Wiltshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY</h2>



<p>Devizes is a medieval market town, justly proud of its indie shops and buzzy festival scene. It’s been the main market in the area for a whopping 900 years, and today the bustling central Market Place still draws a crowd. There are plenty of stunners when it comes to architecture too. Devizes is brimming with over 500 listed buildings, from medieval gems to Georgian and Victorian beauties. It also isn’t as polished or ‘cool’ as the likes of Bruton or Frome, which makes it all the more enticing. Locals are varied and unfailingly friendly, ranging from DFL’s to farming families and creatives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Untitled-design-309.jpg" alt="The black Swan inn" class="wp-image-34433" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Untitled-design-309.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Untitled-design-309-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Untitled-design-309-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Untitled-design-309-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Untitled-design-309-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you love a cuppa, pop to <a href="https://teainc.co.uk/">Tea Inc</a>, where you’ll find a vast array of loose-leaf teas and excellent scones. Carnivores will enjoy getting stuck in at <a href="https://www.peppermilldevizes.co.uk/">The Peppermill</a>, which earns rave reviews for its flame-grilled steaks. You’ll find excellent seafood too, including pan fried hake and hot honey buttered squid. The<a href="https://www.blackswandevizes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Black Swan Inn</a> is stunning Georgian coaching inn, serving everything from delicious nibbles (the chickpea chips and wild garlic mayo are a winning combo) to heartier mains. Sweet treats more your bag? Head to <a href="https://hollychocs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hollychocs</a>, a Muddy fave with an incredible hot chocolate menu and epic bakes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/460130777_951484656993976_1031864914336749184_n.jpg" alt="Model wearing dress and boots available from Spirit Boutique Devizes" class="wp-image-34409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/460130777_951484656993976_1031864914336749184_n.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/460130777_951484656993976_1031864914336749184_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/460130777_951484656993976_1031864914336749184_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/460130777_951484656993976_1031864914336749184_n-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Spirit Fashion</figcaption></figure>



