‘Assizes for Devizes’ aims to create a cultural and community destination at the heart of Wiltshire, supporting tourism and the regeneration of the local area. Essential conservation works to the Assize Court will enable the revitalisation of the building. The project’s architects, Purcell, and our supportive team of heritage and industry professionals, have worked closely with the Museum, the Devizes Assize Court Trust and local organisations, to bring to building back to life.

The plans include two large, designated learning and event spaces, new interactive galleries, a special display space capable of hosting national-standard exhibitions, and a café that makes use of the new open space behind the Assize Court. Wheelchair ramps, lifts and disabled toilets will make the museum an accessible space for all visitors. A Planning application has now been submitted uploaded to Wiltshire Council’s website for comment.

In order to apply for the Full National Lottery grant will need provide the additional match-funding needed. Over the next 6 months, we will be preparing applications to more Trusts and Foundations, as well as seeking support from philanthropists and benefactors, to provide the additional match-funding needed.

At present, we have raised our first million towards the project. The Museum is delighted to have received two pledges from major foundations in late 2024. The Rothschild Foundation and The Julia Rausing Trust have both awarded £500,000 towards the restoration of the Assize Court building as the new, sustainable, home for the Museum.

If you are you able to help us with support, that could be transformational in achieving our project aims, then please contact David Dawson, our Director, on 01380 727369 or david.dawson@www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk.

Martin Nye, Chair of Wiltshire Museum, said “We are delighted that the Heritage Fund have supported our project to restore this wonderful building and give a home that is fit for purpose for the award-winning Wiltshire Museum. We are all excited by the opportunity to connect the Assize Court building to the rest of Devizes, and to create a vibrant destination for the very wide range of visitors who come from far and wide to see our marvellous collections.”

Peter Troughton, Chair of the Devizes Assize Court Trust, said “This fantastic news is a vital and hugely encouraging step on the long journey to giving a new life to this important building. The financial help that the project has received to date has been invaluable, enabling us to get to where we are today. Our thanks to Historic England, Devizes Town Council, a number of charitable trusts and individuals who have made this possible.”

Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said “We believe that investing in heritage means investing in the community it belongs to. It has the power to make our communities better places to live, bring a sense of pride and boost the local economy. We’re pleased to support Wilshire Museum with their Assizes for Devizes project. It will not only see a Grade II* listed building brought back to life but also create a space for the community and a new home for the Wiltshire Museum. We look forward to working with the team to progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.”

Notes for Editors

• Wiltshire Museum is home to the best Bronze Age archaeology collection in Britain and our mission statement is ‘Inspiring people to explore the archaeology, history and environment of Wiltshire’.  The collections are Designated by Government as being of National Significance.  Wiltshire Museum is an independent charity, with some revenue funding from Wiltshire Council and Devizes Town Council.  The Museum is run by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WANHS), a registered charity founded in 1853.
• The Wiltshire Museum has been engaging visitors since 1874 in its current buildings on Long Street, Devizes and is home to Designated collections, including stunning treasures from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site landscape.
• The Devizes Assize Court was built in 1835 and has been derelict since the 1980s.  It has been on Historic England ‘Heritage At Risk register’ since the scheme’s inception in 1988.
• The Devizes Assize Court Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation set up in 2018 to restore the historic and much-loved building before it is too late. It purchased the building in 2018 and, working closely together, the Museum and DACT have developed the Assizes for Devizes project to rescue the historic building and transform the Wiltshire Museum.
• The Development Stage is also supported by funding from Devizes Town Council, Dulverton Trust, Pilgrim Trust, Swire Charitable Trust, Trust for Devizes, Wiltshire Council - Devizes Area Board.