Royal Leamington Spa Information
About Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa (named after the River Leam that flows through
it) is a spa town in central Warwickshire, with an estimated population
of 45,114 - the highest population in South Warwickshire. Until the beginning
of the 1800s the town was a village which went by the name of Leamington
Priors. 
Leamington only begun to grow on the rediscovery of the spa waters originally discovered in Roman Times. The first spring was discovered in Leamington in 1784 by William Abbotts and Benjamin Satchwell (Interestingly one of Leamington's Bar is named after Benjamin), and in 1814 the Royal Pump Rooms and Baths were opened.
The Pump rooms attracted many visitors, which boasted the world's first gravity fed piped hot water system in modern times, created by engineer William Murdoch. Leamington soon became a popular spa resort which attracted the wealthy and famous, and construction began of numerous Georgian townhouses to accommodate visitors.
The town became "Royal" Leamington spa in 1838, granted by Queen Victoria, who visited the town as a Princess in 1830 and as Queen in 1858, and whose statue still stands in the town. The Pump Rooms still exist to this day, and the Spa Water still flows. They have fulfilled several different functions over time, from a medical centre in the Second World War, to a public swimming pool. In 1999 the pump rooms re-opened as a culture and heritage centre. It features the Leamington Art Gallery, a museum and library.
Another great feature of Leamington is Jephson Gardens. First
laid out in 1831 as informal riverside walks, the original Newbold Gardens
were developed as more formal pleasure grounds after 1846 in honour of
Dr Henry Jephson, who had promoted the town as a spa. It has been officially
awarded 'Green Heiratage Site' status, as well as an award for 'Best Park
in Britain' awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Today Leamington enjoys a thriving business community. It is undergoing continuing redevelopment, and can boast a great shopping experience with both major chain stores and many independant shops. It enjoys a repulation for having high quality bars, with an equally thriving night life.
All pictures have been kindly donated by Leamington Spa Picture Library
Attractions
• Royal Pump Rooms
• Jephson Gardens
Restaurants
Pubs/Bars/Clubs
• Bar 44
• BarCode
• The Benjamin Satchwell (JD Wetherspoon)
• Bowling Green
• Bubbles Wine Bar
• The Cask and Bottle
• The Cricketers Arms
• The Jug and Jester
• Kelsey's Bar
• Lounge
• Moo Bar
• Mumbai Blue
• Murphys
• The New Inn
• O2
• The Oak Inn
• Oscars
• Robbins Well
• The Royal Exchange
• The Slug and Lettuce
• The Somerville Arms
• The Sozzled Sausage / V Bar
• The Star and Garter
• Sweeney's
• Sugar
• Tavistock Inn
• The Tiller Pin
• TJ's Bar and Bistro (Sports Bar Cocktail bar Venue)
• The Townhouse
• The White Horse
• The Willoughby
• Vodoo
• Yates's
Leamington Spa Links
•
Royal Leamington Spa Council -- Leamington Spa Council web site.
• Royal Leamington
Spa Town Web Site - web-site developed in partnership between Town
Centre Management Initiative and the Royal Leamington Spa Chamber of Trade.
