Devizes, The Caen Hill Flight 1898
Photo ref: 42320
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This set of 16 locks is part of the famous flight of 29 at Caen Hill. These locks are so close together that in order to maintain a satisfactory supply of water, it was necessary to extend the canal at the left-hand side above each chamber. These are known as side ponds. Each time the flight is operated, 11 million gallons of water disappear downhill!

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Milestones of Engineering

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Canals and Waterways

Peaceful and thought-provoking scenes of life down by the water.

A Selection of Memories from Devizes

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Devizes

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

My Husband can remember going to a Sweet Shop in Devizes that was owned by his Aunt & Uncle. He says it was in the High Street Devizes. He can remember stepping up into it. We can find no trace of it. His Aunt & Uncle were Doris and Allen Jeffery. 1950/60's Can anyone remember this shop. Verity Jeffery
I've loved reading all the memories of Devizes. I feel it's so important to document everyday history such as this. On that note, I am a writer of a blog called Weird Wiltshire. I write about the history, folklore and ghost stories of Wiltshire and beyond. I'm currently putting together an article about Devizes. There are plenty of ghostly stories! But, the tales I really want to tell are about people's personal stories and ...see more
I don't have a memory of Devizes, but I do have a memory of a girl that I am sure moved there, Potterne, from Wokingham, her name is Jennifer, I think her married name is Ball nee House and lived/lives in Firs Hill Way, in the mid 60s she had beautiful red hair but liked it black, worked at London Bottle Closures, had a friend with the nickname beatle and I think her Mums name was Queenie, if anyone knows her then please ask her to contact Dennis at, whitleyite@gmail.com
It was wonderful to read about a place still dear to my heart. I lived in Devizes from about 3yrs old to almost 9yrs. My older sister went to the Grammar School after St. Peter's, you may even have met her, Elizabeth Guy. I went to St. Peter's and just before we moved my brother Anthony also attended. We lived in part of a very large house at the end of Hillworth Road - Moorlands - and so were on the edge of ...see more