from all over the world alongside an eclectic mix of crafts and things to do. It is the place to see lizards, snakes, spiders and tortoises and get to know meerkats, otters, other small animals and birds. Move into the craft village and see unusual and unique work by craftspeople from all over Wiltshire. Little ones can enjoy the soft play zone and you can relax in the butterfly café. Studley Grange offers something for every member of the family, regardless of the weather.
Devizes is an historic market town with a rich heritage of fine Georgian houses and the award winning Wiltshire Heritage Museum. A 19C castle built on the site of a Norman stronghold is worth a visit. There are indoor and outdoor markets in the Market Place and at The Shambles. Wadworth’s beers are still delivered by mighty Shire Horses in and around the town, and the Kennet & Avon canal passes through the town with the famous flight of twenty nine locks easily accessible on foot.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of events throughout the year, Roundway Down is where the Royalist forces defeated Cromwell’s troops; colourful re-enactments of the battle can be enjoyed during the summer months. The Devizes Festival is in June, the colourful Food and Wine Festival in July and the Devizes Carnival in late August/early September.
The WILTSHIRE HERITAGE MUSEUM has outstanding collections tracing the history of Wiltshire over the last six thousand years.
The KENNET & AVON CANAL TRUST maintains and enhances the waterway. The Trust also collates funding via campaigning, and relates the history, awareness and potential of the canal via the Trust’s museum, pumping stations, shops, boats and branch networks.
The surrounding countryside offers stately homes, picturesque villages, attractive waterways and fantastic walking and cycling in stunning scenery. This is also the focal point for the surrounding villages of All Cannings, Bishops Cannings, Bromham, Easterton, Erlestoke, Etchilhampton, Great Cheverell, Little Cheverell, Market Lavington, Marston, Potterne, Poulshot, Roundway, Seend, Stert, Urchfont, West Lavington, and Worton. All of these villages and hamlets are attractive and worth seeing.
Potterne is a thriving village situated about three miles south of Devizes on the main road to Salisbury. This historic village has one of the oldest timber-framed dwellings in England, the Porch House, dating from 15C. Once through Potterne there is only West Lavington before the rolling two hundred square miles of Salisbury Plain.
Trowbridge has a thriving arts scene which includes an annual Arts Festival, and a biennial Cloth Road Arts event which alternates with the museum’s Textile and Weaving Festival. There is also a modern library and a town trail which highlights the mills and the houses of the mill owners. To the east of the town you can relax in the ancient woodlands of Green Lane Wood.
Charity No CC209206
There are barges for hire to cruise the Kennet & Avon canal and fishing is a major attraction. For golfers there is a vast array of places in this area, the Tourist Information Centre will provide information for crazy golf, driving ranges, and golf courses. This is a busy town for commerce, but it is also a fun place to visit.
Just south of Trowbridge on the A361 is the HOPE NATURE CENTRE at Southwick Country Park, Frome Road, Southwick there is a Registered charity created for adults with learning difficulties who help run Squirrels Tearoom and Animal Park. The Animal Park contains a variety of animals from Alpacas to Parrots set in 15 acres of attractive grounds.
Westbury is a gateway to the wilderness of Salisbury Plain with its steep river valleys and hidden thatched villages. Overlooking the town, above the White Horse, is Bratton Hill Fort, a typical Iron Age structure with an ancient long barrow burial mound dating back to around 3000 BC. From Bratton Hill the views over the Wiltshire countryside are spectacular with an escarpment ideal for hang- gliders, providing the wind is favourable.
There are many walks around the area also fishing ponds in Dilton Marsh and Brokerswood. The All Saints church in the town has the third loudest peal of bells in the world and has an unusual faceless clock made in 1604. The grand indoor Victorian swimming pool built in 1887 is quite unlike its modern equivalent.
family fun Stourhead
Join us for fun family days out throughout the year with lots to see and do everyday. Discover Harry's Story and follow in his footsteps as you explore the garden.
Members and under 5s go free. 01747 841152
nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead New galleries showing half a million years of Wiltshire’s story
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday - 10am to 5pm Sunday - noon to 4pm
www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk
E:
hello@wiltshiremuseum.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1080096
Devizes, SN10 1NS T: 01380 727369
41 Long Street Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3885649
Museum, 4 Canal Trip Boats, Cafe’s, Gift Shops, Crofton Pumping Station,
01380 721279
www.katrust.org.uk admin@katrust.org.uk
TEL: 01225 759075
www.hopenaturecentre.org.uk
When in this area take a look at Mere where the nearby NATIONAL TRUST STOURHEAD HOUSE has been described as ‘a living work of art’. The world-famous landscape garden has at its centrepiece a magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and rare and exotic trees, and offers a day of fresh air and discovery. Uncover the fascinating history of Stourhead house with an Italian ‘Grand Tour’ adventure and enjoy the unique Regency library, Chippendale furniture and inspirational paintings. The Palladian mansion is set amid ‘picnic perfect’ lawns and extensive parkland. Explore the 2,650 acre Stourhead estate where chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland are managed for wildlife. There’s something for everyone at Stourhead, whatever the weather.
Warminster is the answer if the countryside is preferred to a city. This ancient town is a short distance of many scenic and historic attractions, whilst retaining the facilities of shopping and entertainment. There are many popular events in the town; these include a street fair, a carnival, a half-marathon, a flower show, and a bi-annual festival, as well as the usual fetes and attractions. Within a few minutes walk of the town centre there is a boating lake, putting green, hard tennis courts, and a children’s playing field with all of the usual facilities. For local history the Dewey Museum has changing displays, geological specimens, an enquiry service, shop and monthly guest speakers.
Open 7 days a week all year
HOPE NATURE CENTRE
SOUTHWICK COUNTRY PARK,FROME ROAD, SOUTHWICK, WILTSHIRE BA14 9QD
Animal Park with a variety of animals & birds Squirrels Tearoom serving homemade food
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© National Trust Images/Nick Daly. Registered Charity Number 205846.
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