60-651: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity based in Devizes , England which owns and manages 40 nature reserves in Wiltshire and Swindon . It also works to encourage Wiltshire's communities to live sustainable lifestyles that protect the environment. It is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the United Kingdom, which together form the largest voluntary organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places everywhere – at land and at sea. It issues
120-547: A daily National Express coach service to and from London Victoria, via Heathrow Airport. There is a regular bus service to and from Stonehenge . Devizes is approximately 15 miles (24 km) from the M4 . Several main roads pass through the town, including the A360 , A361 and A342 . The Kennet and Avon Canal was built under the direction of John Rennie between 1794 and 1810, linking Devizes with Bristol and London. Near Devizes
180-406: A mighty crossing tower ...". The western part of the church was rebuilt in the 15th century. restoration was carried out in 1844 and 1862–3, including the west front designed by Slater . The ornate Beauchamp south chapel is similar to the 1492 Beauchamp and Tocotes chapel at Bromham ; the north Lamb chapel has a fine panelled ceiling. The organ case is late 17th century. St. Mary's was built in
240-707: A number of private schools, beginning in the 18th century and proliferating in the 19th. Brownston House , a Grade I listed building, was the home of Miss Bidwell's Ladies Boarding School from 1859 to 1901. A private Devizes Grammar School was established in Heathcote House in 1874 by the Reverend S.S. Pugh and carried on until 1919 by his twin sons. The closest third-level institution is the University of Bath . Devizes has four Church of England parish churches , and has had nonconformist congregations since
300-480: A town hall and a green in the centre. Devizes Castle was built by Osmund , Bishop of Salisbury in 1080, but the town is not mentioned in the Domesday Book . Because the castle was on the boundaries of the manors of Rowde , Bishops Cannings and Potterne it became known as the castrum ad divisas ("the castle at the boundaries"), hence the name Devizes . On John Speed 's map of Wiltshire (1611),
360-466: A variety of publications including a members magazine, Wiltshire Wildlife. Its digital presence includes social networking, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Formed in 1962 as The Wiltshire Trust for Nature Conservation Ltd , with just seven members contributing £1 per year, the trust was incorporated under the Companies Act on 23 July 1962. Involved in the creation of the trust
420-635: Is a market town and civil parish in Wiltshire , England. It developed around Devizes Castle , an 11th-century Norman castle, and received a charter in 1141. The castle was besieged during the Anarchy , a 12th-century civil war between Stephen of England and Empress Matilda , and again during the English Civil War when the Cavaliers lifted the siege at the Battle of Roundway Down and
480-445: Is a Community Special School for boys aged 11–16. Braeside is an outdoor education centre run by Wiltshire Council. Devizes has six primary schools: St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Southbroom St James Academy, Southbroom Infants' School, Wansdyke Community School, Nursteed Community Primary School and The Trinity CofE (VA) Primary School. Nearby is Rowde CofE Primary Academy in the adjacent village of Rowde . Long Street has had
540-514: Is now at the heart of Devizes School . The town was a coaching stop for mail coaches and stagecoaches on the road from London to Bristol , as evidenced by the number of coaching inns in the town. The Kennet and Avon Canal, fully open by 1810, passes close to the centre of the town. The town gained a railway station in 1857 but the line was closed in 1966. In 1853 the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society
600-534: Is the starting point of the annual Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon . National Cycle Route 4 follows the canal towpath through the town. Devizes School , a secondary school with a sixth form, takes pupils from the town and surrounding area. It is situated in the grounds of the Southbroom House estate and the Grade II listed house forms its administrative core. Downland School
660-577: The Parliamentarian Army of the West under Sir William Waller was routed. Devizes remained under Royalist control until 1645, when Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced the Royalists to surrender. The castle was destroyed in 1648 on the orders of Parliament, and today little remains of it. From the 16th century Devizes became known for its textiles, and by the early 18th century it held
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#1732791155048720-472: The English Civil War , Parliamentary forces under Sir William Waller besieged Royalist forces under Sir Ralph Hopton in Devizes. The siege was lifted by a relief force from Oxford under Henry Wilmot, 1st Earl of Rochester , and Waller's forces were almost totally destroyed at the Battle of Roundway Down . Devizes remained under Royalist control until 1645, when Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced
