Derelict Devizes Courthouse to Be Transformed into £14.5m Wiltshire Museum

Work to transform a long-derelict courthouse in Devizes into the new home of Wiltshire Museum is expected to begin within weeks, marking a major step forward for the £14.5 million redevelopment project.

The Grade II* listed Assize Court, built in 1835, has stood unused since closing in the 1980s. The historic building is now set to be restored and given a new purpose as a museum, with reopening planned for 2030.

The project aims to create a modern cultural attraction while preserving an important piece of Wiltshire's architectural heritage. Once completed, the building will become the main home of Wiltshire Museum, which currently operates from a smaller premises in Devizes.

Museum director David Dawson said the project was approaching an exciting stage, with initial preparation work expected to begin over the coming weeks.

Planning permission for the restoration was granted by Wiltshire Council in August 2025, allowing the ambitious plans to move forward.

The new museum is expected to provide significantly improved exhibition facilities, giving visitors more opportunities to explore the county's history and archaeological discoveries. Wiltshire Museum is particularly well known for its collections of gold objects discovered in burial sites near Stonehenge.

Dawson said the restored building would provide a state-of-the-art exhibition gallery with carefully controlled conditions, allowing the museum to borrow objects from national collections throughout the year. This could bring new and significant historical artefacts to Wiltshire for visitors to see.

Education will also play an important role in the redevelopment. Plans include dedicated facilities for schools, creating more opportunities for children and young people to learn about local history, archaeology and the county's cultural heritage.

Alongside its exhibition galleries, the new museum will feature a cafe, learning facilities, a flexible event space and gardens. These additions are intended to make the site a welcoming destination for residents, families, schools and visitors to Devizes.

The museum's existing premises will continue to play an important role after the move. Dawson explained that the current building does not have enough space to display or accommodate all the museum's collections, meaning it will become a collections discovery centre where people can research and explore historical material.

He also highlighted the museum's long connection with the town, saying the organisation had been based in Devizes for 150 years and hoped to remain part of the community for generations to come.

The £14.5 million redevelopment is being supported by fundraising efforts, with more than £12.5 million reportedly secured so far. The trust is continuing to apply for grants to cover the remaining funding gap.

Dawson said the team was confident the outstanding amount would be raised before the money was needed to meet the project's costs.

The initial enabling works are expected to take approximately 12 weeks, with contractors due to begin work on site in the new year. These preparations will help pave the way for the main restoration programme.

Nicholas Elliott, a trustee of Devizes Assize Court Trust, described the start of the preparation work as an exciting moment for the project. He said the derelict building had been a blight on the area for years and believed its redevelopment would give the community something to be proud of.

If delivered as planned, the transformation will give a long-neglected historic landmark a new lease of life, while creating a major cultural and educational destination for Wiltshire.

With the planned reopening in 2030, the project represents a significant investment in Devizes' heritage and the future of Wiltshire Museum, bringing together historic architecture, archaeological collections and modern visitor facilities under one roof.