Devizes is a market town and civil parish in the centre of Wiltshire. It has nearly 500 listed buildings, some notable churches, a town hall and a green in the centre of the town.

Understand

History

Market Square

The town developed around Devizes Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle, and received a charter in 1141 permitting regular markets, which are held weekly in an open market place. The castle was besieged during the Anarchy, a 12th-century civil war between Stephen of England and Empress Matilda, and again during the English Civil War when the Cavaliers (Royalists) lifted the siege during the Battle of Roundway Down. Devizes remained under Royalist control until 1645, when Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced the Royalists to surrender. The castle was destroyed in 1648 on the orders of Parliament, and today little remains of it.

From the 16th century Devizes became known for its textiles, and by the early 18th century it held the largest corn market in the West Country, constructing the Corn Exchange in 1857. In the 18th century, brewing, curing of tobacco, and snuff-making were established. The Wadworth Brewery was founded in the town in 1875.

Visitor information

• Devizes visitor information website

Get in

Detailed information about public transport is available from the town website.

The town is about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) southeast of Chippenham and 11 miles (18 km) east-north-east of the county town of Trowbridge.

By bus

Every Easter, hundreds of canoeists set off from Devizes Wharf heading for the Thames at Westminster in the annual Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.

• The Trans-Wiltshire Express (no.49) from Swindon via Avebury to Trowbridge
• From Bath via Melksham on the X272
• From Pewsey using the Connect 2 Wiltshire Service

By train

The nearest stations are Swindon, Chippenham and Pewsey.

By car

From London

Leave the M4 at Junction 15; take the A346 to Marlborough, then the A4 and the A361 to Devizes.

From Bristol via the M4

Leave the M4 at Junction 16 and take the A3102 and then A342 to Devizes via Calne.

From the South-East

Follow the M3 to Junction 8 and take the A303 and A342 via Ludgershall.

From the South

Follow the A350 to Semington and then the A361 to Devizes.

See

• 1 Wiltshire Museum, 41 Long Street (South of the Market Place), ☏ 44 1380 727369, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su & Bank Holidays noon-4PM. Britain's best Bronze Age Archaeology collection displayed in new award-winning galleries. Includes finds from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. £5, £4 concessions, children under 16 free.  
• 2 Kennet and Avon Canal. The canal runs through the town, with the spectacular flight of 26 locks at Caen Hill. At the Wharf in Devizes is the Canal Museum, with cafe and canal boat trips.  
• 3 Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Northgate Brewery, SN10 1JW, ☏ 44 1380 723361, [email protected]. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su closed. Visit the brewery to find out how the famous 6X beer is brewed, see the sign-painting workshop and meet the Shire Horses that deliver beer to pubs in the town every morning.  

Central flight of 16 of Caen Hill Locks

• 4 Caen Hill Locks are 29 locks in three flights, lifting the canal 237 feet over 2 miles (75 m over 3.2 km). The middle flight is an impressive set of 16 straight up the hill. It takes a boat 5-6 hours to traverse the complete lock system.
• 5 Pewsey Heritage Centre, High St, Pewsey SN9 5AF, ☏ 44 1672 562617. Apr-Sept. This is the former Whatley Foundry, built around 1870, which made water wheels, pumps and mill gears. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

• The Devizes International Street Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the town for two weeks leading up to August Bank Holiday each year, beginning with a long-standing "confetti battle" where, at a given signal – usually cannons firing confetti hundreds of metres into the air – the public are invited into the Market Place to throw as much confetti as possible at one another.
• The annual Devizes Arts Festival has a broad spectrum of musical events, poets and authors, literary talks, comedians and other performers.
• Each autumn, the Devizes Food & Drink Festival includes opportunities to dine in unusual places.
• Every Easter, hundreds of canoeists set off from Devizes Wharf heading for the Thames at Westminster in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.

Buy

There are over 70 independent retailers in the town centre, many around the Market Place, Little Brittox and Brittox (both pedestrianised), and in Sidmouth Street.

Drink

Wadworth has 13 pubs in the brewery town of Devizes including:

• 1 The Crown, 19 New Park St, SN10 1EA (Next to Wadworth Brewery), ☏ 44 1380 722 692. W-Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-6PM, closed M Tu. (updated Oct 2020)

Pubs along the Kennet and Avon Canal:

• 2 The Bridge Inn, Horton Road, SN10 2JS (on the canal east of Devizes), ☏ 44 1380 860 273. For food W-Sa noon-8PM, Su noon-4PM, closed M Tu. A canal-side pub, that specialises in food and serves Wadworth Beer. (updated Oct 2020)

Sleep

• 1 Travelodge, London Rd, SN10 2HL, ☏ 44 871 984 6410. (updated May 2016)
• 2 The Castle Hotel, New Park St, SN10 1DS, ☏ 44 1380 727981. (updated May 2016)
• 3 The Bear Hotel, 2-3 The Market Pl, SN10 1HS, ☏ 44 1380 722444. (updated May 2016)

Connect

• Devizes Area Tourism Partnership, ☏ 44 1380 800400, [email protected]. General advice about visiting Devizes and the local area. Run by a volunteer group. 
• Devizes Area Accommodation Providers, ☏ 44 1380 620660. Accommodation line to find somewhere to stay. 

Go next

• Visit Stonehenge and Avebury and explore the wonderful Wiltshire landscape of the Vale of Pewsey
• Visit Lacock and Bradford-on-Avon on the way to Bath
• Follow the Prehistoric Wessex Trail