Royal Leamington Spa

Named after the River Leam, originally a small village, it grew into a spa town in the 18th century when it became popular to go after medicinal qualities of fresh springs. In the 19th century, the town experienced one of the most rapid developments in England. 

Leamington Spa’s Parade used to be a very fashionable pedestrian area. There are fine examples of Regency architecture. One could see with the imaginations eyes how ladies in white dresses and white umbrellas we walking up and down this street a hundred years ago. Today is a different tale, although we were lucky enough that the street was closed for traffic during our visit. Some sporting event.

The spa waters in the area were known in Roman times. They were rediscovered in 1784. Six of the seven wells were drilled for commercial purposes. Only the original spring at the site of the Aylesford Well, adjacent to the Parish Church, occurred naturally.

During the early 19th century, developers began concentrating the town's expansion on the land north of the river. This resulted in the Georgian centre of New Town with the river Leam flowing between the two.

In 1814, the Royal Pump Rooms and Baths were opened on the site trying to cover increasing demand. Spa water can still be sampled outside the building but apart from that the Spa only remains in the name and the Springs are long gone :(

Leamington Spa and the surrounding area, known as Silicon Spa, is a significant global centre for the video game industry.

The popularity of spa resorts declined towards the end of the 19th century. Local economy shifted towards becoming a popular place of residence for retired people and for members of the middle class. Its well off residents led to the development of Leamington as a popular place for shopping.

Leamington has been featured in a number of television series, including the 1990s BBC situation comedy Keeping Up Appearances – filmed in and around the area.

Scenes for a re-make of the series Upstairs, Downstairs were shot on Clarendon Square and in The Jephson Gardens.

Famous people who were born in Leamington include the world champion boxer Randolph Turpin (1928–1966),[63] and the poet, mountaineer, magician, and occultist Aleister Crowley (1875–1947)

In 1838 Queen Victoria granted the town a 'Royal' prefix, and 'Leamington Priors' was renamed 'Royal Leamington Spa'. Queen Victoria had visited the town as a Princess in 1830 and as Queen in 1858.

Leamington is closely associated with the founding of lawn tennis.

An oak tree just to the northeast of the town centre is marked by a plaque stating that it commemorates the Midland Oak, a tree that grew near the spot and was reputed to be at the centre of England. We could not find it but the gardens were quite nice. 

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum is located in the Royal Pump Rooms, on the Parade. It holds a collection of over 12,000 objects, including fine and decorative arts, as well as items relating to local and social history. It provides exhibitions in the visual arts and about the history of the town

Wxplore Royal Leamington Spa in a moving picture :

Cheers!