of his work in Leamington.

Taylor, Theophilus. Dates TBA. This Taylor was at No 50 Wellington Street (later Regent Street). He was involved in the design of the large houses in Portland Place West, facing up Portland Street.

Thomas, William. Dates: 1799 to 1860. Thomas moved from Birmingham to live in Leamington Spa and was active from 1831 until 1843. Notable achievements include many key projects, in Classical and Gothic styles, including Lansdowne Circus and Lansdowne Crescent, Victoria House, and buildings at Warwick Place, Upper Holly Walk, Victoria Terrace and (possibly) a terrace in Bath Street. He struggled after the financial storm following the collapse of the Leamington Priors Bank and moved himself and his large family to Toronto in Canada in 1843 where he continued to design many key buildings and is widely acclaimed to this day.

Thorne & Barton, Dates. This firm created the modular design for the hexagonal houses in Cubbington Road which were built in 1967 by Lewis & Watters.

Timms, Francis James. Dates: TBA. Timms is said by Cave to have been active in Leamington Spa from 1840. He designed the chapel for the United Methodist Free Church on the south side of Warwick Street, to the east of Kenilworth Street, in 1864; demolished.

Treadgold, Edward. Dates: TBA. Noted by Cave and was active in Leamington Spa from 1816 to 1833. He took over the business of William West, builder, when West became bankrupt. He designed De Coigny House in Portland Street in 1832, which has not yet been traced. In 1833 he was living in Church Street.

Treadgold, Thomas. Dates: 1778 to 1814, age 36. Recorded by Lyndon Cave as active in Leamington Spa from perhaps 1800 to 1814; he died at the early age of 36; he was better known as a builder. Notable achievements TBA.

Treadgold, William 1. Dates TBA. Active in Leamington Spa from about 1783 to 1801. A notable achievement was that he was probably involved with repairs to what later was named Victoria Bridge.

Treadgold, William 2. Dates: TBA. Active in Leamington Spa around 1808. A notable achievement was that he was involved with Richard Sanders in designing the first terrace of about 28 houses on the Parade (see Sanders above). In 1819 he was advertising houses for sale in Church Street.

— W —

Wakerley, Arthur, 1862 to 1931. Wakerley was an architect, businessman and politician based in Leicester. A standard design by him was used for many houses on the Rushmore Estate. A few houses of the same design are in Pound Lane, Lillington.

Ward, F Lloyd (Dates TBA). Ward was based in Birmingham and was the architect for the building of the new Lockheed works in Tachbrook Road from about 1931 to 1934 and the addition of the sports and social club in 1936. The long façade along the main road mostly housed offices and was very striking.

Watson, Charles (probably also known as William). Dates: 1812 to 1879. This Watson was active in Leamington Spa from 1837 when he was at No 69 Portland Street. Notable achievements have not been located in Leamington but he was involved with the design of several new churches in local villages; in 1878 he also started the Napton brickworks. Another notable achievement was the design of Warwick Hospital.

Watson, Frederick Payne. Dates: 1809 to 1891. Watson was active in Leamington Spa from 1838 to 1857. He was at Warwick Place in 1837 and No 11 Portland Place in 1840. At some date he was Surveyor for Leamington. Notable achievements were drawing maps of the town which were published by Beck. He also designed the workhouse at Warwick in Lakin Road.

Watson, Joseph. Dates TBA. This Watson was the architect who was involved in the design and development of housing on the land in Lillington between Lime Avenue, Leicester Lane, Highland Road and Cubbington Road from about 1935 for McGregor.

White, William. Dates: 1825 to 1900. White was named locally as articled to Daniel G Squirhill until 1847 and probably also assisted in the design of buildings for John Cundall; he later moved to Truro. No notable achievements have been recorded locally.

Whitwell, Thomas Stedman. Dates: 1784 to 1840. Born in Coventry, Whitwell was active in Leamington Spa from about 1820 to 1822. Whitwell is noted for his plans around 1820 for a Utopian community development in the area of Brunswick Street and Charlotte Street which was referred to as Southville. The plan was exhibited at the Royal Academy but none of this grandiose development was built. He went on to design buildings in Coventry and Birmingham and an ill-fated theatre in London, none of which survive.

Willcocks, Reginald W. Dates TBA. The only record of Willcocks found so far is that he resigned as architect for Flavels in 1949 to enter private practice.

Williams, James. Dates TBA. Williams was the architect for the Post Office in Priory Terrace built in 1870. It has been extended subsequently. The builder was William Gascoyne.

Wills. Dates: TBA. Wills was noted in Leamington Spa around 1846. One contribution was that he was involved with Hopton, a nurseryman, in drawing up plans for the layout of Jephson Gardens which, it is believed, were not used. 

Wilson-Wood, Harry W. Dates TBA. Wilson-Wood was involved with the design of the Queensway Industrial estate around 1953.

Woddeson or Woodison; these are probably different spellings for the same person. Dates TBA. His office was at No 40 Parade in 1837. One note is that he advised against removing the pillars at the Royal Assembly Room (Parthenon) in Bath Street in 1835.

Wontner, Leslie. Dates TBA. Wontner took over the business of William Russell at No 15 Portland Street in 1874 and soon moved to No 41 Upper Parade. No record of work by Wontner has been found.

Woodhouse, George. Dates TBA. Woodhouse was based in Bolton-le-Moors (currently part of the town of Bolton) and his single local commission was that he designed the Wesleyan (Methodist) chapel in Dale Street in 1869, but not the adjoining community hall (see Charles Edward Lee above). The chapel was demolished in 1971 and replaced soon afterwards with a design by Cripps and Stewart (see above).

— X Y Z —

Young, Keith D (and Hall). This firm, based in London, designed extensions of Warneford hospital from about 1887 to 1898. Major additions were two wards, each with 14 beds in 1898. They were also involved work at Warwick Hospital in 1887 and in the design of the new Heathcote Infectious Diseases Hospital in 1890 (now the Rehabilitation hospital).

Michael Jeffs, February 2021

Sources
Local newspapers in the British Newspaper Archive, and especially the Leamington Spa Courier.
The usual reference books on the history of Royal Leamington Spa
Members of Leamington History Group – thank you