Devizes is an historic market town which is regularly listed as one of the UK’s favourites.

In the heart of Wiltshire, the town is near Salisbury Plain and while possessing a charm and appeal in and of itself also acts as a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.

Such is the town’s appeal that London Economic named Devizes its top pick in a 2021 list of the 10 best places to live, describing it as the “West Country’s best kept secret”.

Pub-goers will feel particularly at home here as there are 14 traditional watering holes and the world famous Wadworth Brewery, a proud, family run brewer established in the town in 1875.

It offers a wide range, from traditional ales such as 6X, hailed as “the stuff of legends”, to “winter warmer” Old Timer and seasonals such as Dirty Rucker and Amarillo Gold.

Devizes has plenty of eateries to choose from too, including The Black Swan Hotel which offers a range of dishes from beer battered cod and triple cooked chips to an 8oz flat iron steak to Buffalo chicken caesar salad.

There’s also veggie-friendly eatery, The New Society, in the Market Place and nearby Tea Inc, which is an alternative to the traditional “chintzy” tearoom. An afternoon tea for two here costs £16.50 per person and includes a choice of loose leaf teas or coffee, sandwiches, cakes and warm, homemade scones.

The Peppermill also offers afternoon tea, as well as bottomless brunches, lunch, buffet and a la carte menus. The lunch menu includes classic dishes such as pan seared liver and bacon, fish of the day and haddock and chips.

Devizes’ High Street has a range of independent shops, such as Joan Pressley Hats, The Emporium gift shop and and Elm Tree Antiques, to name just a few.

Arguably, the biggest event in the town is Devizes Carnival Parade, which is staged every summer and has been drawing the crowds for more than 100 years. And if festivals are your thing, then the town is just for you, with an arts festival, beer festival, comedy festival and food and drink festival.

Devizes Arts Festival, which is run by volunteers, draws performers from around the country, with its mix of classical music, jazz, rock, blues and roots. There are also talks, walks, comedy and film nights.

For an overnight stay or longer, the town has a range of accommodation on offer as well, with The Pelican Inn, The Bear Hotel, The Black Swan Inn, The Peppermill Hotel, Castle Hotel and Blounts Court Farm listed among Booking.com’s top spots.

Sites in and around Devizes include the Kennet and Avon canal, which has a staggering 29 locks at the Caen Hill flight, Wiltshire Museum and the Avebury stone circle, as well as Stonehenge of course.

But milling around the town and its Market Place soaking up the atmosphere and admiring its 50-plus listed buildings is equally as nice.

The nearest train station to Devizes is Melksham, about seven miles away. The bus from Melksham takes about half an hour. There are also coaches to Devizes from London Victoria Coach Station.

By car, Devizes can be reached from London via the M4 and A4, which takes you through Marlborough, which is another town well worth a visit.

From Bristol, follow the A420 to Chippenham then head onto the London Road and stay on the A342 which takes you into Devizes. The journey from Birmingham takes about two hours five minutes on the M5 and A417 to Midland Road in Cirencester, then via the B4696, B4005, A4361, A361, A342 and A360.