One of the UK’s prettiest market towns to get £1million attration revamp

THE beautiful market town of Devizes in Wiltshire is getting a new look.

The Wiltshire Museum is getting a £1million revamp to restore the he Devizes Assize Court attraction that has been derelict since the 1980s.

Wiltshire Museum has received £1million towards restoring the Grade II listed building.

Once used was used to hear both civil and criminal cases, including the most serious offences, from 1835 to 1971.

Now, it's expected to reopen in 2030 as the new home of Wiltshire Museum, which is currently 10 minutes down the road on Long Street.

David Dawson, director of Wiltshire Museum, said on BBC Radio Wiltshire: "People in the office know when there's good news as they hear a shout, and this time they heard two shouts when I found out.

"It is fabulous news for us. We are applying to the National Lottery Heritage Fund this year, but in order for the project to happen we need to raise much more money as well."

With the grants being successful, work is expected to start in 2026.

As for the Devizes Assize Court, Mr Dawson said that the building will be "completely transformed" and will become a "major attraction" and that "revitalising that part of Devizes" will bring in visitors.

The Wiltshire Museum, located just off the high street, first opened in 1874 and is famous for having some of the best Bronze Age archaeology collections in Britain.

The museum also regularly holds events, exhibitions and tours and has guests come in to hold various sessions too, from history to art.

It's also home to the local archive, art gallery and library.

The Wiltshire market town of Devizes is regularly listed as one of the UK's favourites.

From the prettiest, to lively and quintessential, Devizes has long been a UK favourite, and it's not hard to see why.

The town dates back to Medieval times and even has its own castle that you can admire from afar as it's not open to the public

Caen Hill Locks is one of the biggest attractions in Devizes - there are 29 locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal, between Rowde and Devizes.

You can walk the length of the Caen Hill Locks in 90 minutes to see narrow boats and sprawling countryside.

To see the locks in action then the best time to visit is in the summer when there's more boating activity.

The town is also home to Wadworth Brewery, an independent family regional brewer and pub that first opened in 1875.

For £30, the brewery holds an 'Ale Trail' around the town where you learn how the different ales are made, and all about the brewing process - which includes a taste test.