46 Top Things To Do In Leamington Spa
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, whether you’re there on holiday or on a work visit, this is the definitive list of the 46 things you must check out in Leamington Spa.
It's a 2-part blog, you are reading the 1st part, which contains 18 recommendations. To read the 2nd part of this blog, click here.
Incredible Regency architecture, lush green parks and gardens, and an ensemble of eclectic attractions are what make Leamington Spa an absolute delight for everyone, tourists and locals alike.
Here’s our insider guide to the top 18 things to do in and around Leamington Spa.
Parks and gardens in Leamington Spa
Fancy going on a walk?
Or, craving a bit of peace and quiet, among the flowers and trees, and the birds and the bees (as in actual birds and bees, not the wink-wink stuff)?
Then, you’re going to love Leamington Spa.
Jephson Park
Right in the middle of Leamington Spa, on the Parade (one of Leamington Spa’s most important streets and the main shopping hub), Jephson Park was voted the best park in Britain in 2004.
Home to a delightfully extensive range of trees, the park is eminently suitable for a game of Name that tree.
A key attraction in the park is the sub-tropical glasshouse housing a large number of exotic plants. It’s nice and warm and a good shelter for anyone looking to escape a chill.
It also includes a boating lake, a cafe, and a teaching studio.
Who is it named after?
The park is named after Dr Henry Jephson. We will come back to Dr Jephson later on.
The Czech Memorial Fountain
Jephson Park is also known for this memorial to the Czech Free Army, the armed forces of the Provisional Government of Czechoslovakia, which was formed in 1939 in opposition to the Axis Powers’ occupation of Czechoslovakia.
Britain was one of the first countries to recognize it as the official government of Czechoslovakia.
Website: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20312/jephson_gardens
Address: Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Every day of the week, 8am to dusk (exact closing time depends on the time of the year).
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
It’s a short drive/10 minute drive from Leamington Spa railway station via the B4087 and Newbold Terrace, across River Leam.
Foundry Wood
What activity comes to mind if you think of ‘wood’ (once again, ‘wood’ as in a stretch of natural land, with some tree cover, not the wink-wink stuff)?
- A walk through the woods.
- Birdwatching, listening for animal sounds, feeding squirrels.
- Other things like forestry sessions, ecotherapy, carpentry classes.
- If you’re an Inspector Morse fan, a sudden yearning to watch The Way Through The Woods (Season 8, Episode 1)
Would you ever think of...wait for it...pizza-making?
Intrigued? Interested?
Then you must check out the monthly pizza-making classes at Foundry Wood.
They do it in a wood fired pizza oven.
Website: http://www.foundrywood.co.uk/
Address: 66 Princes Dr, Leamington Spa CV32 6AF, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Every day of the week, 10am to 5pm. Exact opening and closing times vary.
Entry: Free (if you want to make your own pizza, it’s £5 per pizza; check out the website for other activities).
How you can get there
Foundry Wood is also a short drive/10 minute walk from Leamington Spa railway station, via National Cycle Route 41, towards the roundabout, from where you can switch to Princes Drive (where Foundry Wood is).
Victoria Park
Are you a fan of bowling?
If you are, you may want to check out Victoria Park.
Its bowling greens are regarded as among the best in the country.
Apart from that it’s got tennis courts, a children’s play area, a paddling pool, a skate park, and a cafe.
Website: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20311/major_parks/504/victoria_park
Address: Leamington Spa CV31 3PH, United Kingdom.
Open hours: 24 x 7.
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
You can walk there from the station via Lower Avenue and Avenue Road - a 10 to 15 minute walk.
You can drive via the same route to the roundabout near Buckland House, and then walk up Avenue Road/A452 till you find an entrance.
Ufton Fields Nature Reserve
From scrubland to woodland to wetland, it’s all there at Ufton Fields, waiting for you.
The paths are wheelchair accessible, and dogs are allowed.
Among the wildlife that can be found here are many kinds of birds, rabbits, squirrels, and foxes.
Especially prominent is the variety of water life - the reserve used to be a mining site in the 1950’s, leading to a number of mining pits being dug, which gradually filled with water after the mines closed, and became host to a huge variety of wetland life.
Activities in Ufton Fields Nature Reserve
The Green and Healthy Ufton project conducts a number of events at the Nature Reserve on topics like
- Conservation
- Geology
- Guided walks, family evenings, and so on
You should consult their website to see if they have something planned coinciding with when you’ll be in Leamington Spa.
Website: https://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/UftonFields
Address: Ufton Fields, Leamington Spa CV33 9NY, United Kingdom.
