Mere is a small town in Wiltshire lying at the extreme south western tip of Salisbury Plain close to the borders of Somerset and Dorset.

It seems likely that the first settlements in Mere were Saxon and that its name derives from the Saxon word 'mere' meaning marsh or boundary. In 1227, Richard (the younger son of King John) was created Earl of Cornwall by his brother King Henry 111 and in 1243 the King granted him the manor of Mere.

Ten years later, the Earl obtained permission to build a castle at Mere, in anticipation of troubled times ahead. Built on a summit now known as Castle Hill, the castle brought new prosperity to the town and an increase in importance.

It is most likely that Richard established a market at Mere and created urban growth by leasing land so the merchants and craftsmen could live in the town. During this period, Mere began to take on the appearance of a small town.

There was much building in the late 14th and 15th centuries and in 1424 Mere's first school was founded with the local boys being taught by three charity priests.

Around this time the castle began to fall into disrepair due to its rushed construction and it is said that stone from its walls was used to build several houses in Mere.

In the 16th century, cloth making became established in Mere as a cottage industry controlled by merchants and clothiers. From the late 17th century, flax was spun and woven into linen in the cottages of Mere.

By the 18th century the road was reasonably good and, being on the main London to Exeter road, there was a daily coach passing through the town.

By the early 19th century there were more people engaged in trade and manufacturing in Mere than in agriculture and from 1830 a new industry – silk making – arrived in the town.

As Mere is slightly isolated from large towns, it has to be self sufficient. However, with improved transport links and the building of the bypass, shops and businesses are not as numerous as there were 50 years ago.

Mere still flourishes and remains a close knit community catering extremely well for residents and visitors of all ages. People who live here have an extraordinary enthusiasm for their small town.

Mere has something to offer everyone! It has a wealth of facilities including plentiful shops, banks, places to eat and drink, a large number of long established family businesses, a library, museum, clubs and societies and numerous churches and church groups.

Prince Charles once described Mere as "a remarkably unspoilt historic village". So when you visit, climb to the top of Castle Hill, gaze down at the neat terraces built of local sandstone, and soak up the past in this quaint small town of Mere!