Royal Leamington Spa

Settlement in Warwickshire Warwick

England

Royal Leamington Spa

Anthony Eden Gent's Hairdresser A gent&#039;s hairdressers on Clarendon Street with a very famous name, that of a former British Prime Minister, Anthony Eden who was the town&#039;s MP from the 1920s until his resignation in 1957. No, this isn&#039;t what he turned his hand to after his political career ended, but I understand the proprietor of this business was named after him. — Anthony Eden Gent's Hairdresser Credit: Philip Halling

Royal Leamington Spa, located in Warwickshire, England, is a vibrant and historic town known for its elegant Regency architecture and natural mineral springs. With a population of around 50,000, it is situated on the banks of the River Leam, hence its name. The town has a rich cultural heritage and is often referred to as Leamington or simply "The Spa."

Leamington Spa gained popularity in the 19th century when its healing waters were discovered to have medicinal properties. As a result, it became a fashionable destination for the aristocracy and upper classes seeking relaxation and wellness. Today, the town's beautiful Georgian and Victorian buildings still reflect this affluent past.

In addition to its architectural charm, Leamington Spa offers a range of cultural and recreational activities. The town center, known as the Parade, is lined with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a popular destination for shoppers and food enthusiasts. Jephson Gardens, a stunning 19th-century park, provides a tranquil escape with its picturesque landscapes and floral displays.

Leamington Spa also boasts a thriving arts scene, with various art galleries and theaters hosting regular exhibitions and performances. The Royal Pump Rooms, a Grade II listed building, houses the town's museum and art gallery, showcasing local history and contemporary art.

With its convenient location, Leamington Spa offers excellent transport links. The town's train station provides quick access to major cities like Birmingham, London, and Oxford. Moreover, its proximity to Warwick Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Cotswolds make it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding areas.

Overall, Royal Leamington Spa is a charming and picturesque town that seamlessly blends history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for visitors and residents alike.

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Royal Leamington Spa Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.28996/-1.521275 or Grid Reference SP3265. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Anthony Eden Gent's Hairdresser

A gent's hairdressers on Clarendon Street with a very famous name, that of a former British Prime Minister, Anthony Eden who was the town's MP from the 1920s until his resignation in 1957. No, this isn't what he turned his hand to after his political career ended, but I understand the proprietor of this business was named after him.

Philip Halling

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

Smoke from a fire in south Leamington

When I first noticed it mid-morning from street level I thought for a moment from the size of it that it was an unusual cloud formation. Photos appeared among NextDoor messages; the Warwick Courier website had a brief report; the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire news page reported that the fire service was dealing with a blaze and explosions at Leeson Polymers. Link

The address given, Juno Drive, was perhaps where the fire service was working from. The company's website ("temporarily closed") gives its address as Hermes Close, a winding drive serving a number of medium-sized units on an industrial estate off Tachbrook Park Drive.

Robin Stott

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

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

Banks of the River Leam between two bridges, Royal Leamington Spa

Vegetation has been removed though it's not clear why or by whom. Environment Agency has been known to remove trees overhanging a river; the land is probably Warwick District Council's. Network Rail, too, has been removing or cutting back trees on the embankment parallel to Princes Drive.

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

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Royal Leamington Spa is located at Grid Ref: SP3265 (Lat: 52.28996, Lng: -1.521275)

Administrative County: Warwickshire

District: Warwick

Police Authority: Warwickshire