Walls, Gate Piers, Gates And Pavillions Surrounding The Forecourt At Mere Hall

The walls, gate piers, gates, and pavilions surrounding the forecourt at Mere Hall were built around 1700. They are constructed of red brick with sandstone ashlar dressings. The walls vary in height from eight to four feet and enclose an area of approximately 1,500 square yards. The taller sections feature recessed panels, while the part facing the house serves as a base for cast iron railings, which are interrupted by openwork piers placed about two yards apart.

The central gateway is marked by square brick piers topped with moulded stone cappings and ball finials, and it features an ornate cast iron gate with foliated detail. At the outer corners of the enclosure are square pavilions, each topped with fishscale tiled ogee cupolas and cast iron weathervanes. The sides facing the forecourt are open, with the upper sections filled by wooden semi-circular arched panels that have central moulded pendants. The north elevations of the pavilions include 24-pane sash windows with moulded architraves. Inside, the pavilions contain re-used Jacobean benches.

Although the gates are no longer the main entrance, which is now located at the rear of the building, the layout of the forecourt represents an interesting example of the Queen Anne period and adds significant compositional value to the front elevation of Mere Hall.