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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Farnborough Hall 15 June 2011

Farnborough

in the county of Warwickshire

Sulgrave - home of George Washington's ancesters

Sulgrave

in the county of Northamptonshire

Tutbury, Staffordshire: Tutbury Castle ruins

Tutbury

in the county of Staffordshire

Pictures of Devizes

a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire

About Devizes

Devizes is a small market town situate on the edge of the great expanse of Salisbury Plain. Originally bounded by three manors, hence its name - a version of 'ad divisas' meaning, at the boundary. The town shows elegant houses of the 18th-century and Tudor houses can be seen in St. John's Alley. Devizes Castle, constructed in the 19th-century, contains fragments of the earlier castle, demolished following the Civil War. The church of St.John was built in the 12th-century, for the castle. St. Mary's church was built in the town at the same time. Both churches feature fine Norman work and St.John's has a magnificent tower.

Historically, the town dates back to the Bronze Age, a fact borne out by the many findings of interesting relics from this period. These, together with relics from the Neolithic and Iron Age, are housed in the local museum.

There are many other interesting features in this lovely old town and these include an ancient market cross and the Bear Inn which dates 16th-century. The inn was visited by Fanny Burney in 1730 and the landlord was the father of the painter Thomas Lawrence.

More latterly, the town is known for the Kennet and Avon Canal. The canal passes close to the town, and rises with the aid of 29 locks built by Rennie, to a height of 237 feet in two and a half miles. It is one of the longest flight of locks in the country.

Attractive nearby features include the beautiful chalk carving of the White Horse, the NT property of Avebury Manor and West Kennet Long Barrows. The town has many excellent shops, pubs and restaurants.

Recommended towns & villages near Devizes

Lacock Bakery

Lacock (150 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire

(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NW of Devizes)

Gatherings of graceful medieval houses line the streets of Lacock..

St. Jame's Church, Avebury

Avebury (171 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire

(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction NE of Devizes)

The village of Avebury is world famous for its spectacular stone circle, which some consider more spectacular than Stonehenge. The pretty village also has a 15th century church,.....

Old Toll House (18th century)

Trowbridge (148 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire

(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction W of Devizes)

Trowbridge is a historic town crammed with attractive stone buildings. It originated as a settlement along the Biss and flourished from the wool and weaving trades and from these periods there remain many magnificent merchant houses...

Marlborough--Savernake Forest, Wiltshire.

Marlborough (11 Pictures) in the county of Wiltshire

(12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction NE of Devizes)

Dramatic chalk downs extend from Berkshire into rural Wiltshire, they are particularly rich in pre-historic remains and shelter a wealth of charming market towns and pretty.....

Castle Combe

Castle Combe (203 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire

(14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction NW of Devizes)

Tucked away in the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is a quintessential English village with honey-colored stone houses, a medieval market cross, and a peaceful ambiance. It's an idyllic destination for a relaxing countryside getaway...

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Nearby attractions..

The public walkway alongside the golf course at Bowood Estate, Nr. Chippenham, Wiltshire

Bowood House & Gardens (12 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction N)

..

Cistery at Lacock Abbey

Lacock Abbey (97 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NW)

Lacock is one of the most beautiful villages in England, with houses dating from the 15th-century to the 18th-century. At the.....

Silbury Hill - ancient burial ground

Silbury Hill (20 Pictures)

(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)

There are many fanciful theories about Silbury Hill, the massive conical hill described as the highest artificial mound in.....

Entrance to Avebury Manor, Wiltshire

Avebury Manor & Garden (12 Pictures)

(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NE)

Avebury Manor is a 16th century manor house built on the site of an old monastery. The rich interior of the house shows original.....

Avebury Ring, Wiltshire

Avebury Ring (61 Pictures)

(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction NE)

This is the largest and one of the most spectacular stone circles in the world, it certainly eclipses Stonehenge, for not only is.....

Westbury White Horse

Bratton Camp & White Horse (4 Pictures)

(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction SW)

..

Farleigh Hungerford Castle

Farleigh Hungerford Castle (24 Pictures)

(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction W)

In 1383, the then Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Thomas Hungerford had to be pardoned for building Farleigh Hungerford.....


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