Let’s go to … Devizes, Wiltshire

Tell me about it
Once a prosperous market town, Devizes is now a place most people drive past on their way elsewhere. But with a new boutique hotel and Stonehenge’s swanky visitor centre a short drive away, it’s worthy of a weekend break. Check out the handsome Georgian market square (it’s still market day on Thursdays) and medieval cobbled alleyways, and join a cracking brewery tour. Wadworth employs England’s last master cooper, and still delivers its beer around town by shire horse and dray.

Sounds like I’ll need a sample
You’re spoilt for choice. Join the Devizes Folk Club at the Lamb on St John’s Street for a pint of Wadworth’s 6X and some live music; or try The Vaults, just up the road, which serves the largest choice of beers in town.

Might want to line the stomach first …
Tuck into Peter Vaughan’s delicious food (homemade spelt bread, grilled fish and mousseline of local Bromham carrots, say) at The Bistro on Little Brittox, which is also a cooking school.

Anywhere to stay under £100?
The Peppermill, above the wine bar and cafe of the same name, also on St John’s Street, is the town’s first boutique property and just breaks the budget at £115 for a double, but you should sleep soundly on Hypnos cashmere beds, and feel cosy thanks to the big bathtub and underfloor heating. The Castle Hotel, an old coaching inn, has doubles from £85.

Anything else I should know?
It’s 15 miles to Stonehenge but Avebury (many people’s preference) is eight miles up the road. Here, the prehistoric stones surround a cute village with a thatched pub, and you can wander at will and even touch the stones.

Do I need a car?
Ideally. Otherwise it’s a train to Swindon or Chippenham with First Great Western, then a bus.