Royal Leamington Spa, once a small village called Leamington Priors, drew attention for the healing properties of its water during the 18th Century. During the 19th century, the town experienced one of the most rapid expansions in England and is named after the River Leam which flows through the town. In 1938 Queen Victoria granted the town a ‘Royal’ prefix and Leamington Priors became Royal Leamington Spa.