Observation Hill

Hill, Mountain in Warwickshire Warwick

England

Observation Hill

Pair of shops, Clemens Street, Leamington's Old Town Frettons, on the right, was a well-liked motor-cycle dealer. The shop was reported permanently closed in June 2017. In March 2021 police discovered a cannabis factory in the premises. The crop was estimated to have a street value of up to £360,000. The Leamington Courier reported the trial in May <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/crime/closed-down-leamington-motorbike-showroom-put-to-a-different-use-by-criminals-as-a-cannabis-factory-3227698" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/crime/closed-down-leamington-motorbike-showroom-put-to-a-different-use-by-criminals-as-a-cannabis-factory-3227698">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Clemens Street was laid out in 1808; development began later and it became fashionable. This unlisted pair of buildings flank a passage through to Court Street. — Pair of shops, Clemens Street, Leamington's Old Town Credit: Robin Stott

Observation Hill is a prominent natural landmark located in Warwickshire, England. Rising to an elevation of approximately 200 meters (656 feet), it is considered a hill rather than a mountain due to its relatively modest height. Situated in the heart of the county, Observation Hill offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The hill is characterized by its gentle slopes and lush greenery, adorned with a variety of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. A well-maintained footpath winds its way to the summit, providing easy access for visitors of all ages and abilities. Along the way, benches are strategically placed, allowing hikers to pause and admire the picturesque landscape.

At the top of Observation Hill, a viewing platform awaits, offering unobstructed vistas of the Warwickshire countryside. On clear days, one can see for miles, with the rolling hills, meandering rivers, and patchwork fields stretching out into the distance. The hill is particularly renowned for its stunning sunsets, attracting photographers and nature enthusiasts who come to capture the magical colors that paint the sky.

The area surrounding Observation Hill is also rich in wildlife, with a diverse range of bird species, small mammals, and insects inhabiting the hillside. It is not uncommon to spot rabbits, foxes, and various types of songbirds during a visit.

Overall, Observation Hill is a tranquil and picturesque location, offering a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its natural beauty and stunning views make it a must-visit destination for those exploring Warwickshire.

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Observation Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.291387/-1.5101137 or Grid Reference SP3366. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pair of shops, Clemens Street, Leamington's Old Town

Frettons, on the right, was a well-liked motor-cycle dealer. The shop was reported permanently closed in June 2017. In March 2021 police discovered a cannabis factory in the premises. The crop was estimated to have a street value of up to £360,000. The Leamington Courier reported the trial in May Link

Clemens Street was laid out in 1808; development began later and it became fashionable. This unlisted pair of buildings flank a passage through to Court Street.

Robin Stott

Former Co-op Home store occupied, Leamington

Now three floors of flats above Esquires Coffee and Dodo Pizza. It's hard to believe that the town needs any more coffee shops and pizza outlets. Compare SP3166 : Former Co-op Home store, Warwick Street, Royal Leamington Spa.

Robin Stott

Station bench - Leamington Spa

It may say 'Stratford on Avon' but this bench is to be found on platform 2 at Leamington just east of the main building. The little brass plaque explains what it is doing here: 'After nationalisation in 1948 British Rail owned all rail assets and moved items between stations. This bench has been at Leamington station for many years'. Presumably, then, at some point Stratford had a surplus of benches and Leamington a shortage. Note the differences in the two supports: one showing GWR and the other BR(W), indicating that the one on the left was replaced probably in the 1950s. It is certainly a curiosity but looks as though it could do with some renovation.

Stephen McKay

Floral train - Leamington Station

Floral trains are a tradition at Leamington and this one can be seen to the east of the main building on platform 2. The board states that it was 'crafted by Moreton Morrell College apprentices'.

Stephen McKay

Leamington Spa Station

Although this station dates from 1852, it was rebuilt by the Great Western Railway in the 1930s in a fashionable art deco style. It remains a busy place but an unusual - and very pleasing - feature is the large garden on platform 2. Work on this began in 2005 by the Friends of Leamington station and it now comprises a 164ft lawn, a herbaceous border and a yew topiary 'steam train' hedge.

Stephen McKay

Leamington Spa Station

This is the eastern end of platform 2, looking towards Banbury and London. In the foreground is the station garden, one of the largest in the country.

Stephen McKay

Inside the Boiler Room, Leamington Spa

The Boiler Room describes itself as an 'independent ale, craft beer, wine and artisan gin bar...within a chic industrial themed interior'. A feature of the design is this stack of beer barrels.

Stephen McKay

Offchurch Bury Park, aerial 2021

Horsebox Park, in connection with Pony Club event.

Simon Tomson

2-4 Kenilworth Road, Leamington Spa

This pair of Regency town houses was built c1822-34 and faces on Christchurch Gardens. Like many Leamington town houses they are built from brick faced with painted stucco and have cast iron railings and balconies. They were later enlarged to the left and to the rear and served as a hotel for many years, first as the Guys Hotel and more recently as a Berni Inn, painted strawberry-ice-cream pink. They have since been converted back to housing. Two-storey houses on Clarendon Avenue can be seen to the right. Link

A J Paxton

Space Invader mosaic, Arlington Avenue, Leamington Spa

This small mosaic, of 70 tiles, depicts an alien of the pixelated Space Invader type, familiar from the Japanese video game of that name from 1978. It is set into the white painted stucco of a wall outside a large Regency town house. One tile, near the top right, is translucent, suggesting a moon in the night sky. On Space Invaders, see Matt Alt, Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture conquered the World, Constable, 2020.

A J Paxton

Town Houses, Clarendon Street, Leamington Spa

A row of early-mid 19th century town houses in the Regency style, some two storey, some three, of brick faced with painted stucco and with sliding sash windows, all in a restrained classical style.

A J Paxton

Maisonettes on Lansdowne Street, Leamington Spa

These maisonettes are part of the 1960s Kennedy Square development.

A J Paxton

Victorian villas, Kenilworth Road, Leamington Spa

Unusually for English houses, some of these have shutters which are not merely decorative but actually work; see the house on the left, which had all three upstairs windows facing the road shuttered (only the right hand one is visible).

A J Paxton

Partial closure of Warwick Street, west side, Royal Leamington Spa

During the pandemic the Parade (distant crossing) was made traffic-free to allow social distancing. The approaches of the Regent Street and Warwick Street crossings were closed, though some vehicle access was allowed for businesses. On the left the departed Yorkshire Bank suffers the indignity of being to let as a shop.

Robin Stott

Leamington's Parade in Lockdown

Leamington's busy Parade was closed to traffic to allow social distancing on footways. The stretches near the eight or so bus stops could be especially congested. Although re-opened to traffic in late summer 2021, a petition was launched to keep the Parade traffic-free.

Robin Stott

The Happy To Chat Bench at Leamington Spa Station

This bench is on platform 3 and its inscription notice refers to it being The Happy To Chat Bench, Link refers.

David Hillas

Inscription Notice on Bench at Leamington Spa Station

This inscription notice on a bench at station platform 3 has the following wording: THE HAPPY TO CHAT BENCH Please sit here if you don't mind someone stopping to say hello

David Hillas

Repurposed portico, Parade, Royal Leamington Spa

The splendid front doors to a former house have been blocked by planters, perhaps to increase security for adjacent businesses who also occupy upper floors.

Robin Stott

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Observation Hill is located at Grid Ref: SP3366 (Lat: 52.291387, Lng: -1.5101137)

Administrative County: Warwickshire

District: Warwick

Police Authority: Warwickshire