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 a 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. 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 that 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 roads were 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.

Around the mid to late 19th century Mere was a thriving market town with some 30 shops. The town came alive on a Saturday – pay day – and it thronged with people shopping for food until the shops closed at 11pm!

Mere today

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

But 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 and affection 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 market town of Mere!

Local Amenities

SCHOOLS
Stourbridge House School, Castle Street, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6JQ		01747 860165
Mere School, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6EW		01747 860515
Duchy Manor Middle School, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6EW		01747 860305
LIBRARY
Mere Library, Barton Lane, Mere, Warminster BA12 6JA		01747 860546
POLICE
Wiltshire Police		0845 408 7000
HOSPITAL
Warminster Community Hospital, The Avenue, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8QS		01985 212076
DOCTORS
Mere Surgery, Dark Lane, Mere, Warminster Wiltshire BA12 6DT		01747 860001
POST OFFICE
Mere Sub Post Office, 3 Boar Street, Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6DD		01747 860245
DENTISTS
Mere Dental Practice, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Warminster BA12 6EW		01747 860365
LEISURE CENTRE
Warminster Sports Centre, Woodcock Road, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9DQ		01985 212946
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Wiltshire County Council, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8JN
ELECTRICITY
Southern Electric		0845 744 4555
GAS
Scotia Gas Networks		0845 026 0015
WATER
Wessex Water		0845 600 3600
TELEPHONE
British Telecom		0800 309409