History of Warwick House

Dr. Henry Lilley-Smith (1787 - 1859), born in Southam, created the first self-supporting dispensary here which specialised in the treatment of diseases of the eyes and ears

The hospital, which was built on land owned by Dr Smith, contained about 14 beds and was supported by voluntary donations. The hospital treated about 12,220 patients during its first forty years, two thirds of whom were cured.

The Infirmary, which passed into the hands of trustees when Dr Smith died, continued for a few years but fell into financial difficulties and was forced to close in December 1872. Attempts were made to reinstate the hospital but financial constraints meant that none were successful.

In September 1889 a stone monument was presented to the Trustees to be placed at the site of the original Dispensary cottage with inscriptions detailing some of the charitable work Dr Smith encouraged including Allotments for Boys, the Maypole Holiday and the Dispensary itself.

There are few records of what the building was then used for but we have some sketchy details that regular dances were held during the 1930s and it was used as a community centre for the local residents.

It was finally turned into a guest house (Eastleigh Guest House) and then transformed into the Stoneythorpe Hotel in 1965 and has stayed so until 2010 when Fennes Estates Ltd purchased the property in January of that year.

The Tabor Group have been in the wedding industry for over 15 years, having 3 other venues in the group: The Fennes, Parklands Quendon Hall, both located in Essex, and Vasilias, a Cypriot company. All these wedding venues have been lovingly restored to the high standards that you would expect on your wedding day. The venues are all hired out on an exclusive-use basis for the brides and grooms wedding day, with your own dedicated wedding event manager to ensure the smooth running of your day. Hosting over 200 weddings a year at each venue, we are keen to be able to bring this magic into Southam and make dreams come true.

Warwick House will be a sumptuous venue in which to hold your wedding, decorated to a Regency styling with modern twists and offering luxury to both the Bride and Groom and their guests.