Open hours: It’s open 24 x 7.
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
The best way would be to take the line 63 bus from the Court Street bus stop in Leamington Spa to the Bus Shelter stop in Ufton.
From Leamington Spa train station to the Court Stop bus stop it’s a 5 minute walk.
Activities in Leamington Spa
Want to try out your hand at some activities - indoor or outdoor?
You’ll be spoilt for choice.
Experimental Escape
Leamington Spa’s premier escape room is a must-visit for anyone aspiring to put their problem-solving capacity, communication skills, and team spirit to the test.
With 2 exciting missions to choose from - and with the region’s only versus escape room - it’s a sure bet for anyone, whether you’re a couple or a large group.
If you’re part of a group on a work tour, you can hold a team building or a team bonding session with us.
Website: https://experimental-escape.co.uk/
Address: 69 Warwick St, Leamington Spa CV32 4RQ, United Kingdom.
Open hours: All week, 10am to 10pm.
Entry:
- 18 and above Players -
- £24 per person for a group of 2.
- £20 per person for groups of 3 or more.
- 17 and under Players - £18 per person.
How you can get there
Take the bus from Parish Church Stand B to Upper Parade (Stand F), which is near Experimental Escape. Parish Church Stand B is a 5-10 minute walk from the railway station.
Or, you can walk the A425, and Lower Avenue to reach Parade/B4087, and follow the latter, across River Leam, and past Jephson Park/Royal Pump Room Garden - a 20 minute walk.
Quarry Park Disc Golf
Looking forward to teeing off on the vast greens, and slowly conquering one hole after another?
Well...you can do that somewhere else.
At Leamington Spa’s Quarry Park, you can take part in games of disc golf.
What is disc golf?
Well, in traditional golf, you try to hit balls into holes, right?
In disc golf, you use frisbee discs in place of golf balls. The aim is to get a frisbee disc into a basket (the disc gold equivalent of holes) in as few throws as possible.
Other rules are similar to traditional golf.
Website: http://www.quarrypark.co.uk/
Address: Old Milverton Ln, Leamington Spa CV32 6RW, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm; By prior appointment the rest of the week.
Entry:
- Short course - Adults £5, Children £3.50.
- Regular course - Adults £7, Children £5.
How you can get there
It’s a 10 minute drive from Leamington Spa Railway Station, via the B4087, and Kenilworth Road.
Alternatively, you can take the bus from the Railway Station stop to Blackdown Crossroads.
Leam Boat Centre
Looking for a bit of rowing down the river while on your day out in Leamington Spa?
Want to try out your hand at kayaking? Canoeing? Stand up paddle boarding?
Then you should head to Mill Road, where the Leam Boat Centre is located.
Whether you want to hire a boat for yourself, go for some training, or have a raft building challenge within your group, they’re the ones to get in touch with.
Website: https://www.leamboatcentre.com/
Address: Mill Rd, Royal Leamington Spa, Leamington Spa CV31 1BH, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Tuesday through to Saturday, 10am to 5pm; Sunday and Monday closed.
Entry: Entry is free. For rental and delivery fees, please consult their website.
How you can get there
Take the bus from Railway Station to Parish Church Stand A, and then follow Priory Terrace and Mill Road - a 10 minute journey overall.
Or, you can just walk through High Street and Church Street, which will take you to Priory Terrace, and you know the rest - a 10 -15 minute walk.
Churches in Leamington Spa
A trip to Leamington Spa would be incomplete without a visit to a church.
All Saints’ Church
A place of worship of some kind has existed in the area now called Royal Leamington Spa for almost a thousand years.
However, the current church started being built in 1843.
A Leamington Spa favourite, must-check outs at the Church are its Sunday Eucharist ceremonies, and its cafe.
Website: http://www.allsaintschurchleamington.org.uk/
Address: Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa CV31 1AA, United Kingdom.
Open hours: The Church is open on Sundays, and on Wednesdays through to Saturdays (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays). They’re open between 10:30am and 1pm, although the exact opening and closing times depend on the day.
Entry: Entry is free.
How you can get there
It’s just across the river from Jephson Park.
From the Railway Station, walk through High Street, and then up Church Street - a 10 minute walk.
St Peter’s Apostle Catholic Church
Having been inside a Church of England church (All Saints’ Day), wouldn’t it be better to even things out with a Catholic church visit?
A 2 minute walk from the Royal Pump Rooms Garden, the St Peter’s Apostle Church should be on your Leamington Spa itinerary, then.
