Top Reasons to Visit Devizes

With over 500 listed buildings, a large Market Place and a wide range of independent shops, eateries and drinkeries, Devizes offers plenty of reasons to visit this year. Whether you stay for a weekend or longer, whatever time of year, there are always plenty of things to do in this Wiltshire town.

You might plan your visit around one of the regular events organised by Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) or want to learn more about the local history at Wiltshire Museum.

Head to the Visit Devizes website for more information on a range of Things to Do in and around the town.

Below are our top reasons you should visit Devizes this year.

Devizes Art & Cultural Events

Devizes offers a vibrant cultural scene with a proud community spirit, bringing the historic Wiltshire market town to life with a range of exciting events throughout the year. From festival weekends to intimate gigs, art exhibitions and much more.

Devizes Arts Festival

Taking place at the start of Summer every year is the Devizes Arts Festival. This event has been running since 1986 and this year, celebrates its 40^th anniversary! The festival aims to bring a diverse mixture of internationally renowned music, drama, literature and comedy to the town, with events taking place in venues throughout Devizes.

Music Festivals & Gigs in Devizes

Devizes buzzes with sounds throughout the year, with its range of annual festivals and live gigs in local hostelries.

The Fulltone Festival is an annual event held in the summer, featuring a diverse range of musical genres, star guests and old favourites, with a powerhouse 50-piece orchestra delivering spine-tingling classical, show-stopping musical theatre, iconic film scores, epic pop anthems and rock classics. This is truly an event for everyone!

Park Farm Festival and Crownfest are summer events that host programmes that include well known Wiltshire musicians and tribute bands.

Shopping in Devizes

Devizes Independents – local retailers, makers and creatives

Devizes has an excellent range of independent traders, local makers and creatives who contribute to the unique flavour of the town’s shopping experience. The indie ethos is strong here – explore the nooks, crannies and alleyways to find a friendly welcome.

Devizes Markets

Different day-by-day - Devizes markets run throughout the month, offering everything from fresh food produce, antiques, bric-a-brac, handmade gifts and much more.

Weekly Big Market

Every Thursday, Devizes holds the Big Thursday Market in the Market Place - arguably the biggest traditional market in Wiltshire having been around for over 300 years! Fresh bakes and hot food stalls sit alongside local cheese vendors and fresh fruit and veg stalls, plant and garden items and much more.

Shambles Indoor Market

The Shambles Market is home to a number of different trader and offers the perfect experience for any ‘curious’ visitor. There are antiques, new and vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and, plus there are also two cafes on site!

Monthly Farmers’ Market

On the first Saturday of every month is Devizes Farmers’ Market. Here, you will discover a range of traders selling fresh, high-quality produce and handmade items.

Visit Devizes Markets website to see what’s on each day.

Food & Drink in Devizes

Where to Eat & Drink

Set in the heart of Wiltshire Devizes offers a mix of vibrant or cosy cafés (depending on your mood), restaurants and pubs filled with character. There are many one-off gems to enjoy refreshments, from the café in Hillworth Park to an award-winning tea house down a tiny ginnel

View the Indie Devizes food & drink map and choose your spot!

Wadworth Brewery, Shop & Tours

Wadworth Brewery  has been brewing beer in Devizes since 1875. A new state of the art brewing facility recently opened at Folly Road in Devizes, but the iconic 1885 brewery in the centre of town still dominates the skyline. With classic brews such as 6X, Horizon and Henry’s IPA, Wadworth has expanded their range to offer Folly Road craft beers, with new brews coming on stream throughout the year!

Discover the rich heritage and brewing expertise of Wadworth through engaging tours and experiences. Their Historic Pub Tours and Brewhouse Tours take place on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year.

Devizes Food & Drink Festival

Held every September and run entirely by volunteers is Devizes’ Food & Drink Festival, a multi-day celebration of food and drink, with support from producers, farmers, chefs, home cooks, brewers and more! This festival brings original food and drink experiences to life with tastings and guest speakers to dining in unusual places.

Discover Devizes History & Heritage

Devizes is a vibrant market town with a medieval past, a wealth of historical stories to tell and an architectural heritage – there are more than 500 listed buildings - and a large Market Place in the heart of the town.

The past seeps out of the streets with many businesses housed in centuries’ old buildings and it is home to an internationally renowned architectural and heritage museum. 

It sits in land that reaches out to Salisbury Plain pre-historic landscape and is part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape – you can walk ancient tracks and discover natural and man-made features from many centuries ago.

Wiltshire Museum

Wiltshire Museum is home to the best Bronze Age archaeology collection in Britain. Here you can find gold from the time of Stonehenge, as well as an outstanding display of ancient Wiltshire artefacts from the last 6,000 years! Galleries highlighting late periods including the Iron Age, Romans and Saxons, together with the story of Devizes.

The Caen Hill Locks

Devizes sits nicely along the Kennet and Avon Canal, one of the most famous waterways in the country. Not only this, but Devizes is home to one of the most iconic landmarks along the Canal, the Caen Hill Locks. Stretching over two miles, these 29 locks showcase a true triumph of Georgian engineering next to Jubilee Wood – a wildlife-friendly sanctuary that’s perfect for family picnics and naturalists.

Offering not only a unique experience by narrowboat, with but a picturesque place to walk local, the Kennet & Avon Canal through Devizes is a wonderful sight .

Canal boat trips run regularly from Devizes Wharf in the centre of town.

Devizes. For Discoverers.

Take a Trip to the Heart of Wiltshire

Devizes is a historic market town with a colourful Medieval past, a wealth of history and a fascinating architectural heritage. Combining hidden Medieval corners and Georgian elegance with local traditions and a warm community spirit, Devizes creates a unique place for locals and visitors alike.

For more information on the town’s history, attractions and events happening in and around Devizes head to the Visit Devizes website.