Devizes

Directory Information

Our Devizes dentons directory (32nd edition) is currently distributed to over 22,000 business and residential addresses in the Devizes area. For more information on our directories, please click here.

About Devizes

Market Cross, Devizes

Market Cross, Devizes

Home of Wadworth Brewery, the charming historic market town of Devizes lies at the very heart of Wiltshire. The outline of the town walls creates the ‘D’ shape for the centre, which retains its medieval street plan. The town is compact and, being on the level, easy to walk round. Devizes is probably best known for the Kennet and Avon Canal’s Caen Hill flight of 29 locks, which rise 237 feet in 2½ miles. Devizes is twinned with the towns of Mayenne in France, Tornio in Finland, Waiblingen in Germany and Oamaru in New Zealand. Today, Devizes can boast nearly 500 listed buildings which is probably the highest concentration anywhere in England.

The annual Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race takes place over the Easter weekend with the competitors starting at the wharf  and then embarking on a 125 mile marathon to reach the Houses of Parliament.  Several of the 90 locks require the competitors to carry their craft.

 

History

Wadworth Brewery, Devizes

Wadworth Brewery, Devizes

  • Founded in Norman times at the boundaries (the Latin ‘ad Divisas’) of surrounding villages, the town grew up around the castle. Devizes Castle was built by Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury in 1080 but the town is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. As the castle was located on the boundaries of the manors of Rowde, Bishops Cannings and Potterne, it became known as the castrum ad divisas or “the castle at the boundaries”, hence the name Devizes. 
  • As with many towns in the area, Devizes was associated with the wool trade.  The practice of weaving at home started to become modernised when John Anstie built a factory housing 300 looms.
  • The history of the town is shown in two museums - the Wiltshire Heritage Museum has a collection of Bronze Age archaeology and material from the World Heritage sites of Avebury and Stonehenge. The history of Wiltshire and the particularly Devizes, is shown in displays and the collections.  The Wharfside houses the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust Museum displaying details of the canal construction, operation, closure and restoration.

Facts

  • Population – 11,296 (2001)
  • Unitary Authority – Wiltshire Council
  • Major Industries – Retail; Manufacturing; Business Services; Tourism
  • Post Town – DEVIZES
  • Postcode District – SN10
  • Dialling code – 01380
  • Police – Wiltshire Police
  • Fire – Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • Ambulance – Great Western Ambulance Service

Discover Devizes – useful links to town guides, what’s on and places to see

Caen Hill Locks

Caen Hill Locks

Share|