<p>A big shout out goes to the town’s markets, which lure shoppers from far and wide. Thursday is the biggie, crammed full of fresh produce and everything from knick-knacks to flapjacks and flowers. Saturday sees a monthly farmers’ and artisans’ market, while The Shambles market hall is choc full of indies.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/devizesbooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devizes Books</a> is another Muddy fave, as are <a href="https://www.spiritfashion.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spirit </a>Fashion and <a href="https://www.henhousethegallery.co.uk/">Hen House The Gallery</a> for womenswear. Blushing brides to be would do well to hotfoot it to <a href="https://henhousebrides.co.uk/">The Hen House</a>, a fabulous bridal boutique in an elegant Georgian building near the town hall. Keen to for some interiors inspo? Head to <a href="https://originalglory.co.uk/">Original Glory</a> for Farrow &amp; Ball, picture framing and vintage furniture finds. &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>This is cracking walking territory. If you’re up for a stomp, head up to the white horse on Roundway Hill, which is one of Wiltshire’s eight prancing equine figures. This, the newest addition, was carved out of the chalky downland by around 200 locals to mark the millennium. To up your heart rate a little further, try <a href="https://www.bb-fitness-studio.co.uk/">BB Fitness</a>, a Muddy award-winning boutique fitness studio. Run by Pilates guru Beth, it specialises in everything from PT to circuits and boxing. There’s also a weekly Parkrun every Saturday, and Devizes is well-covered for staples like GPs and pharmacies. If sport’s your bag, the town has excellent <a href="https://www.devizeshockey.co.uk/">hockey</a> and <a href="http://devizesnc.clubbuzz.co.uk/">netball</a> clubs, both of which are hugely popular with junior and adult players alike.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Shire-Horses-Devizes-credit-visitwiltshire.co_.uk_.jpg" alt="Shire Horses Devizes" class="wp-image-34196" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Shire-Horses-Devizes-credit-visitwiltshire.co_.uk_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Shire-Horses-Devizes-credit-visitwiltshire.co_.uk_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Shire-Horses-Devizes-credit-visitwiltshire.co_.uk_-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">visitwiltshire.co.uk</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a powerful sense of community here. Festivals are big, celebrating everything from music to the <a href="https://www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk/">arts</a>, food, ales and even<a href="https://www.docadevizes.org.uk/winter-festival/"> winter</a>. <a href="https://fto.org.uk/devizes-fulltone-music-festival-2024/">The Fulltone Festival</a> is hugely popular &#8211; expect live bands, huge voices and a 50-piece orchestra, playing everything from iconic movie tunes to classical hits and 80s anthems. The <a href="https://www.devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info/events/">Food and Drink Festival</a> is another biggie, with tons of events including a street food market, pop up pub, chocolate tasting and supper clubs. Wadworth, the local brewery, still uses two shire horses, Sam and George. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Follow the Kennet and Avon canal to the picture-perfect Caen Hill lock flight. You’ll find 16 locks, neatly staggered in an impressive feat of engineering, and a lovely café at the top. <a href="https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wiltshire Museum</a> is well worth a visit and <a href="https://www.braeside-education.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Braeside Activity Centre</a> has impressive kid&#8217;s holiday clubs with high ropes, watersports, willow weaving and survival skills. For an ice cream fix, head to the Rowdey Cow, where you’ll find ingenious flavours including Lotus Biscoff and Parma Violet. <strong></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>The town has a vibrant cultural arts scene, largely thanks to Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts. The group organises tons of fab al fresco events, from a September <a href="https://www.docadevizes.org.uk/colour-rush/">colour run</a> to the summer <a href="https://www.docadevizes.org.uk/picnic-in-the-park/">Picnic in the Park</a>. The town’s annual confetti battle has been raging since 1955, and kicks off carnival fortnight every summer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Pretty reasonable! Properties in Devizes had an overall average price of £293,123 over the last year, with terraces going for an average price of £259,532, flats costing on average £163,838 and detached properties selling for £453,612.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/roundway-devizes-wiltshire-sn10/cho012290835" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Devizes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34396" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Devizes.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Devizes-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/Devizes-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This Grade II listed farmhouse has two cottages. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/roundway-devizes-wiltshire-sn10/cho012290835" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £2,7m.</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Got littlies? Local nursery options include <a href="https://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/nurseries/devizes/?gclid=CjwKCAjwyaWZBhBGEiwACslQo4gUmS-Qa3mQgId65yCl9aIztbP7dsj_oE6lu4YmJp2reDQaCLgkcRoCI6YQAvD_BwE">Six Penny Day Nursery</a>, <a href="http://noahsarknurserydevizes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Noah&#8217;s Ark Day Nursery</a> and <a href="https://www.littlebearsdevizes.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Bears Pre-School</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.southbroomstjames.dsat.org.uk/">Southbroom St James Academy</a>, <a href="https://www.wansdyke.wilts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wansdyke</a> and <a href="https://www.trinityprimaryacademy.dsat.org.uk/">Trinity CofE</a> primaries are all ‘good,’ as is <a href="https://www.devizesschool.co.uk/">Devizes School and Sixth Form College</a>. You’re also well catered for when it comes to independent schools, with Muddy-approved options <a href="https://www.stonarschool.com/">Stonar</a>, <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/st-margarets-prep/">St Margaret&#8217;s Prep</a>, <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/muddy-best-schools-guide/school-review-st-marys-calne/">St Mary&#8217;s Calne</a> and <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/national-school-reviews/dauntseys/">Dauntsey&#8217;s</a> all within easy reach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Devizes’ white horse is the only one in Wiltshire to be galloping off to the right. All the others face left.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>You’re a 25 min drive to nearest mainline station Chippenham, which is a quick 70 mins to London.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Devizes

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