The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 reformed 178 existing boroughs.
It also allowed for further towns to submit petitions for the grant of a charter of incorporation as a municipal borough.
In the following years a further seven unreformed boroughs were incorporated and 38 other towns became municipalities.
Most of the newly incorporated towns were rapidly growing industrial centres.
A number of coastal resorts were created boroughs, reflecting the growth of seaside tourism, and in 1875 Leamington Spa became the first inland spa resort to gain incorporation.