780-532: The Local Government Act took effect in 1974, Devizes was a municipal borough with its headquarters at Devizes Town Hall . It then became the administrative centre for the much larger District of Kennet , until that was abolished as part of the 2009 structural changes . The town has four electoral wards . The North and East wards follow the boundaries of the civil parish, while Devizes and Roundway South ward extends southward to include part of
840-691: The Royal Wessex Yeomanry , based in Old Sarum and Swindon respectively. A new Devizes Prison , or County House of Corrections, was opened in 1817. This replaced the Bridewell that had been built in Bridewell Street in 1579. The new prison was built of brick and stone, and was designed by Richard Ingleman as a two-storey polygon surrounding a central governor's house. It had an operational life of more than ninety years and
900-458: The " Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts 's Guide to Otters", a testament to the success of the project. In its 50th year, 2012, the trust owned and managed 37 nature reserves. As of 2022, its 60th year, the trust owns and manages over 40 nature reserves, including three farming operations, and has over 20,000 members. The trust undertakes a wide variety of projects to engage local residents with its work, and to develop an understanding and love for
960-508: The 12th century to serve the town outside the castle walls. Only the chancel survives, the rest being rebuilt in the 15th century, including the fine west tower. The east window is from 1852, and there was restoration in 1854 ( Carpenter and Slater) and 1875–6. Since c. 2010, St. Mary's Parochial Church Council have been exploring conversion of the church into a performance and community venue. Battle of Roundway Down 1643 1644 1645 1646 The Battle of Roundway Down
1020-464: The 12th century. The castle held important prisoners, including (from 1106) Robert Curthose , eldest son of William the Conqueror . The town has had churches since the 12th century and today has four Church of England parish churches . During the 12th and 13th centuries, the town of Devizes developed outside the castle with craftsmen and traders setting up businesses to serve the residents of
1080-434: The 17th century. The two 12th-century churches, St. John's and St. Mary's, are Grade I listed buildings. They serve the parish of St. John with St. Mary which has always had one rector. St. John's stands close to Devizes Castle and may have begun as its chapel. The oldest parts of the building are from 1130, shortly after Roger, Bishop of Salisbury rebuilt the castle. Pevsner writes "A major Norman church, dominated by
1140-601: The Battle at Lansdowne. Many of their escort escaped but 200 were captured along with the wagons. On the morning of 12 July, Waller ended talks and began an assault, first bombarding the town with artillery before his infantry attacked the outworks and fortifications. Despite hours of fierce hand-to-hand combat, at the end of the day the Royalists remained in control of Devizes. Early next morning, Wilmot's relief force neared Roundway Down, and as they did so fired several cannon to warn Hopton of their approach. Waller now abandoned
1200-527: The Grade II* listed former Devizes Assize Court , northwest of the town centre, where facilities for community events will also be provided. There was a military presence in the town at Le Marchant Barracks , from 1878 until the 1980s. In 1999, a hill figure of a white horse was cut onto a hill close to Roundway Hill . Known as the Devizes White Horse , it replaced an earlier one which
1260-520: The Green in Devizes is a Grade II* listed building; its history is associated with the church and education. No 8 Long Street was the house of the clothier Samuel Powell, as well as Admiral Joseph Tayler , one of the inspirations for C.S. Forester 's fictional hero Horatio Hornblower . Southbroom House , close to the Green, was built in 1501, then burnt down and was rebuilt by the Eyles family in 1772; it
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#17327911550481320-621: The Parliamentarian garrison in Bristol . Hopton's precarious position provided Waller an opportunity to crush him if he moved fast enough and Waller set out from Bath with 5,000 troops, reaching Chippenham on 9 July. As the Parliamentarians approached, Hopton marched south to Devizes , followed by Waller who occupied Roundway Down, high ground approximately 2 kilometres north of the town. Short of materials and outnumbered,
1380-605: The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry were called out to quell the disturbances. The mutiny came to a head when the two forces faced off against each other with loaded firearms in the Market Square, at which point the militia ringleaders surrendered. The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry went on to serve at home and abroad, including in the Boer War , both World Wars, and live on as B (RWY) Squadron and Y (RWY) Squadron of
1440-524: The Royalists agreed that Prince Maurice and 300 cavalry would break out and race to Oxford for reinforcements, leaving Hopton and the 3,000 Cornish foot to hold Devizes. Departing at midnight on 10 July, Maurice reached Oxford next morning; most of the Royalist field army was absent but Lord Wilmot assembled 1,500 cavalry, then set out for Devizes with Maurice and his men. On 11 July, Waller brought his army down from Roundway Down and deployed them on