With daily mass, architectural masterpieces (including an exceptional Calvary statue of Jesus Christ), and a brilliant choir, there’s not a lot in this church that can be missed on a trip through Leamington Spa.
Website: https://warwick-catholicdeanery.org.uk/st-peter-apostle/
Address: 3A Dormer Pl, Leamington Spa CV32 5AA, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Every day of the week, 9am to 5pm.
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
It’s across the road from the Royal Pump Room Gardens.
From the Railway Station, it’s a 15 minute walk via High Street, Bath Street/Parade, and then Dormer Pl.
Museums and art galleries in Leamington Spa
A trip through Leamington Spa would remain incomplete without a visit to its art galleries and museums, which feature elements and restorations of local history, extensive exhibitions of works of fine art, and frequent activities (for children and adults).
Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum
Located in the former Royal Pump Rooms, the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum includes
- The Main Art Gallery featuring artworks including paintings, ceramics, sculpture and glass. The collection is changed every 2 years.
- Haddie’s Gallery which is a children’s historical gallery. Haddie was one of the elephants of Samuel Lockhart. Who’s Samuel Lockhart? We shall come to him in a few minutes.
- Local History Gallery which showcases the transition of Royal Leamington Spa from its earliest years to the modern town you see today.
- A Temporary Exhibitions Gallery which...as you may have guessed...houses short term exhibitions of contemporary and historic visual arts and local history.
What are the Royal Pump Rooms?
Leamington Spa get’s the ‘spa’ in its name from the mineral springs - whose water had healing properties - located near the town, as we shall see later.
As word of these springs spread, and people started trekking to the town to bathe in their waters, the New Pump Rooms and Baths were opened in 1816. These would later become the Royal Pump Rooms upon the grant of the royal patronage.
The main swimming hall was redeveloped as the public library you see today, while the small swimming hall and the Turkish baths were converted into the Museum and Art Gallery.
You may be able to see some of the medical equipment used when the buildings were used as a bath in the Local History Gallery.
Website: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms/info/2/leamington_spa_art_gallery_and_museum
Address: Leamington Library Royal Pump Rooms Parade, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Tuesday through to Sunday, 10am to 4pm; Monday closed.
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
It’s a 10 minute walk from the Railway Station, via High Street and Bath Street, across the river.
Eclectic attractions in Leamington Spa
From butchers with a Royal warrant to a walking trail with a history, Leamington Spa has its share of attractions, each with its own distinctive flavour, that can’t be pigeonholed into any one category.
Aubrey Allen
Set up as a butcher’s decades ago by a Mr Aubrey Allen, Aubrey Allen has since transformed itself into a nationally known name in the meat, poultry and cheese supply business.
In 2013, they received a royal warrant, making them an official supplier of meat and poultry to the Royal Family.
They even have an Aubrey Allen Academy where interested parties can learn about the meat industry, the systems and processes behind a meat and poultry business, and some aspects of preparing meat dishes.
Finally, they have a French bistro in Leamington Spa, which is near the main shopping area of Leamington Spa, making it an easy dash for tourists...or anyone on a shopping spree.
Website: https://aubreyallen.co.uk/
Address: 108 Warwick St, Leamington Spa CV32 4QP, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Monday through to Saturday, 8:30am - 6pm; closed on Sundays.
Entry: Free (for the shop; you need to register for classes at their academy).
How you can get there
From the Railway Station, follow the High Street and Bath Street to cross the river, and then follow Parade/B4087 till you get to the Warwick Street crossroad; and there, turn right.
It’s a 5 minute drive/20 minute walk.
Elephant Trail
The legends say that hundreds of thousands years ago, wild elephants roamed the area that is now Leamington Spa...and it is from those magnificent beasts that the Elephant Trail got its name.
And, yes, I made that up.
For the real story, we need to go back to the late 1890’s - early 1900’s period when Samuel Lockhart, a former circus performer, acquired elephants and started to train them to perform in the circus.
He met with considerable success, even getting several chances to perform in front of Queen Victoria.
Fine, but what’s the relevance of the Elephant Trail?
Mr Lockhart used to take his elephants down to River Leam to wash and water following a particular sloping walkway.
If this part of Leamington Spa history fascinates you, you would probably find the book Elephants in Royal Leamington Spa
Queen Victoria Statue
Built in 1902, the Queen remained standing, defiant, through a spell of Nazi bombing in World War II.
Located in front of a town hall, the statue should be on your list of selfie spots.
Address: 3 Regent Grove, Leamington Spa CV32 5AA, United Kingdom.
