History of The Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa
Standing on the sixth saline well discovered in Leamington, the Royal Pump Rooms, designed and built by C S Smith, first opened to the public in July 1814. It was extended soon after opening to cope with demand & was not fully complete until 1816.
Extensive alterations were carried out in 1861, including the replacement of the original roof. A tower was added to the north-east corner in 1885-6. This was removed in 1950.
The adjacent Pump Room Gardens were originally intended for use exclusively by the patrons of the baths, only opening to the public in 1875.
1889 saw the addition of the public Swimming Baths, which remained in use until 1989.
The Royal Pump Rooms & Swimming Baths were renovated & converted in the 1990’s, & are now used as Leamington’s Library, Museum, Art Gallery & Tourist Information Centre. The assembly rooms were also refurbished & a new café built. The building as it now stands, re-opened to the public in 1999.