We’re finding out with this guide about moving to Royal-Leamington-Spa. Officially known as Royal-Leamington-Spa, Leamington Spa is a charming town in the West Midlands. As a spa town, it holds a certain appeal and features period regency houses, a bustling centre and good transport connections. But what’s living in this part of Warwickshire really like?
A brief history of Royal-Leamington-Spa
Initially a small village known as Leamington Priors, Leamington Spa didn’t properly develop until the 19th century. As an old village, it was known for its bathhouses thanks to the popularisation of its water which was reputed to have medicinal qualities. New houses were constructed to keep up with demand, and Leamington Spa became a popular spa resort with families living in the newly-constructed Georgian homes in the town centre. Between 1851 and 1901, the population grew from 351 to 15,724.
Where is Royal-Leamington-Spa
Royal-Leamington Spa is located in Warwickshire in the West Midlands. It’s divided by the River Leam and is eight miles south of Coventry, 20 miles south-east of Birmingham and 81 miles north-west of London. The popular tourist town of Stratford-upon-Avon is also located nearby.
Moving to Royal-Leamington-Spa
There is a range of attractive period properties in Royal-Leamington Spa. The town is known for its striking Georgian architecture, as well as the popular regency townhouses found in the centre. There’s also an old town with in-demand regency cottages and a smattering of new-build properties.
Buying in Royal-Leamington-Spa
The average sold price in Royal-Leamington-Spa is £362,733, which is higher than the UK national average of £329,547. Expect to pay an average of £556,445 for a detached home, £338,764 for a terraced house and £244,622 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Royal-Leamington-Spa, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Royal-Leamington-Spa
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £950 per month in Royal-Leamington-Spa, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £1,150 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £1,300 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Royal-Leamington-Spa, you can expect to pay similar prices to the UK national average when it comes to everyday living. A meal for one person is around £15, while a cappuccino and a pint of milk cost about £2.75 and £0.80p respectively.
Utility bills are higher than the national average in Royal-Leamington-Spa, at around £277 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal (UK average £155). Broadband also matches the average at about £26 per month.
Living in Royal-Leamington-Spa
Open spaces
Living in Royal-Leamington Spa means you have easy access to the sprawling Warwickshire countryside. There are also plenty of parks in the town, including Victoria Park and the beautiful Jephson Gardens, which is located in the centre.
Transport links
The M40 is right next to Leamington Spa, giving motorists easy access to major cities like Birmingham, Oxford and London. Train services run to Birmingham and London (amongst others), taking 35 and 90 minutes respectively.
Shopping
Leamington Spa has a good selection of high-street favourites and independent boutiques. There’s everything from men’s and women’s fashion stores to jewellers and florists. The town centre is where you will find most of the shopping spots, such as Royal Priors Shopping Centre.
Eateries
Whether you fancy an European cuisine, or Japanese, there is an eclectic mix of eateries in the town.
Nightlife
Royal-Leamington Spa has a few venues if you’re looking for an entertaining night out.
Art & culture
If you’re looking to soak up the local culture, visit Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. It showcases art, local history and spa-resort culture in a historic spa-baths setting. The Slate Art Gallery is also worth a visit to admire local art.
Things to do
After spending some time at Jephson Gardens, head to the Leamington Library Royal Pump Rooms Parade; it’s a cultural centre famous for its spa baths that opened in Leamington between the late-18th and mid-19th centuries. Today, there’s a gallery and museum with regular exhibitions.
What’s not to like?
Spa towns aren’t for everyone, and it just about loses out for tourist appeal to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon.
Who lives there?
Royal-Leamington-Spa has a population of just 52,000 and a median age of 37.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 99mbps in Royal-Leamington-Spa, which is higher than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Royal-Leamington-Spa averages around 85 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Royal-Leamington-Spa
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Royal-Leamington-Spa. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: October 17th, 2022