How you can get there
It’s a short drive/10 minute walk via Parade/B4087, the second major right turn (after Hamilton Terrace) after the roundabout.
The War Memorial
Bearing the names of over six hundred people who lost their lives at the front in the World Wars, defending the ideals of freedom we all take for granted today, the War Memorial in Leamington Spa is a powerful reminder of their sacrifice.
It’s less than 5 minutes’ walk from the Royal Pump Rooms; ditto from Jephson Park.
Address: Leamington Spa CV32 4LL, United Kingdom.
How you can get there
It’s a short drive/10 minute walk via Parade/B4087, right ahead of the roundabout.
Spas
Are you looking for a spot of grooming or pampering on your Leamington Spa trip?
If you are, you’re in luck.
Leamington Spa has more than its share of spas and salons, like Elan Spa, Mallory Court and The Spa Leamington.
How did Leamington Spa get the ‘spa’ in its name?
Leamington Spa is what’s known as a spa town, which means it’s a town located near a mineral spring/springs.
It used to be called Leamington Priors, with reference to the River Leam which flows through the town.
The healing properties of the nearby mineral springs had been known since Roman times; but they became popular (and commercialized) only around the 1800’s.
Remember the name Dr Henry Jephson (after whom Jephson Park is named)?
He’s the one who widely promoted the health benefits of the spas (mineral springs).
Leamington Priors became Leamington Spa in 1838, the same year the town was granted a royal prefix.
Food and drink in Leamington Spa
If all this wandering around Leamington Spa finds you searching for nourishment, there’s a wide array of choices for you to choose from.
House Leamington
If you enter House Leamington, you get a choice, not only of food and drink, but also of the kind of setting you want to be in. You can go for
The Music Room where there’s a dance floor, and a wide range of music for you to choose from.
The Parlour with squishy armchairs and the typical lazy feel.
The Secret Room...well, maybe not that secret since now you know about it. This one is mainly for private events and parties.
The Loft Garden, which is upstairs, and features actual greenery all around, and even hanging from the ceiling!
If you’re there on a Sunday, make sure you ask about the Sunday Roast.
Website: https://www.houseleamington.co.uk/
Address: 130 Parade, Leamington Spa CV32 4AG, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Sunday, 12pm to 10pm. Monday, 4pm to 10pm. Tuesday through Thursday, 4pm to 12am. Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 1am.
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
It’s on Parade/B4087, just ahead of the Regent Grove turn - a 10 minute walk from the Railway Station.
The Drawing Board
Apparently, the people who started this place discussed a lot of ideas for the decor...but didn’t like any of the ones they came up with initially.
So, they went back to the drawing board, and had the idea of creating a mishmash of modern-styled tables, leather sofas, and comic books and gaming consoles of the years gone by.
In 2019, they were awarded the ‘Best for Beer’ title at The Great British Pub Awards.
It’s a one minute walk from Jephson Garden, by the way, if that helps you plan your itinerary for your Leamington Spa day out.
Website: http://thedrawingboard.pub/
Address: 18 Newbold St, Leamington Spa CV32 4HN, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Sunday, 12pm to 10:30pm. Monday through to Saturday, 11am to 11pm..
Entry: Free.
How you can get there
It’s a 15 minute walk from the Railway Station via Bath Street and Parade, and then Hamilton Street and Rosefield Street.
Spa Town Coffee
If it’s just steamy, creamy coffee, gluten free food options, and coffee beans for your filter that you’re looking for, it’s Spa Town Coffee you should visit.
From cold drinks to hot chocolate, from cakes to coffee, green tea, and a takeaway bag of coffee beans for your coffee filter, you can find it all at Spa Town Coffee.
It’s just up the street from Aubrey Allen.
Website: https://www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk/spa-town-coffee/. Email - spatowncoffee@gmail.com.
Address: 94 Warwick St, Leamington Spa CV32 4QG, United Kingdom.
Open hours: Sunday, 9:30am to 5pm. Monday through to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm.
How you can get there
From the Railway Station, follow the High Street and Bath Street to cross the river, and then follow Parade/B4087 till you get to the Warwick Street crossroad; and there, turn right.
It’s just ahead of Aubrey Allen, and opposite Experimental Escape.
It’s a 5 minute drive/20 minute walk.
And that concludes our list of the top 18 things to do in Leamington Spa.
Do you agree with this list? Or do you seek more adventure?
Do you think there are other things to do in Leamington Spa that should have made it here, but didn’t?
Make sure to tell us in a comment below!
