HILLWORTH PARK, DEVIZES
When people ask me what makes Devizes such a lovely place to live, it is often the everyday things that immediately spring to mind.
Yes, Devizes has its beautiful Market Place, independent shops, historic buildings, cafés, canal walks and wonderful sense of community. But it is also places such as Hillworth Park that make living here feel particularly special.
Hillworth Park has been one of my family’s favourite places in Devizes for many years. It is somewhere we have visited through different stages of family life, from those early days of chasing little ones around the play area to picnics, ice creams, dog walks and community events.
It is a genuine local gem and now it has officially been recognised as one of the best parks in the country.
A beautiful green space in the heart of Devizes
Tucked between Hillworth Road and Queens Road, Hillworth Park feels wonderfully peaceful while still being close to the centre of Devizes. (View location map here)
There is a large open lawn with plenty of room to spread out a picnic blanket, let the children run around or simply sit and enjoy the surroundings. The park’s magnificent mature trees provide welcome shade on warm summer days and create a beautiful backdrop throughout the seasons.
Whether you visit with young children, teenagers, grandparents, friends or the family dog, there is space to slow down, relax and enjoy being outdoors.
Hillworth Park began as part of the private landscaped grounds of Hillworth House. The land came into the ownership of Devizes Town Council in 1945, with around five acres eventually retained as the public park enjoyed today. Its historic features include the restored ha-ha and a Grade II* listed garden pavilion, believed to have been built between 1740 and 1759.
Brilliant play areas for children of different ages
One of the things I have always loved about Hillworth Park is that it caters for children at different stages.
There is a fantastic play area designed with younger children in mind, including plenty to keep under-fives entertained. Having a dedicated space for little ones makes it feel far more manageable when you are visiting with toddlers and preschool children.
Older children have not been forgotten either. There is more adventurous play equipment, including the ever-popular zip wire, as well as plenty of space to meet friends and burn off some energy.
It is one of those rare places where children of different ages can all find something they enjoy — making it ideal for families, siblings and groups of friends.
Sport, exercise and plenty of space to be active
Hillworth Park is not simply somewhere to sit and admire the flowers — although there are plenty of lovely places to do that too!
There is an enclosed multi-use games area for football and basketball, as well as a tennis court which is free to use without advance booking. Outdoor gym equipment provides another way to exercise in the fresh air, whether you are adding a little activity to your dog walk or attempting a proper workout.
The combination of sport, play and open green space makes the park just as appealing to older children and adults as it is to younger families.
A picnic, a coffee and perhaps an ice cream…
Of course, every good trip to the park is improved by something delicious.
The park café is now home to Soupchick, serving tasty food, drinks and treats in a lovely setting overlooking the park. There are options for children, plenty of tempting choices for adults and, importantly in our household, ice creams.
Even four legged family members are catered for with doggie ice creams!
The café and Park Centre sit close to the historic pavilion, water feature and landscaped planting, creating a particularly pretty place to stop for coffee or lunch while the children play nearby.
Don’t forget to visit the aviary
Another much loved feature of Hillworth Park is its bird aviary.
The aviary has long been one of the most popular reasons people visit the park and is home to a variety of birds, including budgerigars, cockatiels, finches and quail. It adds something a little different to a day at the park and is always a favourite with children.
It is often the smaller details like this that make Hillworth feel like much more than an ordinary neighbourhood park.
Events that bring the Devizes community together
Hillworth Park is also at the heart of many community events throughout the year.
The programme changes from season to season, but previous and planned activities have included outdoor cinema evenings, Proms in the Park, children’s concerts, family entertainment and summer sports sessions. The official park website describes it as a regular part of the local social calendar, with both recurring activities and special one-off events.
There have also been Christmas activities, outdoor yoga and other events that encourage people of all ages to enjoy the park.
