The Devizes Assize Court in Wiltshire is a Grade II* listed former courthouse built in 1835 in an imposing Greek Revival style. Designed by architect Thomas Henry Wyatt and constructed in Bath stone, its grand portico with Ionic columns and pediment dominates the façade. Historically, this building was central to Wiltshire’s judicial life, hosting seasonal assize trials in the 19th century and even the first meeting of Wiltshire County Council in 1889. Notable criminal cases were heard within its walls, including the infamous Constance Kent murder trial of 1865.
After the courts closed in the 1980s, the landmark lay derelict for decades, its once-stately halls falling into disrepair. By the 2000s it was listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register, a stark reminder of its deteriorating condition. For the local community, the Assize Court has long been a much-loved but forlorn monument in need of rescue. Its architectural pedigree and rich history made it a prime candidate for preservation if a viable new use and funding could be found.
Today, an ambitious project is underway to breathe new life into Devizes Assize Court. The plan, called “Assizes for Devizes: Unlocking Wiltshire’s Stories,” will transform the derelict 19th-century courthouse into the new home of the Wiltshire Museum and a vibrant community hub. The Wiltshire Museum, currently housed in a much smaller building in town, holds nationally important archaeological collections including treasures from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site but lacks space to properly showcase them.
Relocating the museum to the spacious Assize Court will allow for stunning new galleries and exhibits that do justice to these collections. Plans include creating dedicated learning and event spaces, a café, and public gardens on the grounds, amenities impossible in the museum’s old facility. In essence, the goal is to adapt the historic courthouse into a 21st-century cultural venue that honours its heritage while serving new generations.
Crucially, the project balances preservation with sensitive new construction. Purcell, an architecture practice renowned for conservation, has developed designs that blend conservation, sustainability and new build interventions to create a museum that is inviting and inclusive. Two modern wings are planned on the footprint of old extensions that were demolished long ago, providing contemporary galleries and visitor facilities while respecting the original fabric. The historic courtroom interiors including old holding cells beneath the main hall will be restored and repurposed for exhibitions and interactive displays.
Wherever possible, original features will be retained or repaired, from the Bath stone exterior to interior woodwork and ironmongery. At the same time, the building will be discreetly upgraded to meet modern standards. For example, the design introduces full accessibility by installing lifts and a Changing Places restroom for disabled visitors so that the entire site can welcome everyone. Up-to-date museum environmental controls will also be integrated to protect artefacts. This careful meshing of old and new is intended to save the building’s character while making it functional for decades to come, a complex technical challenge in any major heritage redevelopment.
Adaptive reuse of the Assize Court comes with strong sustainability ambitions. Reclaiming and retrofitting an existing structure avoids the high carbon cost of new-build construction, aligning with a green approach to heritage. The project team has emphasised environmental performance alongside conservation. Purcell’s plans call for an inclusive, sustainable venue that dramatically improves the building’s energy efficiency. Although detailed sustainability measures are still being finalised pending funding and technical surveys, the intent is to significantly reduce the courthouse’s environmental footprint. Upgrades will likely include high-performance insulation discreetly added to the roof and floors, energy-efficient lighting and climate control systems, and possibly onsite renewables or heat pumps to provide low-carbon heating and cooling.
The new extension wings offer an opportunity to employ sustainable construction materials and even Passivhaus-inspired design features. In a parallel heritage project in Hull, a new maritime museum visitor centre is being built to rigorous Passivhaus standards as a national first, a sign that such technical innovation can be successfully melded with heritage contexts. In Devizes, while the Grade II* listed status imposes limits on altering the historic fabric, the team’s philosophy is to embed long-term sustainability wherever possible, making the revitalised museum as energy-efficient and low-carbon as a historic building can feasibly be.
From the outset, community engagement has been at the heart of this project. The Devizes Assize Court Trust, a charitable trust formed in 2018 to save the building, acquired the courthouse and partnered with the Wiltshire Museum on the vision for its reuse. Together they have actively involved local residents, heritage groups, and other stakeholders in shaping the plans. Public consultations and outreach programmes have gathered input on what stories and features people want to see in the new museum. As a result, the scheme emphasises community uses, not only will it be a museum but also a venue for events, arts, education and civic gatherings. “The project is rooted in the team’s collaboration with the museum and community groups to restore the Assize Courts into a vibrant new museum teeming with community activities,” noted Clare Phillips, Purcell’s conservation architect on the project. This engagement has helped build local excitement and a sense of ownership around the development.
Public support has also been tangible in fundraising. In addition to an initial National Lottery Heritage Fund development grant of £300,000 in 2023, the project has attracted private philanthropic grants notably £1 million in early 2025 from the Rothschild Foundation and Julia and Hans Rausing Trust. These donations were a major boost, celebrated by the museum team and community. When £1m in grants came through, David Dawson, director of Wiltshire Museum, said: “People in the office know when there’s good news as they hear a shout, and this time they heard two shouts,”.
Even with that infusion, several million pounds still need to be raised to fully fund the restoration. The positive response so far, from lottery players to local supporters and national charities, indicates broad confidence in the project’s value to the public. Local media and officials have also championed the scheme, seeing it as a catalyst for Devizes. Once complete, the new museum hub is expected to increase year-round footfall in the town and support the wider local economy. Community-led efforts to save a beloved landmark are thus on track to yield both cultural and economic dividends.
After years of groundwork, the project recently hit a pivotal milestone. In August 2025, Wiltshire Council granted full planning permission and listed building consent for the Assize Court’s restoration and redevelopment. This green light from the planning authorities marks the culmination of an extensive design and review process and officially approves the proposed changes to this protected historic structure. Securing these consents was essential, given the courthouse’s listed status and prominent location, and the approval was unanimous. The planning decision was celebrated as a huge milestone for Devizes and a real vote of confidence in the town’s future. It affirms that the scheme meets both conservation standards and community needs. Caroline Kay, Chair of Wiltshire Museum, called the approval an essential enabling step that moves the project and its supporters to a position of confidence that this is deliverable for the people of Devizes, Wiltshire and beyond. In practical terms, the permission means the museum and trust can now press ahead to the next phase, applying for major Delivery Phase funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other sources with all necessary consents in hand. It also allows preliminary works to begin on site once funding is secured.
The building’s derelict state still presents technical hurdles, from structural defects to water damage and decades of decay that must be remedied. The design and engineering teams have conducted extensive surveys including structural assessments and even bat surveys in the roof to inform the restoration approach. There were also financial challenges: assembling a viable funding package for a multi-million-pound restoration has been a project unto itself, involving multiple grant applications and donations. Patience has been essential. Years of behind-the-scenes work on plans and fundraising were needed before any construction cranes could appear on the horizon. With planning approval achieved, the project is now poised to move into its implementation stage. The Wiltshire Museum and Assize Court Trust aim to finalise funding by 2026, after which construction can commence in earnest. If all goes to plan, the rejuvenated Devizes Assize Court is projected to open its doors in 2030. At that moment, a building that has stood silent for 40 years will be reborn as a cultural beacon at the heart of the town.
