What’s in a name? By any other name Royal Leamington Spa would smell as sweet. But the once-called Leamington Priors—and recently crowned happiest place in the West Midlands—has mroe than earned its regal status. Like Bath, the city it’s often compared to, the popularity of its spas and ‘medicinal’ springs in the 18th century grew this village into a bustling and beautiful town.
With newfound wealth, beautiful architecture popped up everywhere in the Georgian and Regency periods, much of which is still standing today—this includes the Royal Pump Rooms, which opened in 1814 to cope with an ever-growing number of visitors. In 1838, a freshly crowned Queen Victoria (who’d previously visited as a child) granted Leamington Spa its ‘Royal’ name.
Visiting Royal Leamington Spa today
Winsto Photography, Shutterstock
While the popularity of spas in Leamington has quietened in recent years, you’ll still find plenty knocking about town—including one at Mallory Court, which was recently crowned the ‘Best Hotel in England’ (and probably the number one spot to stay at, just on the outskirts of Royal Leamington Spa).
Today, the Royal Pump Rooms now house the local library, museum and art gallery, all of which you can visit for free. A stone’s throw away from the Grade II listed building, the Jephson Gardens (the place to ‘be’ back in the Victorian era) are just as gorgeous now as they were 200 years ago—don’t miss a visit to the tropical plants in The Glasshouse.
Need a little more excitement? Turn your hand to kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding on the Leam, thanks to Leam Boat Centre. Then, with your feet back on dry land, grab a bagel from The Steamhouse, a flat white from Spa Town Coffee, or a pint from the Fizzy Moon, and spend the rest of the day shopping at specialist boutiques and major high-street stores. Finally, grab a fancy dinner at the Michelin Guide-approved The Warwick.
If you time it right, you’ll also find a handful of annual events, including Art In The Park in August, Leamington Food & Drink Festival in September, and Leamington Lantern Parade in December. The Covent Garden Quarter Markets—for creators, makers, designers, and bakers—are also the last Sunday of the month, from January to September.
How do I get there?
Royal Leamington Spa is only 30 to 50 minutes from Birmingham. You can take a direct train from Birmingham New Street to Leamington Spa, which takes no more than 34 minutes. Prefer driving? Follow the M42 and M40 to Warwick By-Pass, and take the exit onto Europa Way, which will lead to Royal Leamington Spa.