1500-411: The Royalists to surrender. The castle was destroyed in 1648 on the orders of Parliament, a process known as slighting , and today little remains of it; almost all of the present structure is from the 19th century. From the 16th century, Devizes became known for its textiles: initially white woollen broadcloth but later the manufacture of serge , drugget , felt , and cassimere or Zephyr cloth . In
1560-546: The Wharf Theatre, a former warehouse alongside canal. The local radio station is Fantasy Radio, a community radio station that broadcasts on 97 FM. The Gazette and Herald is the town’s local weekly newspaper. In 1857 the Great Western Railway built its Devizes branch line eastward to Devizes, from Holt Junction on its Chippenham - Weymouth line, to Devizes railway station just south of
1620-531: The air – the public are invited into the Market Place to throw as much confetti as possible at one another. The annual Devizes Arts Festival has a broad spectrum of musical events, poets and authors, literary talks, comedians and other performers. Each autumn, the Devizes Food and Drink Festival includes opportunities to dine in unusual places. There is an active thespian community that performs at
1680-436: The canal rises 237 feet (72 m) by means of 29 locks, 16 of them in a straight line at Caen Hill . In the early days the canal was lit by gas lights at night, enabling boats to negotiate the locks at any time of day. The canal fell into disuse after the coming of the railways in the 1840s, but was restored between 1970 and 2003 for leisure uses. The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust run a museum at The Wharf in Devizes. The town
1740-587: The castle. As this is the centre of the east–west extent of the Ordnance Survey mapping grid, True North and Grid north align exactly in Devizes. Towns close to Devizes include Melksham , Pewsey , Calne and Westbury . Suburbs of the town include Hartmoor, Jump Farm, Northgate, Nursteed, Roundway , Southbroom and Wick . Devizes is a civil parish with an elected town council . As of 2024 , 11 councillors are Devizes Guardians , 7 Conservatives , 1 Labour and 2 Independent. The parish includes
1800-403: The castle. The first known market in Devizes was in 1228. The original market was in the large space outside St Mary's Church, rather than in the current Market Place , which at that time would have been within the castle's outer bailey. The chief products in the 16th and early 17th centuries were wheat, wool and yarn, with cheese, bacon and butter increasing in importance later. In 1643, during
1860-474: The county. Among these are the following Sites of Special Scientific Interest : In 2013, the trust's nature reserve at Clattinger Farm was named as one of the first Coronation Meadows, to mark the 60th anniversary of The Queen's coronation . The trust is part of the national living landscapes project to restore, re-create and reconnect conservation sites with the wider countryside across England. Devizes Devizes ( / d ɪ ˈ v aɪ z ɪ z / )
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1920-476: The early 18th century. In the centre of the Market Place is the Market Cross , rebuilt in 1814 to designs of James Wyatt . Brownston House is another Grade I house, on New Park Street; it has been home to four MPs and two Army Generals from 1700, and housed a young ladies' boarding school from 1859 to 1901. It was conserved in 1976 by Wiltshire Council and is now a business head office. Heathcote House on
1980-422: The east side of Devizes. To support an attack, he set up an artillery battery within range of the town on Coatefield Hill. Stalling for time, Hopton asked for and received a truce to allow time for negotiations. Overnight as the Parliamentarians waited for Hopton’s response, their cavalry intercepted and captured a Royalist convoy of gunpowder and ammunition that had previously been dispatched to resupply Hopton after
2040-419: The first Sarsen Trail & Neolithic Marathon was held, raising £21,500 which was used to buy Morgan's Hill nature reserve. For its 30th anniversary, in 1992, the trust formally changed its name to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. In 1994, the trust employed its first otter habitat project officer; at that time, there were no known otters in the county. In 2012, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust featured three reserves in
2100-493: The first time a joint parish council; at the same time, adjustments to the boundary with Bishops Canning were made. The town is within the area of the Wiltshire Council unitary authority , on which the four elected members for Devizes are Conservatives . Most significant local government services are the responsibility of Wiltshire Council, while the town and parish councils have a more consultative role. Before
2160-545: The historic Shambles, off the market square. There are over 70 independent retailers in the town centre, many around the Market Place, Little Brittox and Brittox (both pedestrianised), and in Sidmouth Street. At the town's wharf on the canal, the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust has a small museum and cafe. Construction of the new Devizes Health Centre, a 1,588sq m, two-storey building, began in 2021. This will replace
2220-677: The largest corn market in the West Country , constructing the Corn Exchange in 1857. In the 18th century, brewing , curing of tobacco, and snuff -making were established. The Wadworth Brewery was founded in the town in 1875. Standing at the west edge of the Vale of Pewsey , Devizes is about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) southeast of Chippenham and 11 miles (18 km) north-east of the county town of Trowbridge . The town has nearly five hundred listed buildings , some notable churches,
