The Regency grandeur of the “Old Bank House”, a 4 storey, double-fronted building of about 1822, has long dominated Leamington banking and the Parade, at “Cross Street and Upper Union Parade” on land owned by William Pratt. Originally, a residential building, it was known as “Union House” in its early days, receiving a steady flow … Read more
Lillington Parish Church is Anglo-Saxon in origin, and though the present building dates mainly from the 1480s and up to the Victorian period, there is probable Saxon work still to be seen in the south wall of the chancel, and a Saxon doorway in the Lady Chapel. Settlers from East Anglia reached this place between … Read more
Lansdowne Circus has access from Upper Holly Walk, Willes Road and Thomas Street but still retains the atmosphere of a quiet, sedate cul-de-sac to this day. This Circus was built between 1836 and 1840; the first mention of the street in the Leamington Courier was in 1835 and two newly-built houses were for sale in … Read more
In a Spa of fashionable, Regency buildings, Lansdowne Crescent is a remarkable architectural feat in the east of town, in an area “most improving and picturesque.” It provided 21 classy homes and lodging houses, to which the gentry flocked, attracted by the Spa, the hunting and the abundant entertainment. “Without compare,” Leamington offered “superior … Read more
This was opened on 16th October 1825, the first of the proprietary chapels or chapel of ease built in Leamington. The chosen site across the top of the Parade was at the opposite end of the town from All Saints the parish church. It was built on open land, which soon became the centre of … Read more
Burgis & Colbourne, also known as The Bedford Stores, was founded by Charles Richard Burgis in 1855, at the age of 24. He broke away from his Oxfordshire family to set up on his own in fashionable Royal Leamington Spa, opening his first shop in Regent Street, followed by a branch in Brunswick Street (later … Read more
As part of the growth of Leamington Priors, Brandon Parade was set out in the 1830s on land originally belonging to Edward Willes of Newbold Comyn. Over the years, Brandon Lodge, Holly Walk was known as 10 Brandon Parade, 60 Holly Walk and Preston Lodge. By the 1840s, there were complaints about the ‘bad state’ … Read more
The Grade II* listed building at No 27 Binswood Avenue, which was known as Binswood Hall when it was part of North Leamington School, is now known as Audley Binswood, and offers well-appointed residential accommodation for older people. It was designed by the local architect Daniel Squirhill and when opened in 1847/48 it was the … Read more
Beech Lawn, “Dr Henry Jephson’s splendid mansion” once stood at the south-west corner of the crossing of Warwick Street and Dale Street. It appears that the land was sold in July 1831 to several people including Daniel Winter Burbury. Designed by a local architect, William Startin, the house was built by Stephen Peasnall and a … Read more
No 6 Beauchamp Avenue – originally No.2 Beauchamp Walk – was erected as part of a long-drawn-out speculative development undertaken by Edward Willes, an influential local landowner. A plan of 1822 shows the new town laid out for building up to Warwick Street. By 1834 the avenues between Warwick Street and the present Lillington Avenue … Read more
Nos 41 – 47 and 51 – 53 Clapham Terrace, Leamington Spa [The Barracks, Outline drawing of Barracks: Wm Kendall, County Surveyor July 29 1856. (Bill Gibbons archive)] Following the re-organisation of the two regiments of Warwickshire Militia under the Militia Act of 1852, the 2nd Warwickshire Militia chose to make their headquarters in Leamington. In … Read more
Abbotts’ Baths (or Well) were a key factor in the step-change in the fortunes and growth of Leamington Priors. The man they were named for was William Abbotts who ran The Dog Inn (sometimes the Black Dog) on the south side of High Street from 1776 to 1793. This inn was to the east of … Read more
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
September 9, 2026
August 12, 2026
August 8, 2026