In Devizes

Hillworth Park, Devizes

By Emma Kirkup

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 this historic town.

Wrapped up nice and warm, I explored the area around the Market Place, which bustles with people shopping or stopping at one of the cafés and coffee shops in the town. I was quite surprised by just how busy the centre was considering it was a drizzly day.

The Beehive

There are some really adorable shops in Devizes, I loved the exterior of The Beehive, a vintage and lifestyle shop and also the quirky window displays of the town’s many antiques stores. If you enjoy geting out and about with your camera then there are a lot of photographic opportunities for you here, especially when the markets are in town too!

Roman, Wiltshire Museum

Just a short walk from the Market Place you’ll come across the Wiltshire Museum which is home to a fantastic archaeology collection which complements visits to the Avebury and Stonehenge World Heritage Site and has lots of interactive areas for younger visitors. The museum also has large sections dedicated to the history of Devizes, including details of the castle, brewing at Wadworth and the influences of war on the town. There are also temporary exhibitions (I was here to see the end of 'Fantastic Fossils') and various talks, lectures and family events which take place throughout the year.

Devizes sign

The architecture of the houses along the street that Wiltshire Museum sits on is always a welcoming sight too, plus the pastel colours really brightened up the grey weather!

I decided to brave the elements again and make the short walk to Hillworth Park. The park has an interesting history and features a ha-ha, Quaker burial ground and a pretty Grade II Listed Pavilion. For children there are play areas. The park also hosts a variety of events including gardening talks, an Easter egg hunt and music. It would certainly be worth visiting on a sunnier day to really make the most of this area of calm!

Strolling back towards the town centre, I passed through the grounds of St John’s Church and looked over to where the railway line once passed through under Devizes Castle. It’s worth going off the main streets in Devizes as there are hidden gems you can discover and lots of historic buildings, charming cottages and little alcoves.



If I’d had more time, I would have liked to walk to the other end of the town where the Kennet & Avon Canal passes through. The Wharf area is a lovely spot with the canal museum, boat trips and even a theatre and there are some nice walks you can take along the towpath towards Caen Hill Locks. It’s also just nice to watch people using the canal, from the narrowboats slowly gliding past to the canoeists practising for the annual Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race which usually takes place over the Easter weekend!

It would be easy to make a short break of it in Devizes and there are various options for places to stay including The Bear Hotel in the town centre as well as nearby B&Bs and inns.

The Vaults, Devizes

Related

Devizes
Town
Wadworth Shire Horses

Looking to visit the amazing town of Devizes?...If so, click here to get the latest Devizes tourist information direct from the official Wiltshire tourism site!

Wiltshire Museum
Museum
Neolithic Axe Display

Discover gold from the time of Stonehenge, find out more about ancient Wiltshire, including the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. Plus displays and exhibitions exploring the history of Wiltshire from earliest times to the present.

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