2280-510: The market place. From the end of the 18th century the manufacture of textiles declined, but other trades in the town included clock-making, a bell foundry , booksellers, milliners , grocers and silversmiths. In the 18th, century brewing, curing of tobacco and snuff -making were established in the town. Brewing survives in the Wadworth Brewery , but the tobacco and snuff trades have now died out. The pond known as The Crammer, east of
2340-473: The market place. In 1862 GWR extended the Reading-Hungerford line westward to meet this line, providing a direct route between Paddington and the West Country through Devizes. Pans Lane Halt , southeast of the town in the suburb of Wick , opened in 1929. The building of a by-pass line through Westbury in 1900 diverted most traffic from the Devizes line and British Rail closed it in 1966;
2400-639: The mid 18th century, Devizes held the largest corn market in the West Country of England and also traded hops, cattle, horses and various types of cloth. Before the Corn Exchange was built in 1857, the trade in wheat and barley was conducted in the open, with sacks piled around the market cross . The cross erected in 1814 displays the tale of a woman, Ruth Pierce, who dropped dead suddenly after being discovered cheating. Prosperous wool merchants built town houses in St. John's and Long Street, and around
2460-457: The most experienced units in the Royalist army, and the "deplorable tactics" employed by Haselrig, who awaited Wilmot's charge at the halt, hoping their carbine fire would drive them off. This was a mistake commonly made by Parliamentarian cavalry leaders in the early stages of the war. Conversely, Waller’s reputation as a military leader suffered because of the loss, even though historians claim that his leadership at both Lansdowne and Roundway Down
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2520-511: The natural environment. As of 2022, these activities include: Wiltshire has a large military population and the trust runs community-based programmes that encourage military families to get outside and connect with nature and local residents. It is also working with the charity Help for Heroes , aiding injured service personnel to recover through carrying out conservation tasks at Tedworth House . The trust owns and manages 40 nature reserves (including complexes of several adjacent reserves) across
2580-404: The northwest. After approximately an hour, Byron’s cavalry returned from their pursuit and captured the Parliamentarian artillery which they turned on the retreating enemy, quickly causing them to break apart. Fleeing in all directions, many were cut down by Wilmot's men; Waller and the remnants of his cavalry escaped toward Bristol, leaving the remainder to surrender. The Parliamentarian army in
2640-477: The original Roundway parish, the remainder of which makes up the fourth ward, Roundway. The total population of these wards at the 2011 census was 12,491 but in 2017 with the addition of Roundway as the fourth ward, the population grew to over 17,700. Devizes is part of the Melksham and Devizes Westminster constituency, created following boundary changes and first contested at the 2024 general election, when it
2700-543: The port of Bristol , allowing them to establish links with supporters in Ireland . After the hard fought Battle of Lansdown , the Royalists withdrew from Lansdown to Marshfield , hoping to obtain reinforcements and supplies from their wartime capital of Oxford . They arrived in Chippenham on 7 July. Meanwhile, despite his retreat, Waller's army was largely intact after the battle and losses were quickly replaced by
2760-665: The rest of Waller's cavalry. As Waller advanced down the hill, Byron continued his attack supported by Wilmot and the Royalist reserve under Crawford; with their infantry unable to fire for fear of hitting their own men, the Parliamentarian cavalry were swept from the field. Pursued by the Royalists, some of them rode over the edge of a 300 feet (91 m) steep precipice and into an area that became known as "the Bloody Ditch". Now isolated and with 3,000 Royalists from Devizes advancing against their rear, Waller ordered his infantry into defensive squares and began withdrawing towards
2820-506: The services at Devizes Community Hospital and provide a range of outpatient and GP services. There is a lively arts and culture community in the town, with the Arts Council funded Devizes International Street Festival attracting thousands to the town for two weeks leading up to August Bank Holiday each year, beginning with a long-standing "confetti battle" where, at a given signal – usually cannons firing confetti hundreds of metres into
2880-757: The siege and marched his force north to intercept them; reaching the high ground, the infantry and artillery were placed in the centre, with Waller commanding the cavalry on the left and Sir Arthur Haselrig the right. The Royalist cavalry was divided into three brigades; as well as being in overall command, Wilmot led the brigade on the left, with Sir John Byron on the right, and the Earl of Crawford in reserve. Despite having ridden all night, Wilmot attacked immediately and caught Waller out of position, with Haselrig and his regiment of " London lobsters " in an exposed forward position. Haselrig tried to rally his men but withdrew when he saw Byron preparing to attack, and rejoined
