Open Spaces, Heritage Sites and Natural Areas around Devizes
Devizes is blessed with its natural environment. It is situated on an upland plateau 120 m above sea level. To the north and east is the North Wessex Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB).
We are surrounded by very beautiful chalk land scenery which support a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. The Kennet and Avon Canal runs through this area and it provides a wonderful boating, walking and cycling corridor for residents and tourists alike. Photogallery of Outdoor Devizes - our natural heritage..
The World Heritage Site at Avebury is only 7 miles away with its prehistoric circles, Silbury Hill and the West Kennet Stone avenue. The Ridgeway National Trail starts from near the Sanctuary on Overton Hill on the A4 near Avebury.
Open Space Links
Devizes Millennium White Horse
Devizes to Westminster Canoe race - every Easter weekend.
Drew's Pond Woods Nature Reserve A beautiful woodland area with footpaths, picnic facilities, wild flowers, a lake and stream.
Fyfield Down - has natural Sarsen stones which show what the prehistoric landscape was like and how the stones were accessible for circle and avenue construction.
the Green, Devizes this wonderful open space at the centre of Devizes has something for everyone; the historic Crammer Pond with Moonraker associations, a modern playground and plenty of grass for picnics and playing.
Hillworth Park This links to the excellent Devizes Council's Gazetteer on Hillworth Park. This gives the history and photos of Hillworth House, the grade 2* Garden Pavilion and the park from about 1737.
The Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes was completed in 1810 providing a water trade link between Bristol and London, now a wonderful recreational resource.
Oliver's Castle and Roundway Hill Good access from Devizes for the walker, picnicker, historian and nature lover.
Quakers Walk footpath leads to open country and Roundway Hill. It is the subject of intense public concern about development in Devizes.
The Wansdyke- an enigmatic 5th century AD ditch and bank, 72 km long. It provides a diverse range of recreational opportunities around Devizes and the Pewsey Valley.
General linksto Wiltshire wide outdoor websites Links
Below: The stream that fills Drew's Pond - in winter snow
Below:Oliver's castle the iron age fort's trees with Morgan's Hill behind. This site is well used for family picnics, nature enjoyment, kite flying and model glider flying. |
Above: Sarsen stones on National Trust property near Lockeridge
Below: Bluebells in May in West Wood near Lockeridge.
Why not talk to Devizes Heritage?
Please contact Devizes Heritage to add corrections to any of these pages. You may wish to suggest new material and contribute your own photos. Please use the Contact page.
Below the woodland in Leipzig plantation
|
Below poppies on Oliver's castle hill fort.
Below Footpath from Oliver's castle road to Roundway covert
