Devizes

Devizes has been an important trading centre since medieval times, and that heritage is still evident when you walk around the broad Market Place, surrounded by well-preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings that reflect the town's prosperous past.

The most striking landmark is Devizes Castle, a Norman stronghold that dominates the skyline. It now operates as a museum with exhibits covering the castle's turbulent history and the archaeology of Wiltshire, including prehistoric treasures and finds from nearby Stonehenge and Avebury.

The Kennet and Avon Canal runs through Devizes and features a remarkable flight of twenty-nine locks, an eighteenth-century engineering achievement worth seeing. It's ideal for peaceful walks or watching narrowboats navigate the system. The town itself is compact and easy to explore on foot, with independent shops, cafes, and pubs throughout.

If Iron Age history interests you, the earthwork of Wansdyke lies nearby, and several chalk downs in the surrounding countryside offer excellent walking with far-reaching views. Devizes works well either as a base for discovering this part of Wiltshire or as a worthwhile detour if you're travelling between Bath and Salisbury.