2940-465: The small settlement of Dunkirk , on the northeastern slopes of the hill, which was transferred from Rowde parish in 1835. Much of the built-up area of the town, to the north, east, and south, is within the neighbouring civil parish of Roundway , while a smaller part is in Bishops Cannings parish, and each of those has its own parish council. In April 2017, Roundway and Devizes elected for
3000-458: The south-west and less than two weeks later they captured the vital port of Bristol , allowing them to establish links with their supporters in Ireland . The battle was an outstanding victory for the Royalists; despite travelling over 60 kilometres directly onto the battlefield, 1,800 cavalry defeated a superior force of 5,000 including cavalry, infantry, and artillery. They were helped by the high quality of Wilmot's force, which contained some of
3060-522: The station was demolished soon after. Today the nearest railway stations are at Melksham , Chippenham and Pewsey , although as of 2020 there is a proposal to open a station on the Westbury line at Lydeway , 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (4 km) southeast of the town. Devizes has bus connections to surrounding towns including Swindon (via Avebury ), Trowbridge , Salisbury , Bath and Chippenham , each of which have rail services. Devizes also has
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#17327911550483120-566: The town centre, is claimed to be site of the 18th-century Moonrakers story which led to a colloquial name for Wiltshire people. In 1794, a meeting at the Bear Hotel decided to raise a body of ten independent troops of yeomanry in the county of Wiltshire. These would later be brought together to form the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry , the senior yeomanry regiment. In 1810 the county militia, quartered at Devizes, mutinied and
3180-449: The town's name is recorded as The Devyses . The first castle on the site was of the motte and bailey form and was probably made of wood and earth, but this burnt down in 1113. A new castle was built in stone by Roger of Salisbury , Osmund's successor. Devizes received its first charter in 1141, permitting regular markets. The castle changed hands several times during the Anarchy , a civil war between Stephen of Blois and Matilda in
3240-414: The west was virtually wiped out, with losses estimated to be as many as 600 killed and 1,200 captured, along with their artillery, wagons, gunpowder, ammunition, and supplies. In his letter reporting the victory, Byron lists Royalist losses as "very few killed, but many hurt", although this applies only to officers and other "gentlemen". Arguably the most comprehensive Royalist victory of the war, it secured
3300-458: Was acclaimed author and poet John Buxton . The inaugural meeting was held at County Hall , Trowbridge with some 160 people attending. The trust began creating nature reserves in 1963 with the purchase of Blackmoor Copse . Within a decade, the trust owned nine more reserves, had received its first legacy gift and membership had grown to 800. As it reached its 20th anniversary, the trust owned 30 nature reserves and had 2,000 members. In 1989,
3360-487: Was closed in 1922. It stood on the north side of the Castle's Old Park, across the Kennet and Avon Canal by way of a bridge still called Prison Bridge. The House of Corrections was demolished by 1928. Devizes has more than 500 listed buildings, a large number for a town of its size. The Trust for Devizes has a Town Trail map which provides a guide to many of them. 17 Market Place is a substantial Grade I listed house from
3420-539: Was cut in 1845. In 2014, the town celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Market Cross, marked by Viscount Sidmouth and his cousin, High Sheriff of Wiltshire Peter Addington. Devizes lies about 90 miles (140 km) west-southwest of Central London , almost 2° west of the Greenwich Meridian , with the two-degree line running through the western edge of the town, just a few hundred yards west of
3480-649: Was fought on 13 July 1643 at Roundway Down near Devizes , in Wiltshire during the First English Civil War . Despite being outnumbered and exhausted after riding overnight from Oxford , a Royalist cavalry force under Lord Wilmot won a crushing victory over the Parliamentarian Army of the West under Sir William Waller . Viewed as their most decisive victory of the war, the Royalists secured control of South West England which they held until late 1645. Two weeks later they captured
3540-587: Was founded in the town, and later opened a museum in Long Street. Now called the Wiltshire Museum , its collections are designated as being of national significance. The museum has extensive Bronze Age collections and includes finds from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site , including West Kennet Long Barrow , Marden Henge and Bush Barrow . There are plans to move the museum into
3600-696: Was won by Brian Mathew for the Liberal Democrats . The council has twinning associations with Mayenne in France, Oamaru in New Zealand, Tornio in Finland, and Waiblingen in Germany. Devizes has always been a market town and the market square is still used for that purpose every Thursday, and for farmers' markets on the first Saturday of each month. Indoor traders set up each day in
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