Kennet and Avon Canal Museum

The building itself once thrummed with canal trade activity, which sets the tone for everything inside.

The exhibits take you through the canal's construction between 1794 and 1810, a period when engineers tackled the considerable challenge of building 105 locks to manage the landscape. You'll discover how this waterway linked Bristol to Reading via Bath and Newbury, reshaping the region's economy and transforming the daily lives of the people who worked the boats. Restored narrowboats, period equipment, and interactive displays give you a real sense of what canal life actually entailed.

What makes this place special is that you're not confined indoors. Once you've finished looking around, you can walk straight out onto the towpath, watch working boats negotiate Devizes' striking flight of seventeen locks, or settle in at one of the waterside cafes. The town centre is just a short walk away whenever you fancy exploring further.

Devizes positions you well for seeing more of Wiltshire and the Cotswolds. Salisbury is about twenty miles south and Bath roughly the same distance west. An hour or two here works well, particularly if you're drawn to industrial or canal history. The place rewards taking your time rather than rushing through.