Things to enjoy
- Glasshouse - interesting tropical plants and goldfish pond;
- The Aviary Café – beautifully restored Victorian tea pavilion;
- The Restaurant in the Park – lunches, dinners and functions;
- Boating on the River Leam – from Leam Boat Centre, Mill Gardens;
- South Lodge - history display showing the Gardens in times past;
- Flowers - beautiful floral displays from spring to autumn and mixed borders for year round colour;
- Trees – fine collection of beautiful and unusual specimens;
- Sensory garden – plants to touch and smell;
- Memorials to notable past citizens of Leamington;
- Feed the ducks on the lake;
- Play area in Mill Gardens. Ship theme and sand play. Field for ball games;
- Events in Jephson Gardens.
Other facilities:
- Ranger service
- Toilets, disabled toilets and baby change.
- All areas are accessible by wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Sorry, but…
- Dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead in Jephson Gardens. Dogs are not allowed in Mill Gardens play area;
- No cycling in the Gardens.
History
First laid out in 1831 as informal riverside walks along the River Leam, the original Newbold Gardens were developed into formal pleasure grounds after 1846 in honour of Dr Henry Jephson, who had promoted the town as a spa. Jephson Gardens gained renown for its band concerts, archery and tennis, illuminations, trees and flowers. It is listed as Grade II on the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens.
Originally the settling beds for the town’s water supply, Mill Gardens was created as part of improvements to the River Leam in 1901-03, which created one riverside landscape. Mill Bridge and the boat house were also constructed at this time.
Like many parks, Jephson Gardens fell into slow decline after World War II. It was restored by Warwick District Council in the early 2000s thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of over £3 million. The Victorian gardens are now complemented by a modern Glasshouse and restaurant.
How to get there
- Bike – bike racks on Newbold Terrace and outside East Lodge;
- Bus – most services stop at the Lower Parade or the Parish Church. More on buses to parks;
- Rail – 10-minutes from Leamington Spa station via Pump Room Gardens;
- Car and motorcycle – On-street pay and display parking and disabled parking in Newbold Terrace and Newbold Street. Other nearby car parking includes St Peters and Rosefield Street car parks.
Nearby
- Royal Pump Rooms – award winning art gallery and museum, tourist information, café, public library, events and functions;
- Old Town trail, self-guided walk from the Royal Pump Rooms;
- Events in Leamington Town Centre - See Royal Leamington Spa
- Churches – All Saints and St Peter’s, two magnificent Victorian interiors;
- Regency town centre – shopping, pubs, restaurants;
- Guided walks by the knowledgeable Leamington Guild of Guides;
- Riverside Walk, upstream to Newbold Comyn Park, downstream to Victoria Park and Warwick
Map
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