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
Around 1836, the noted architect, William Thomas, began to develop parts of North East Leamington including Holly Walk, Willes Road and Lansdowne Circus. He designed a series of houses for different income groups: semi-detached properties for the moderately wealthy, detached villas for the wealthy and immense and elaborate villas for the very wealthy. Two of … 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
Following the end of the First World War David Lloyd George’s Government passed the 1919 Housing Act (the Addison Act, named after the then Minister of Health.) This permittedlocal authorities to build Council Houses and use the General Rate Fund to finance the building of them. There was some reluctance on the part of some of … Read more
Leamington is justly renowned for its Regency elegance, its squares, crescents and the Parade. However, after the glamorous early days of the spa town, it settled into middle-class respectability and residential life. The coming of the railway in the 1840s supported both visitors to the town and an increasing number of commuters, wealthy manufacturers and … 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
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
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
Marlborough Hotel started life in the 1850s as a private Regency house, Elmley Lodge, in Brandon Parade, designed by builder, Benjamin Bradshaw. It was No 4 Brandon Parade and later No 48 Holly Walk. The house was to provide the future home for distinguished nobility and clergy in the 19th century and then developed as a Boarding … Read more
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
November 7, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026