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. 

Outdoors and 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 makes Devizes special. It has something for everyone; the historic Crammer Pond with Moonraker associations, a modern playground and plenty of grass for picnics and playing.

Hillworth Park provides a location map, some information on the facilities, the £1.9 million development project and many photos.

Kennet and Avon Canal  

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. A history of the canal is provided too.

Oliver's Castle and Roundway Hill

Good access from Devizes for the walker, picnicker, historian and nature lover.

Quakers Walk  foot path 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 links to 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: Two sarsen stones at Avebury, our stimulating and fascinating World heritage site near Devizes

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 on Roundway Hill. This is managed by Devizes Town Council.