There can be a debate about which of Lillington or Leamington Priors parish churches was founded first. There is little evidence either way before the Norman Conquest. The Domesday Book states that Lamintone (Leamington) had a priest and, therefore, probably the existence of a form of church, in 1086; there is evidence of a church in … Read more
Standing prominently at the corner of Dormer Place and Lower Union Parade, this building marked the gateway to Leamington New Town, providing substantial, quality residential and business accommodation. Its unique position offered versatility for respected up-and-coming Leamington businesses, including ironmongeries, a bazaar, a quality tailor shop, a bank and a pizza restaurant. Now known as 168-170 … Read more
This article relates mainly to the first houses built on the Parade from Regent Street towards Victoria Bridge but also includes the single building on the north-west corner of the crossroads of the Parade and Regent Street. First, a little about the history of this area. The southern end of what is now the Parade from the … Read more
By 1875 the Leamington Town Council had replaced the Leamington Priors Commissioners who had, in turn, replaced the Local Board of Health. The Commissioners had a base in Church Street adjoining the poorhouse, which they shared with the local magistrates as a Sessions House. It is likely that the Commissioners were persuaded to leave the Church Street … Read more
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 … Read more
As Leamington, north of the Leam, was developing as a Spa Town during the early part of the nineteenth century, developers were anxious to acquire land for building. However, the Reverend Edward Willes, a major landowner of eastern Leamington, was not anxious to sell. When he died in 1820 his son, also Edward, moved the … Read more
The Willes family were major landowners in Leamington, mainly in the east of the town. It was Edward Willes (1787-1847) who released much of the family land during the early part of the 19th century, which led to the development of the Leamington we know today, including the renowned Jephson Gardens. The family lived at Newbold Comyn … Read more
To the north east of Leamington are Newbold Comyn and the Campion Hills. It was here that the Willes family had their manor house (see article). Slightly to the north was an imposing farm house and stables, (still in use today as the Newbold Comyn Arms) and again just further north and to the east, was … Read more
Benjamin Satchwell and William Abbotts were credited with the initial development of Leamington as a spa town. Once a source of spa water was discovered by Satchwell and Abbotts in 1784 on land belonging to Abbotts in Bath Lane (later Bath Street) a bath house was built and Satchwell set about promoting Leamington Priors as … Read more
The House. Clarendon Square was laid out about 1828 to the original scheme by P F Robinson, architect, of Brook Street, Mayfair. He was assisted by J G Jackson, the land agent for Willes who was a pupil of Robinson. The gardens in the Square were planted with trees in May 1830. No 6 Clarendon Square … Read more
The first suggestion for a railway connection to Leamington appeared in a report of a survey for a railway from Coventry in February 1839. The route was proposed as a branch to connect the towns of Leamington and Warwick to the London to Birmingham line which had been opened on 17th September 1838. Milverton was a … Read more
Milverton Lawn is now apartments, but was once a substantial Victorian family home, with a ballroom and fine reception rooms. The first owner of the house was a Leamington banker, Hubert Lloyd Esq, whose initials are still to be seen engraved in the design of the columns flanking the main entrance. In 1851, Hubert Lloyd and family lived … Read more
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
November 7, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026