Blog (Devizes) - Visit Wiltshire

Vaughan’s Cookery School in Devizes is well known for the high quality, varied cookery courses that they run, and I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed many of these, but last Friday I visited for a very different experience, their first ever Chef’s Table, and, as it was Burn’s Night, I am sure you can guess the theme!

Wiltshire, a county rich in History and Heritage. Something you can celebrate as part of England's largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days. Discover hidden places around Wiltshire and try out something new all for free! 

How many of us tend to overlook what’s on our doorstep for the lure of exploring further afield? 

During September, many buildings open up for the annual Heritage Open Days. Some of these buildings are ones that aren’t usually open to the general public whereas others give people the opportunity to visit an attraction free of charge.

We take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s Heritage Open Days event that you can enjoy here in Wiltshire.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Vaughan’s Cookery School I was born and bred in Wiltshire and moved to London to train with the culinary elite when I was the tender age of 16 years t..

June makes a great time of year to make a Wiltshire escape and with some fantastic events taking place this month, there are even more reasons to visit.

I have enjoyed several courses at Vaughan’s Cookery School in the past and have always come away having had a great time and learnt some new skills, so when I had the opportunity to join the Perfect Pastry course Mr H decided it was time he broadened his culinary skills, and join me. Vaughan’s Cookery School is located in the lovely town of Devizes, and we took the opportunity to stop off in town first, as the range of independent shops there offer some lovely different gifts, and I had a few birthday presents to get. Mr H used the opportunity to call into Wadworth Visitor Centre Shop and pick up a few souvenirs for himself!

After starting off my morning in Devizes by joining the Wadworth Shire horses on their deliveries (see my previous blog) I decided to explore more of the historic town.

When visiting Devizes it’s always a pleasure to see Wadworth Brewery’s Shire horses out and about making their deliveries. It’s a tradition that has been kept alive by this brewery in a time when many breweries use more conventional forms of vehicle for their deliveries.

The Kennet & Avon Canal has so much to offer, so when I was asked whether we wanted to hire some canoes for a couple of hours to explore it from the water, I jumped at the chance to investigate it with the family.

Wiltshire is home to lots of walks, from brisk walks along the Ridgeway through to shorter ambles along the riverbanks. If you like to bring your four-legged friend on holiday with you, we have some great suggestions of top places to walk your dog here in Wiltshire gathered from some of the VisitWiltshire team and people who work closely with us.

VisitWiltshire have run several joint-instameets with our friends Igerswiltshire. It’s an opportunity for like-minded photographers, whether using a smart phone or DSLR to get together, share ideas and get creative.

Our fourth instameet of the year was set to be in the market town of Devizes, in the heart of Wiltshire and this time it would coincide with the national Heritage Open Days event.