In 1858 Royal Leamington Spa was graced with a visit by Queen Victoria on 16th June. I came across an unexpected aspect of this visit whilst looking into the history of the builders of the town. Two of the builders had built stands for the local people to have an optimum view of the monarch … Read more
Many sports have taken place in the town over the years from Bowls, both Local, National and International, to Cricket, to Real Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Football and Darts. Forgive me anyone who thinks their sport should have had a mention! I was intrigued when I found a number of images in the Archives showing Archery … Read more
My grandmother, Mary Ann Walton, lived at No 1 Clinton Street, Leamington Spa. She is pictured standing by the lamppost in the attached photograph. The cobbled terrace had a small fore-garden to each house and every house had a well under the front room (possibly a rainwater/roof collection well). Number 1 was the end house … Read more
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
Originally the only source of drinking water in the spa town of Leamington was filtered water from the River Leam. This water supply was controlled by the Oldham family. However, by the 1870s problems had developed with the quality of the water and attempts were made to secure a new source. Thanks to the sterling efforts … 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
Warneford Hospital was one of the best-loved landmarks in the parish of St Mary’s, Leamington Spa, and was so very familiar to many of us. Perhaps we, or our children, were born in Cay Block, or maybe we had our tonsils out in the Children’s Ward. It is invariably locally called “The Warneford”. The origins of … 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
A considerable part of North East Leamington, including the plot where Victoria House now stands, was originally purchased from the landowner, Edward Willes, by Joseph Vincent Barber. Although better-known as a landscape artist, Joseph Barber became a major speculator in Leamington. Between July 1832 and December 1835 he bought ten acres of land from Willes, covering … 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
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
November 7, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026