Sociocean offers a new way to network and meet others while travelling on business. It’s free to join and we aim to make your business trips more enjoyable, productive and a better all-round social experience. In this post we take a look at Devizes, Wiltshire in England.

Devizes is a market Town in the Wiltshire, England. The historic Town Centre still holds a market once a week and unlike many towns throughout the UK it has managed to maintain a network of small independent shops. So, if you get a bit of spare time during your stay in the town why not take a wander and check out a few.

Devizes doesn't have a train station. One of the nearer stations can be found in Melkham, Wiltshire and there are regular coaches from London and Bristol. Realistically, most people would be getting to Devizes by car, either via the M4/A4 or M3/A303.

Airports - The closet airports (Bristol and Heathrow, London) are both an hour and three quaters away by car. It is possible to get from/to either by Public Transport but will be significantly longer with a number of changes involved.

We always recommend hotels in the town centre where possible, it makes your time more enjoyable in the evenings if you're not out with colleagues. The two we suggest here are both in the market place itself.  

The Bear Hotel offers first class facilities, fine food and a fantastic atmosphere. 

The Castle Hotel is our second recommendation, again in the centre of Devizes itself, or if you're looking for something a bit different and a good pint, the Black Swan Inn is another option (and slightly cheaper). 

Whatever you decide make sure you look for other Sociocean members who may be staying there too. The logo can often be spotted in bars or restaurants. 

 Meeting and Conference Rooms 

Braeside Education and Conference centre is an option if you require a meeting or conference room. It's also a venue for conferences and corporate team building events if that's something of interest to you. 

The Castle and Bear Hotels mentioned above also both offer meeting facilities. 

Restaurants 

There are cafes all throughout the town centre ideal for lunch or light meals. If it’s a nice day then you can sit in the market place and watch the world go by, until it’s time to go back to work. The high street offers a variety of restaurants; Chinese, Italian, Indian or Pizza are all available, or if you prefer the hotels mentioned above all offer good food.

If you get some spare time during your business trip then, just a two minute walk from the town centre you will find the Wadworth Brewery. A Victorian brewery, built in 1885, it’s open 9am-5pm all year round and won a Green Tourism Silver Award and Bronze in the 2016 South West Tourism Excellence Awards. You can take a tour, visit the 'Breweseum' and finish it all off with a drink of course!

 Hillworth Park can be found on the southern edge of town and as well as the ornamental flower gardens has a water garden and even an aviary.

 If you've time for a walk, then Caen Hill Locks is worth a visit too, consisting of 29 locks over a distance of 4 kilometres.

Golf 

If you’ are lucky enough to have golf on the agenda of your business trip you'd need a car or taxi with North Wilts Golf club being the only very close option, offering twilight green fees if it's an after work event and visitors always welcome. It can be found on the Downs, midway between Calne and Devizes.