As the village of Leamington Priors rapidly developed into a fashionable spa, the increasing number of visitors and residents required distractions other than simply taking the waters. Bath Street was at the hub of the initial development since most of the springs and the bath houses built around them were in that vicinity. By 1813 … Read more
Most references to a Workhouse or Poor-house in Leamington relate to premises in Court Street. However, before trying to establish some details of this place it is probably appropriate to deal more widely with how the community of a small place like Leamington Priors in 1800 cared about and cared for the poor. Generally, there … Read more
According to company records, No 42 Warwick Street was designed and built by local architect William Thomas as both the office and residence for A S Field Esq, between 1838-1840. With a growing family of three sons and two daughters, Mr Field eventually moved out of the town centre to Blackdown House, Lillington but retained the Warwick Street … 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 demise of public houses in the local area has prompted a phase of demolition with replacement by housing; not … 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. A considerable part of North East Leamington, including the plot where Victoria House now stands, was originally purchased from the … Read more
In 1810 a group of people in the town realised that, despite the growing population, there was not a suitable room for meetings, events and entertainment in the town. Prior to that date a room near the old Bowling Green Inn south of the river was used. A Committee was formed, funds were raised, and the … Read more
By 1881 the population of the town, now named Royal Leamington Spa, had risen to about 23,000. It was four times the size it had been when the original ‘Old’ Town Hall (see article) was built in 1830 and, consequently, a much larger building was required. Following the closure of the Upper Assembly on the Parade … Read more
The name ‘Theatre Royal’ has been used for at least two theatres in the town and it may have occasionally also been applied to another. The first incarnation with the name was the theatre built in Bath Street in 1813. This stood on the east side of the street and was near to the church just … 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. A group of three high-rise multi-storey residential blocks dating from 1959 when construction started are to found at what is … Read more
The Tennis Court Club first began negotiations to buy land in Holly Walk to build a home for what the Leamington Courier considered “this scientific and beautiful game” in 1844. Two years and many negotiations later, the courts opened instead in Bedford Street. ‘Real’ or Royal Tennis, as opposed to Lawn Tennis, is an ancient game, … Read more
It is likely that Sydenham Farm came into being following the Enclosure Act of 1768 when common land went into private ownership. Fields were divided by fences and hedges and farms were developed. Matthew Wise of Shrubland Hall was awarded “Sydenham Fields and Sydenham Meadowe”. The exact date that the farmhouse was built is unclear but the … Read more
South Parade was the name of a row of eight houses on the north side of Charlotte Street towards the west end of the street. There was some confusion with the name South Parade because Clarendon Avenue was also known as South Parade until 1881. The name South Parade does not appear to have been used for the … Read more
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
August 12, 2026
August 8, 2026