The happiest place in Britain? 9 reasons to love Leamington Spa
Having lived in Royal Leamington Spa my whole life, I wasn’t surprised at all when it was named ‘the happiest place in Britain‘.
Leamington Spa, known as ‘Leam’ to locals, is tiny but mighty, with a regal reputation to match that of the capital.
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Street names such as Oxford Street, Regent Street and Warwick Street all make an appearance in the centre, and there’s even a car park named after Covent Garden.
No surprise really, considering Leam is sometimes known as ‘Little London’ to locals.
With a great selection of railway links, being only half-an-hour from Birmingham and one hour and 10 minutes direct from London Marylebone, the spa town in is well worth a little visit on your day off.
But is it really the happiest place in Britain?
Us Leamingtonians would like to think so.
Here are 9 reasons to jump on a train to discover why everyone just loves Leam.
Jephson Gardens is a beautiful Victorian park right in the heart of the town.
Formal gardens created in 1834, the park contains 140 species of trees and hundreds of bright and colourful flowerbeds, not to mention numerous fountains and sculptures dotted in corners.
It’s no wonder us locals love it so much.
It looks especially stunning in spring and summer.
In the centre, just in front of the clock tower, is the Aviary Cafe, which used to be home to birds before being converted about 20 years ago.
Nearby, greenhouse The Glasshouse contains hundreds of sub-tropical plants, including bananas, mangoes and pink powder puff, as well as a goldfish pond.
The River Leam flows straight through the park, and all year round canoes, pedalos, and kayaks can be hired from Leam Boat centre.
From there you can travel down the canal, where Warwick Castle awaits.
2. The unamused Queen Victoria statue
Ever wondered why Leamington has a Royal prefix?
Well, Queen Victoria herself was a fan and awarded the town its royal status, after visiting a few times in the 1800s.
If you pop to the town hall on the Parade, you’ll find a statue of the Queen standing outside in a very unamused state indeed.
The monument is said to have moved an inch off the plinth in 1940, when a German bomb was dropped nearby.
Guess she really was made of stone after all?
3. The Royal Pump Rooms
What put the Spa in Leamington Spa, I hear you say?
Opening in the 18th century as a spa bath, The Royal Pump Rooms quickly became one of the most popular in Europe, with people travelling from miles to use the town’s mineral-rich ‘healing waters’.
No longer active today due to dwindling interest, the Pump Rooms have been now been converted into an art gallery and museum.
All that remains is a drinking fountain outside, which passersby can use to taste the waters that once were.
Make sure you bring a bottle.
4. The windmill on the hill
The Chesterton Windmill is one of Warwickshire’s most famous landmarks.
Built about 1632, the structure attracts hundreds of visitors from the surrounding area in the summer and autumn, when it opens to the public on select weekends.
With breathtaking views and beautiful scenery, it’s no wonder the location is a favourite for walks, picnics and the odd wedding photo.
Just don’t forget your camera, but if you do I guess you’ll just have an excuse to go back?
5. The never-ending Parade that loves parades
The Parade is home to hundreds of stores, restaurants and cafes, with shopping centre Royal Priors at the very heart.
There’s also a few real parades now and then, such as the Carnival or Lantern festival, as well as an annual festive market in the run-up to Christmas.
There’s also a range of quirky shops such as Planet Bong, which is probably one of the strangest shops in the universe.
6. Food, glorious food (and more food)
Given Leamington is so tiny, you’d expect there to be a limited number of places to eat, but that’s definitely not the case.
Aside from the usual high-street chains, you’d also find independent places like Thai restaurant Sabai Sabai, Turkish dining room Elma and an Mediterranean gem that appears to be incredibly popular. I’m guessing that’s why I’ve yet to get a table, but La Copolla Ristorante on Regent Street is a must.
There’s also a range of renowned cafes, such as Coffee Architects, which has queues down the street every weekend, meaning you’d have to get there well before 9am to have a chance of getting in for one of their famous brunches.
But trust me, it’s worth it.
7. The unusual nightlife
From out of town, the word ‘smack’, probably means the action of hitting someone with your hand, but in Leamington it just means your local nightclub. Thankfully.
Monochrome and eclectic, Smack has queues down the road on student nights.
About 90% of those who have ever been, have most likely had the picture against the iconic height board as their profile picture on Facebook.
If you fancy playing video games mid-evening, then The Duke is a great British pub on Warwick Street that lets you do just that in a booth.
If you’d much rather stay away from crowds of students, then Altoria across the road is your best bet.
8. The grand history and architecture
Leam is well known for having hundreds of Regency buildings, including Lansdowne Crescent, which is so pearly white it almost demands to be looked at.
Sir Frank Whittle used to be a Leamington lad – before inventing the jet engine that is.
Bet you didn’t know Leamington is also the birthplace of the first ever British Lawn tennis club, founded in 1872?
9. There used to be elephants
Ever heard of the elephants of Leamington Spa? Actual elephants.
In 1880, local circus trainer Sam Lockhart brought three elephants back from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and taught them tricks.
Known as The Three Graces they used to bathe down a slipway by the Mill Road footbridge, known as Elephant Wash.
You can also spot the bronze sculptures of the The Three Graces if you walk through the Regent Court shopping centre.
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