Explore Wiltshire
Your Itinerary Planner
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
Devizes
Situated in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, Devizes is an historic market town with a colourful medieval past. The town enjoys a rich heritage of fine Georgian houses and a 19th century castle built on the site of a Norman stronghold.
Devizes has boasted a castle for a thousand years, although the present building is of a more recent period and is privately owned. During the Middle Ages it was the scene of siege and bloodshed as Queen Matilda fought to keep her English crown.
A fascinating Medieval Trail leaflet chronicles these turbulent events and takes the visitor around the town to points of interest. And don't miss the Wiltshire Heritage Museum, home to outstanding collections tracing the history of Wiltshire over the last 6,000 years.
During the 17th century another mighty confrontation took place at Roundway Down, just outside the town, when Royalist forces soundly defeated Cromwell's troops. Today, colourful re-enactments can be enjoyed during the summer months.
>>Discover Devizes on a trail around the town
When it comes to shopping and eating out Devizes has retained its individuality and offers enchanting cobbled alleyways with specialist retailers, cafes and traditional pubs. Markets abound, both outdoors in the Market Place (market day is Thursday) and indoors at The Shambles.
Wadworth's celebrated brewery remains in its original town location and their brewer's dray drawn by mighty Shire Horses is a regular and much-loved sight on the streets. The brewery has recently opened a Visitor Centre and tours of the site are also offered.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of events throughout the year, including the Devizes Festival of arts in June, Devizes International Street Festival in late August, Devizes Carnival in early September, the colourful Food and Drink Festival in July and the Christmas Festival featuring a parade of hundreds of lanterns, held on the last Friday of November.
The Kennet & Avon canal passes through the town and the famous flight of 29 locks are easily accessible on foot.
Visitor Information
Visitor information is available at a number of locations in the town, including the Kennet & Avon Canal Museum, Wadworth Visitor Centre and Wiltshire Heritage Museum.
Contact:
Devizes Area Tourism Partnership
c/o Wiltshire Heritage Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NS
Tel: +44 (0)1380 800400
Email: tourism@devizes.org.uk
Opening times vary
Wiltshire Heritage Museum open Mon-Sat 10-5, Sundays and Bank Holidays 12-4.
>>Browse accommodation in Devizes
Tempting places to eat and drink range from tea shops and cafes to pubs and restaurants, while shopping is a pleasure, with everything from major discount outlets to unique, individual retailers.
There is an excellent year-round programme of arts and entertainment on offer, and enough festivals and sports and leisure opportunities to satisfy even the most active of visitors... not to mention our outstanding range of places to visit.
Highlights This Month
- Surviving the Stone Age 28/1/2012
- Half Term Family Fun Trail 11/2/2012
- Trowbridge Sporting Heroes and a History of the Olympics 11/2/2012
- Winter Archaeology Walk 18/2/2012
Highlights Next Month
