Your visit to Mere
Mere sits beside the A303 where Wiltshire meets Dorset and Somerset. Our primary venue, The Grove Building, stands opposite St Michael’s Church on Church Street in the town centre.
Parking and toilets
Castle Street car park (BA12 6JA) opposite The Butt of Sherry pub is directly behind the Grove Building. There is another car park, with public toilets, on Salisbury Street (BA12 6HB) about five minutes’ walk from The Grove Building. Both car parks are free. Roadside parking is available outside the immediate town centre.
Refreshments
Food and drink are available close to our venues, but wine, tea and coffee will also be available in The Grove Building.
Public Transport
By rail:
Gillingham railway station, Dorset, is about five miles away.
Taxi:
Sprout & Flower
The lovely Sprout & Flower is located on The Square in Mere & is well loved by locals as well as visitors from far and wide. They sell fabulous flowers, great tasting fruit and veg, a tempting selection of local produce with outstanding coffee and locally made cakes which can be enjoyed in the shop or to take away.
Angel Corner Tea Rooms
Located on The Square, traditional tea rooms with cake, coffee and light lunches.
The Walnut Tree
A traditional family pub located on the Shaftesbury Road.
The Bradley Hare
Established in 1865, The Bradley Hare Inn is an elegantly renovated 19th century coaching inn set in the village of Maiden Bradley. The Bradley Hare Inn is surrounded by the West Wiltshire Downs – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with many fabulous walks into the countryside. Beyond the village, this part of Wiltshire is rich with places to explore.
The Bradley Hare are offering Mere Literary Festival guests a discount on rooms during the week of the festival and a 10% discount on food & drinks in the restaurant. Please be prepared to show your tickets.
Da Costa
Just a short drive from Mere, in Bruton, you will find Da Costa. Earthy, homely food cooked using Italian techniques and inspiration. Much of their vegetables, fruit, and herbs are grown in their walled garden.
Da Costa are offering 10% off the total bill for festival guests visiting between 14th – 18th October.
You will need to book in advance and quote when booking that you are Mere Literary Festival ticket holders. Please show your tickets when dining.
At the Chapel
At the Chapel in Bruton is an all-day restaurant with in-house artisan bakery and wine store, housed in a beautiful Grade II listed, town-centre building incorporating an 18th century congregational chapel and a stunning, south-facing terrace.
At the Chapel are offering Mere Literary Festival guests a 10% discount in their restaurant during the week of the festival. Please be prepared to show your tickets.
The Alpine Coffee Co.
Tucked away in the woodland near Alfred’s Tower, The Alpine Coffee Co. is a lovely little coffee van and the perfect pit stop while exploring the beautiful Stourhead estate. Pop by for a freshly made coffee and something delicious before heading off on a woodland walk.
Check Ben’s Instagram page to make sure he is open if you plan to visit him.