The site at Mere in the UK offers a unique paragliding experience with a height of 210 meters. It is regularly used for soaring, and occasionally, good cross-country (XC) flights are possible. Top landing is available, but be cautious as there are several 'Mercury' sites, and it's easy to mix them up. Region: Mere, UK Site Record: 98.9 km For more information, visit the Avon Club website: [Avon Club](http://www.avonhgpg.co.uk/sites/sites.php) Grid Reference: ST 811 344 Latitude: 51.108581 Longitude: -2.271348 Site Code: 2.037 Wind Direction: SE, SSE, S Height ASL: 750 feet Height TTB: 300 feet Site Officer: Nicholas Somerville (07891 921651) Rating: Suitable for any rated pilot. No training allowed. Permission: Open Site Parking: Park on the main track without blocking it or the gates into the surrounding fields. Do not drive into any of the fields. Rigging: Hang gliders can rig just inside the field by the track and carry the rigged glider forward to take-off, or rig just behind take-off in front of the fence. Take Off: Anywhere in the bowl. Local hang glider pilots may take off from behind the fence, but this is not recommended for beginners. In light ESE winds, take-offs can be made from the eastern spur. Paragliders should avoid launching directly in front of hang glider pilots who may be about to take off from the field behind the fence. Local Flying: If the wind direction is not S-SE, the bowl can be turbulent due to rotor caused by the spurs on either side. These conditions can lead to rapid height losses and canopy deflations, so always be aware of the true wind direction before flying. The bowl effect can make it look like the wind is coming from the west or east. Avoid hogging the area in front of take-off, making it difficult for others to launch. XC Flying: This site has proven to be very potent for XC flights. If you lose lift, you can fly to Long Knoll (2.5 km) and try to get up there. Beware of the wildlife park at Longleat, 4 miles to the north. Top Landing: Land in the field you walked through to get to take-off. Beware of rotor from the mounds and avoid landing too far south to prevent overshooting into the fence. Do not fly back as far north as the track, as it may be difficult to penetrate forward again into the landing area. Beware of the cable that runs along the north end of the field. Do not leave your glider in a place where it becomes an obstruction to others trying to land. Do not disturb any farm animals that may be in the field. Paragliders can land in the bowl area but should be aware that they may get dragged back into the barbed wire fence. Do not land in any other top field. Bottom Landing: With the closure of the rifle range, there may not always be a bottom landing area available. If the fields to the east and west of the track are in crop, any forced bottom landing should be made on the track itself. To collect a hang glider, go back to the main road and turn left. When you reach Mere, turn left by the Lloyd's Bank and look for the gated track on the right, just after the bridge over the A303. There is a path back up to take-off for paraglider pilots, who have plenty of room to side land but should be careful of the numerous bushes and small trees. Directions: On the B3095 between Kingston Deverill and Mere, look for the layby near a radio mast and follow the metalled track. The track across the top of the hill towards Spencers is being renewed.