The Knowhere Guide

Other Stuff in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire*

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Stuff You Don't Get Anywhere Else

The Stuff We Can't Fit In Somewhere Else

• Leamington - and several of the town's neighbouring villages and towns are mentioned in a number of Oscar Wilde's plays - most notably The Importance of Being Earnest. "Death in Leamington" by Betjeman. It's "Aleister" Crowley, numbskulls! (As featured on the cover of "Sgt Pepper's") The guy referred to as John Lennon's best friend from college is John Hague. When I was a kid, he and his family had a lovely home overlooking Whitnash Golf Course. To their great credit, he and his wife would permit urchins such as myself to run riot around their property, collecting conkers from their horse chestnut trees every Autumn. They had loads of kids. I remember their son, Jasper, and a tiny little girl called Sadie. The adult Hagues had painted the hallway with largescale reproductions of Roger Hargreave's "Mr Men" - aaah! Soon after they sold it, the house burned to the ground. Pity
• Leamington has some interesting grafitti of late. "John Craven", "God gave us life, he also gave us Loinel Blair", "I Hate Nerys Hughes", "Wogs in", "Avoid Cider" and curiously "4:09am" are all new additions.
• cant miss the spots is only a one horse town
• Hi folks, I'm one of the voluntary wardens for the Leam Valley Local Nature Reserve. This stretches from Welches meadow almost to Radford Semele. Warwick District Council need your views on a wetland creation proposal to enhance the wildlife in the valley. There's an excellent display in Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre foyer. Have a look. Let them know your ideas. Many thanks, Bill Jackson
• in the regent hotel - now being demolished - was a picture of the real tennis club in leamington saying it was the first in the world. actually it was the marylebone cricket club, yes, that great place of cricket, that was the first. an annual match is played still every year between the two clubs. the m.c.c. has several courts and is very popular. also, there is a lot played in philidelphia, u.s.a., the old home of 19th century brits. and where there is still some cricket played. prince edward - windsor that is!! - produced a good video on real tennis about five years ago. if not into the harder rigors of squash, it is a great game offering many skilled challenges. take it up - excellent in every way.
• You can't walk down the Parade without some freakoid leaping out from the shadows and claiming he's Jesus or something. Most amusing, but at the same time a little frightening.
• NB:There is in fact little or no REGENCY architecture in L/Spa, it is almost all Victorian. Mind you if Mrs Bucket (location shots in suburbs of L/Spa) has anything to do with it,she'd have us all calling it Georgian!
• The Loft Theatre is an amateur company with a professional reputation. They do a good mix of commercial theatre and small-scale experimental stuff.
• To stay: Travelodge at M40 junction. Cheap (c. 35 quid/night) The Royal, top of town has some real special deals going for weekends. Bit run down, but good location, and breakfast is good. (Actually, may not be any more. The chef, Tom, died recently....) Argue, and you can get a weekend night for about 30 quid. (It's supposed to be 60 for a weekend). Avoid the Regent.
• Shops: Rackhams is the main department store. Got everything, even your credit limit...

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Last updated: 2007-12-10