The New Society cafe in Devizes
ANY boaters cruising the Kennet & Avon Canal past Devizes would do well to moor up and linger awhile. There are pleasant things to see and do in this quaint historical market town.
The farmers’ market is held each Thursday and it’s well worth a visit. Given the slow pace of narrowboating, a worthy mantra would be ‘Going Nowhere Slowly’ and it, too, fits superbly the pace of life in Devizes. If you’re cruising east and have just completed the challenging Caen Hill Flight, there’s even more reason to stop and relax.
With this in mind and if you’re moored up in Devizes, I’d suggest you take a stroll from the wharf to a very special fully licensed venue called New Society.
It’s easy to find, perhaps a 10-minute walk at most.
From the wharf you go straight down Couch Lane and then at New Park Street (A361) you cross at the pedestrian lights and continue along Snuff Street until you reach the Market Place. As you round the corner on the left, you can’t miss New Society. It’s more than just a cafe, it’s also a lounge and bar, serving breakfasts, lunches and dinner.
Owner and proprietor Paivi
Mutikainen manages this delightful establishment and together with her ever- friendly staff, she’s invariably in attendance. The décor and welcoming ambience reflect her high standards. Paivi is also an accomplished artist and some of her works can be seen on display.
New Society boasts an extensive daytime menu and a separate equally extensive evening menu. The daytime menu offers a mouth- watering selection of breakfasts and mains. These are complemented by an omelette and jacket potato bar, paninis, sandwiches, salad bar and a children’s menu. The evening menu’s mains afford one a choice of 11 different options, which include fish, chicken, pork or beef. All are superb and certainly competitively priced and the meal can be rounded off with a superb dessert. Naturally and aside from the mains there is a good selection of burgers on both menus. New Society also has an interesting range of cocktails, wines and spirits.
If boaters are looking for an easily accessible place to just relax, enjoy the ambience, and recharge after hours of cruising, then the New Society cafe is an ideal venue. Aside from the comfortable interior, the cafe also has two wellappointed outside garden areas, and the front pavement tables are rather reminiscent of Paris.