There is something especially lovely about seeing families and friends arriving with picnic blankets and chairs, finding a spot beneath the trees and enjoying music or a film together. These are the moments that create a real sense of belonging — and that is something Devizes does particularly well.
Events at Hillworth Park 2026
Date: Wednesday 12th and 19th August
Time: 9-10am (Ages 5-7 Years) - 10:30-12pm (Ages 8+)
Hillworth Park have partnered with District Sports South to bring summer sports sessions to the park
A family run business, District Sports is passionate about improving health and fitness for all ages and abilities. Their coaches are DBS checked and certified in Safeguarding and First Aid.
Tickets must be pre-booked and you can book your tickets here
Meet Stitch & Bluey at Hillworth Park
Date: Friday, 21st August
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Please note the car park will be closed for this event
Meet Bluey and Stitch in the park and join in an afternoon of fun, with the Smile squad mascots, Devizes Books, Arty Kids Pottery Painting, and Crazy Cheeks Face Painting
Devizes Town Band’s Children’s Proms in the Park
Date: Sunday, 23rd August
Time: 2:00 PM
Come dressed up in your favourite fancy dress (costumes are encouraged!) and enjoy a fantastic, free concert featuring iconic music from your favourite children's films!
Twilight Cinema - Jurassic Park
Date: Saturday, 12th September
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the film will begin around 8-8:30 PM, depending on daylight conditions. Please arrive by 8PM.
Grab your blankets and chairs, settle in under the stars, and get ready to experience the excitement of Jurassic Park on the big screen.
Date: Sunday, 13th September
Time: 2:00 PM
Devizes Town Band is rolling out the red carpet for 'Proms in the Park'. Mark your calendars for the grand return of Devizes Town Band on Sunday, September 13th with the classic 'Proms' event, promising a symphony of delightful melodies. Pack up your tribe, grab your flags, chairs, a cozy blanket, and a picnic spread.
Hillworth Park retains its Green Flag Award
In July 2026, Hillworth Park was officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks after retaining its prestigious Green Flag Award for the 13th consecutive year.
It is now one of 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK to hold the award. The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised benchmark celebrating publicly accessible parks that meet high standards of management, maintenance and visitor experience.
Receiving the award for thirteen years running is a remarkable achievement and a wonderful reflection of the dedication shown by the Devizes Town Council Open Spaces Team.
As someone who regularly visits the park, the care that goes into it is clear. The lawns, trees, planting, play areas and facilities are beautifully maintained, helping the park feel welcoming and well cared for throughout the year.
Why places like Hillworth Park matter when choosing a home
When searching for a new home, it is natural to focus on bedrooms, gardens, kitchens, schools and commuting distances.
But the lifestyle surrounding a property matters just as much.
Being able to walk to a beautiful park, meet friends for coffee, take the children to play or enjoy a community event can transform how it feels to live somewhere. These are the amenities that become part of everyday family life and often provide some of the memories we treasure most.
For families considering moving to Devizes, Hillworth Park is a wonderful example of what the town offers: history, green space, facilities for all ages and a warm community atmosphere.
And for homeowners thinking of selling in Devizes, having places like this nearby forms an important part of your property’s wider lifestyle story. Buyers are not simply purchasing four walls, they are imagining their weekends, school holidays, dog walks, family picnics and everyday routines.
That is why, when I market a home, I love to talk about the local lifestyle as well as the property itself.
Visiting Hillworth Park in Devizes
Hillworth Park can be accessed from the Hillworth Road and Queens Road sides of the park. There is a small car park reached from Queens Road, although spaces are limited, so walking to the park is often the easiest option for those living nearby. Public toilets at the Park Centre include an accessible Changing Places facility.
Event dates and cafe opening hours can change, so it is worth checking the Hillworth Park or Devizes Town Council pages before making a special journey.
It is a place filled with memories, where children can play, families can gather and the Devizes community can come together. Its latest Green Flag Award is thoroughly deserved — and I feel incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful space here in our town.
