Although small, Devizes is a bustling little town with plenty of visitor attractions.

There are over 200 listed buildings in the town centre and the tourist information centre at Cromwell House in the Market Place has maps of historic trails.

Devizes has regular markets and is home to Wadworth brewery, which has a pair of Shire horses who deliver to all Wadworth pubs within a two-mile radius of the town centre.

If they are not pulling the dray in the morning, they can be visited opposite the Wadsworth brewery between 1.30-3.30pm.

Wadsworth has opened a new £600,000 visitor centre managed by Su Stafford, former Kennet Tourist information manager. The centre is free to visit and is open Monday to Friday 10am -4pm and 10am-1pm on Saturday.

Devizes has a marina on the outskirts of town, where you can rent a narrowboat and the town also has the Wharf centre in town, which houses the Wharf Theatre, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Museum and is a starting point for narrowboat trips.

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes charts the history of Wessex through the Bronze and Iron ages and people can find out about the history of Stonehenge, Woodhenge and Avebury. The museum has free entry on Sundays.

Devizes Castle is another attraction - although there is no entry to the public as it's privately owned, visitors can get fantastic views from Potterne Road.

Take the short walk from the centre to the Kennet & Avon canal where you can walk along the towpath and visit Caen Hill. There is an impressive set of 29 locks - 17 of which are very close together and take the canal uphill.

If you're thirsty after walking along all the locks, there are plenty of watering holes such as Caen Hill Café at the top of the locks, where you can stop off for drinks, cakes and snacks, and also purchase Kennet & Avon merchandise to remind you of your visit.

For more information about Devizes, call (01380) 734669 or visit the tourist information website at www.visitkennet.co.uk

10:58am Monday 31st March 2008

Print

Email this