Devizes

On a hillside near the town is a flight of 29 locks the longest in Britain which carries the Kennet and Avon Canal over the 230ft Caen Hill.

The old market town became very important when the Norman castle was built which was later destroyed by Cromwell, and in the 19th century a crenellated building was built on the same site.

Some of the buildings date from the 16th century as does the Elm Tree Inn. There are many 18th century buildings including Brownstone House, Wool Hall and Greystone House and the Bear Hotel.

Devizes is unusual in that it has three attractive churches.

In the market place is the cross which was erected in 1814 has an interesting tale to tell. Ruth Pierce apparently asked Heaven to strike her dead if she lied during a quarrel over money. Heaven obliged ‘She instantly fell and expired’ reads the inscription’.

St James Church has a handsome late Perpendicular tower, but the church was mainly rebuilt in 1832.