Buildings overlooking the Crammer, Devizes
Devizes is just six miles from our base in
Melksham, and a popular destination for a light summer evening.
(See also
Melksham,
Avebury,
Cherhill,
Bradford,
Bathampton,
Larkhill,
Villagechurches Honey Street and
Westbury)
The name "Devizes" means "at the division point" I am told, and indeed Devizes is where the Diocese of
Salisbury, Gloucester, and
Bath and Wells meet. It's an upland market town - the highest in Wiltshire - and it retains a old world quaintness encouraged by some excellent building preservation in the Market Square.
The Village Green (or should we call it the town green?) is home of a pond known as The Crammer where you'll see ducks, swans and Canada geese ... this is Moonraker territory, and the Moonraker Pub's just up the road from there
Map locator - Devizes
Church and Crammer, Devizes
The Kennet and Avon
Canal climbs up Caen Hill just to the West of Devizes in a magnificent flight of 29 locks. If you fancy a 2 mile walk each way, park at the Three Magpies at Sells Green (see our
Nearmelksham page) and walk up the flight to The Black Horse, or if you've got still more energy carry on to the Artichoke or one of the many town centre pubs. There's good beer to be had, as Devizes if home of Wadworth's brewery of 6X fame.
Caen Hill Locks Devizes
Devizes market square is surrounded by many historic building and it's a great place just to wander around in the evening if you're in to architecture. This view of the Market square will give you only the briefest idea of the welter of treasures.
Devizes Market Square
Devizes Market
The market itself is held in the Market Hall building several times a week
The towns of
Calne ,
Bradford on Avon and
Marlborough are also fascinating to walk around during the evening if you're on one of our
public courses
Bus service 49; Trowbridge - Devizes - Swindon
The bus from Melksham runs up to Devizes, from where you can connect into the
Swindon service
Overlooking Devizes is the flank of the
Marlborough Downs; there, at
Roundway Hill Covert (also known as
Olivers Castle) a battle was fought during the English Civil War.
Olivers Castle, viewed from near Bromham
Twice a year, the
Funfair comes to Devizes ...
[M205]