Devizes Castle, Wiltshire
The original Devizes Castle was built in 1080 AD by Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury. This wooden castle burnt down in 1113 and was rebuilt in stone around 1120 by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury.
History
During the English Civil War, Devizes Castle was occupied by Royalist troops. In 1645, Oliver Cromwell’s forces, accompanied by heavy artillery, invaded the town and laid siege to the castle, which surrendered after a bombardment. In May 1648, the castle was dismantled on the heels of a Parliamentary Order, a process known as slighting.
The Victorian-era ‘castle’ we see today (see below) is Neo-Norman/Gothic in style and was built by the Leach family in the 19th century.
Entrance to the castle
Devizes Castle is now privately owned and is not accessible to visitors. Visitors to Devizes may also want to visit the nearby Avebury Stone Circle, Lacock Abbey, or Great Chalfield Manor. The Wadworth Brewery and Wiltshire Museum are further attractions in this pretty market town.
If you wish to stay in Devizes there are a number of accommodation options. These include the five-star Peppermill Hotel, the three Bear Hotel, and the Castle Hotel, also three stars.
The pretty town of Devizes in Wiltshire, England
Access – Getting There
Castle Grounds
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1HL
Devizes is on the A360 and also the A361. From Bath, the town is around 40 minutes east by car on the A365 or A361. The town is no longer on the UK rail network.
Written in 2011 by John Westby
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