Devizes, a market town in the English county of Wiltshire, is a small town (approximately 15,000 residents), is home to much commonly associated with larger cities; the town has grown around a medieval Norman castle, and has a bustling market and many professional businesses and specialty shops. Being compact, with narrow medieval corridors, Devizes encourages walking about its ancient corridors.
Being focused on the local market, Devizes offers much to sample on one's stroll, from fine, local treats to the wares of a local, independent Brewery (Wadworth). The many beautiful gardens are but a prelude to the breathtaking countryside, containing much of what travelers often envision in their romantic visions of Britain; friendly pubs, beautiful cottage homes, breathtaking waterways, and amicable locals.
For cultural immersion, why not enjoy the Christmas festival? This colorful procession brings out the lights in everyone, both metaphorically and literally, given the quality of decorum displayed in the average gathering. The yearly street festival is perhaps even more engaging, culminating in a late summer carnival that can be said to celebrate the human spirit. Like so much in the rural countryside, the festival and carnival depend heavily upon local volunteerism, both financially and, more importantly, in the talent invested. One can visit many locales with "professional" entertainment, but they often cannot compare with such local spirit.
Devizes has a variety of eateries, including may fine pubs, which often provide excellent, reasonably priced local fare to go with the excellent Ale. Of course, Devizes is also home to an array of food choices, ranging from Indian to Italian. Of course, one cannot ignore the staple Fish and Chips, which are of course excellent and plentiful.
After dining and roaming the timeless streets, unwind at the Wharf Theatre, which provides local talent with an excellent stage, and an equally fine venue for enjoying such theatrics.
If one tires of Devizes (which is not likely), the town is a true hub of Wiltshire, and can offer a strategic staging point for forays into the countryside, including the many historic, pre-Norman (and in some cases Bronze Age) sites, most of which are carefully preserved and appreciated. London, Liverpool, and Glasgow may be known as major attractions on Britain, but if one finds Devizes first, those cities may soon be forgotten by the enthralled traveler, wandering the timeless streets of this Wiltshire beauty.
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