About us & Gallery
A little bit about The walnut
Telephone
01747 861220
A few words about us
The Walnut Tree Inn was opened in May 2006 by Mark and Samantha Cassidy, experienced hosts with over 40 years between them in the hospitality industry. Before moving to Mere they ran one of Whitbread’s busiest pub restaurants in Christchurch Dorset, and opening their own pub from scratch in a beautiful place as Mere was an exciting and natural progression. Working in partnership with the well respected builders CG Fry and Son (who also built all the houses behind the pub) Mark and Sam designed, fitted out and furnished the pub which finally opened its doors on May 15th 2006.
Now well established as a popular destination for food and drink, three luxury rooms were added upstairs, providing bed and breakfast accommodation in 2011. Nearly 18 years on and still just as popular, The Walnut Tree is still owned and run by Mark and Sam with a great team led by Head Chef David Williams and General Manager Ian McPherson-Loriguillo
Walnut History
This is the third incarnation of The Walnut Tree in Mere. The original Walnut Tree Inn stood on the Shaftesbury Road and was built in around 1840 (pictured). At that time it was one of a number of hostelries in Mere, The Old Ship Hotel and The Talbot Hotel (now The George) still in existence today, as well as The Angel Inn (now the Angel Tea Rooms), The White Hart in the Market Place, The Swan Inn, Salisbury Street and The Green Dragon in Steep Street. The Butt of Sherry which is still trading today was opened circa 1894.
The Walnut Tree was pulled down in 1938 and replaced by a new one on land above and behind it. In its early days it was owned by Flower’s brewery at Fontmell Magna then by Matthews brewery of Gillingham which was then absorbed in to Hall and Woodhouse of Blandford. Demolished in 2005 for the building of the new Walnut Road estate, work then began on the pub which stands here today.
40
Years of experience
34
Team Members
500,000
Customers served
50
Dishes
12+
Wines
Coming Soon
