Wadworth & Co. Ltd Round Alloy

Wadworth & Co. Ltd alloy tray dating from the 1950s.

Origins of the Northgate Brewery

Evidence suggests that the original Northgate Brewery, on the South side of Northgate Street in Devizes, was founded in 1768.
Henry Alfred Wadworth purchased the brewery in 1875 when he was joined in partnership by his friend and brother-law, John Smith Bartholomew. They traded as Wadworth & Co.
In 1885 they built a new larger Northgate Brewery on Northgate Street over the site of a small sweet water well, 100 yards from the original brewery.

Wadworth & Co. Ltd Registration & Expansion

In 1889 the Company was registered as Wadworth & Co. Ltd.
Soon after registration, Wadworth's acquired the Southbroom Brewery of J.F & H.S.Humby and dismantled it in 1890.
The brewery and Bell Inn of George Wild & Co. in Devizes was acquired in 1903, and the Three Crowns home brew house of Charles William Phipp of Devizes, was purchased in 1919. The Three Crowns Brewery continued to operate until 1933.
The Company traded very successfully and used the opportunity to boost its sales during the First World War when it supplied beers to the Army Canteen Board, later re-named the NAAFI.
The last remaining Devizes brewer, other than Wadworth's, Charles James Hare, was acquired in 1920.
In 1923 its famous Wadworth's 6X ale was brewed for the first time and is still being enjoyed by its customers today.

The New Brewery

A new brewhouse and visitor centre was opened in 2008.
The firm is still an independent brewer with over 270 public houses.
In 2023 the Company moved from its Northgate Brewery to new brewing state-of-the-art facilities based on Folly Road in Devizes.
The Company is currently led by the 5th generation family member, Tony Bartholomew, who is its managing director.
The Company's dray horses which used to deliver beer to public houses in the centre of Devizes, were retired in 2025.