Leamington History Group has recently achieved Charity Registered Status. The group emerged in 1999 from the History at Bath Place Project, funded by the national lottery.
This was primarily a media and social community project, with volunteers working out of Bath Place Community Venture, in the same building as the 1859 National School in Bath Place.
The idea was to record and celebrate stories and local achievements or ordinary people of Leamington (or in many cases, it turns out, extraordinary Leamingtonians)! Based in the heart of the community, the group collected valuable photos and oral histories from the public, often saving them from the tip. These have been a great resource for future research about the town. And today, Leamington History Group, continues to preserve the history of the town, with generous donations to its archive, from people with Leamington connections.
In November 2005, the Leamington History Group, started on a more formal basis, with just 12 members; this included the late Alan Griffin and Frank James, and current committee members, Margaret Rushton (Secretary) and Terry Gardner (Founding Chair). After the devasting fire at Bath Place, in 2009, most of the collection was salvaged and the group had to move premises.
After 20 years, Leamington History Group is now a registered charity, with over 120 members and a full programme of talks, walks, research and publications. This is the legacy of History at Bath Place.
Our most recent publication is Enterprising Leamington which captures and celebrates stories of ordinary people who brought industry and innovation to the town. This is currently sale in Anthony Eden Barbers, Clarendon Street, Waterstones Leamington and Warwick Books.
Stella Bolitho, Chair of LHG said “The success of the group, is down to the enthusiasm and passion, of many, many volunteers, who want to learn and share more about Leamington’s diverse local history, in an informal social setting. Some members have been there from the start, and they are still researching and delving into the everyday history of the town, alongside newer members, today.
There is an excellent turn out at our weekly Leamington History Café, our monthly meetings, our guided walks and local history trips. Having Charity Status will enable the group to expand further and unearth further research. In the pipeline, we have several new projects including a new local history book tracing the development of the arts in Leamington, Creative Leamington Spa; our 6th Local History Film, Leamington at War, about Leamington during WW2 (TBA December 2025); and a new Digital Archive.”
Leamington Heritage Day Saturday 13th September 2025
We have an exciting lineup for our Leamington Heritage Day, at All Saints’ Church, on Saturday 13th September 2025, between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This is part of the National Heritage Open Days, which are free to the public, but we also have guided history walks around the town, and a new tour around Leamington Town Hall.
Around 25 local history groups and societies have signed up to showcase their latest local history research, events and activities. This year, we have displays from Leamington History Group, House Histories, the new Digital Archive, the Lillington History Society, the Warwickshire Industrial Archaeological Society (WIAS), the Ahmadiyya Muslim Society, the Warwickshire Gardens Trust, The Lights of Leamington, the Fusilier Museum, Friends of the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, the Leamington Society, the Warwickshire Photographers Collective, Warwickshire Local History Society (Warwickshire Local History Society), 200-Years of Leamington Police (1825-2025), the Leamington History Museum Kiosk, Trinity Catholic School, One World Link, All Saints’ Community Garden and Alderminster History. All Saints’ Church Tower will also be open to the public for tours.
Warwickshire College students have also participated, as part of their Visual & Communications course, by designing this year’s Heritage Day Poster. On the day, we will also be selling our 2026 Calendars of Old Leamington, Second-hand books about the history of Leamington, and our latest local history publications, including Enterprising Leamington.
Heritage Tours: Leamington Town Hall
Many people will be aware of the renovations taking place in the Town Hall, and in partnership with the Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, and WDC, we are able to offer an opportunity for a guided tour of the building, between 15th to 19th September 2025.
Heritage Walks
Paula Fletcher has organised an excellent programme for the Leamington History Group Walks, with over ten different history-themed walks, let by our Guild of Guide Volunteers. They take both visitors and residents around Leamington, sharing their passion for Leamington Spa, and all its history. During Heritage Open Days, the following walks are available, bookable on Eventbrite: Leamington Places and People; and Christchurch Gardens.
1. Contributed
Enterprising Leamington Book Photo: Submitted
2. Contributed
Bath Place National School, 1859 Photo: Submitted
3. Contributed
Leamington Town Hall, 1884. Photo: Submitted
4. Contributed
Leamington Heritage Day, Saturday 13th September 2025. Photo: Submitted