Pictures of Devizes

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.