Festival Venues
Mere sits beside the A303 where Wiltshire meets Dorset and Somerset. Our main venue, The Grove Building, stands opposite St Michael’s Church on Church Street in the town centre.
The Grove Building
The Grove Building was built in 1891, and still functions as an essential venue in town life.
For ease of access, there are 2 entrances: the main entrance in Church Street and the side entrance in Barton Lane, which has level access and is suitable for wheelchair users, prams and pushchairs.
Enhanced sound through loudspeakers and a loop system for hearing aids equipped with a T-setting.
There are male and female toilets and also an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities and toddler toilet seats and steps, ensuring the venue is accessible and comfortable for all guests.
There is limited parking outside but usually space to drop off and pick up. There is a free car-park about 100 metres away in Castle Street, opposite the Butt of Sherry pub.
We are fortunate to have the support of Winstone’s, as our bookseller for the week of the Festival. You will find their team, and a tempting selection of all of the books from the Festival, set up in the Small Hall in the Grove Building.
St Michael the Archangel, Mere
St Michael the Archangel, Mere is an unusually fine example of an English country parish church – it ranks as a 3 Star Church in Simon Jenkin’s definitive guide ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’, one of only seven 3 star churches in Wiltshire. It features one of the highest towers in Wiltshire, besides Salisbury Cathedral with a magnificent peal of 8 bells.
Enhanced sound through loudspeakers and a loop system for hearing aids equipped with a T-setting.
Wheelchair access is through the west door. Accessible toilet facilities are available.
The Lecture Hall
The Lecture Hall is located on Salisbury Street.
Enhanced sound through loudspeakers and a loop system for hearing aids equipped with a T-setting.
The Butt of Sherry
The Butt of Sherry is a historic, Grade II-listed traditional pub located on Castle Street (BA12 6JE). It dates back to the late 18th century.
The Castle Street public car park is directly opposite.
We want every talk, reading, and panel to be fully accessible to all our guests. All our festival venues, with the exception of The Butt of Sherry are equipped with fixed induction loop systems to support visitors with hearing loss. If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant, simply switch your device to the ‘T’ (Telecoil) setting upon arrival to enjoy crystal-clear audio directly from the microphones, free from background ambient noise. Should you require any assistance with setting up or accessing the loop system during an event, our friendly festival stewards will be delighted to help.