Devizes Castle
Wiltshire, England
Photo: Brian Robert Marshall, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Michael Dibb, CC BY-SA 2.0 ยท hugh llewelyn, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Private owner (garden tours run by Wiltshire Museum)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Limited tour days
- Note
- The castle itself is a private residence with no general public access; the gardens are opened for scheduled, ticketed tours run by Wiltshire Museum.
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check with the operator before you travel.
The times last taken from Private owner (garden tours run by Wiltshire Museum) have not been rechecked since the season changed, so they are not shown. Private owner (garden tours run by Wiltshire Museum) publishes the current ones.
Visitor essentials
- Facilities
- No on-site facilities; garden tours meet at Wiltshire Museum on Long Street, which has its own cafe and toilets.
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, built the first castle here around 1080; after it burned down, Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, rebuilt it in stone by 1120, and it became a royal stronghold fought over by King Stephen and Empress Matilda. Parliament dismantled it after the Civil War in 1648, and the castellated mansion visitors see today is a Victorian rebuild from around 1840. It remains a private home, but Wiltshire Museum runs scheduled tours of the castle gardens.
At a glance
Who to know
Roger, Bishop of Salisbury · rebuilt the castle in stone by 1120
Worth the trip
The town of Devizes takes its own name from the castle's Latin name, "Castrum ad Divisas" - the castle at the boundaries.
Before you go
There's no general public access to the house, but Wiltshire Museum runs ticketed garden tours starting from the museum itself; the gardens are on a slope with uneven ground and no wheelchair access.
Getting in - what Private owner (garden tours run by Wiltshire Museum) says
Private residence; no walk-in access. Wiltshire Museum runs occasional ticketed garden tours, meeting at the museum, that walk to the castle gardens. Gardens on a slope, uneven ground, no wheelchair or buggy access, unsuitable for young children.
Taken from Private owner (garden tours run by Wiltshire Museum)’s own website and read 14 September 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury · c. 1080; rebuilt in stone by 1120; rebuilt again c. 1840
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, built the first motte-and-bailey castle here around 1080; it burned down in 1113 and Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, rebuilt it in stone by 1120. It served as a royal stronghold under Henry I and was fought over by King Stephen and Empress Matilda in the 1130s, later holding prisoners including Robert Curthose. Henry VIII gave it to Catherine of Aragon and reclaimed it after their divorce. Parliamentary forces besieged the Royalist-held castle in 1643 and were defeated at the Battle of Roundway Down, but Cromwell's army took it in 1645, and Parliament ordered it dismantled in 1648. Valentine Leach bought the site in 1838 and commissioned architect Henry Goodridge to build the current castellated Neo-Norman and Gothic Revival house, completed around 1840.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Common questions about Devizes Castle
Where is Devizes Castle?
Devizes Castle is in Wiltshire, England.
How do you visit Devizes Castle?
Devizes Castle opens on limited tour days rather than every day, and is looked after by Private owner (garden tours run by Wiltshire Museum). Because the dates are restricted, check the official site and book ahead before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Devizes Castle?
The town of Devizes takes its own name from the castle's Latin name, "Castrum ad Divisas" - the castle at the boundaries.
Is Devizes Castle a ruin or still intact?
Devizes Castle is largely intact - The castle itself is a private residence with no general public access; the gardens are opened for scheduled, ticketed tours run by Wiltshire Museum.