Royal Leamington Spa Introduction
Straddling the River Leam and wrapped by the green and leafy Warwickshire countryside, Royal Leamington Spa was once a fashionable wellness resort for the movers and shakers of the 19th century. While the Regency architecture, prim parks and broad boulevards of its glory days remain, today the town's better known for its 21st-century offerings – from fashionable shops and top-notch restaurants to a relaxed cafe culture and vibrant nightlife.
Hotels in Royal Leamington Spa
You'll find a good handful of hotels in Royal Leamington Spa and the surrounding area, with the more ideal digs dotted around the town centre. Here, they range from stylish serviced apartments, complete with kitchens and living areas, to a full-service chain name establishment housed within one of the town's grandest regency buildings. For a more personal touch, there's also a small selection of guesthouses and B&Bs in town, offering complimentary breakfasts and free WiFi. If you fancy something with a greater architectural heritage and a bit more character, the nearby town of Warwick offers plenty of options.
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Where to stay
Opting for a hotel in Royal Leamington Spa's town centre is a no-brainer for most visitors. Compact, walkable and easy on the eyes with its white Regency architecture, the town is packed with places to shop, eat and drink. Much of the action is centred on the Parade, Leamington's main thoroughfare, where you'll find the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, and, slightly further down, Regent Court – a shiny modern hub where you can grab a meal, a coffee or a cocktail. Come evening, particularly at the weekends, the town centre is where the action is, with its huge array of pubs, bars and nightclubs.
Things to see
The pillared Royal Pump Rooms were once the epicentre of the town's spa facilities. Today the 19th-century bath house is home to the Leamington Spa Art Gallery, which features a trove of paintings, sculptures and glass pieces, as well as an original hammam. Just across the road, you'll find Jephson Gardens. Once a fashionable hangout for well-to-do spa breakers, today it's a picturesque spot to unwind, with its manicured lawns, formal flowerbeds and trickling fountains. For those seeking some retail therapy, the Royal Priors Shopping Centre is the place to splurge. Housed under a large glass atrium, the bright and airy shopping centre boasts a who's who of big brand shops. For history buffs, a trip to Warwick Castle is a must. Just a 15-minute drive from Leamington, the beautifully intact castle's history is bought to life with restored interiors, waxworks and regular jousting and trebuchet displays.
How to get to Royal Leamington Spa
Situated just 5 miles from junctions 13 and 14 of the M40, Leamington Spa is especially convenient if you plan to drive there. It's also well connected to the rest of the UK by rail, with services to and from London Marylebone taking around an hour and 15 minutes. When you're in Warwickshire, travel in Royal Leamington Spa and to neighbouring towns is a breeze, thanks to regular and well-linked bus routes. While the town itself is easy to navigate by foot, services head up and down the Parade every few minutes, making shopping trips that bit speedier.
