Located approximately 13 miles south of Bath, Frome is a Somerset market town comprised of quaint, historic streets. Previously ranked in The Times’ list of the top ten places to live in the South West, Frome is known for its strong community, popular market days and creative independent shops.

Frome is a great place to visit during a long weekend in the West Country, especially if you enjoy a spot of independent shopping.

Our unique slow travel guides are carefully curated handbooks to some of our favourite destinations. Slow travel, part of the wider slow living movement, is not just a method or a means, it’s a mindset. It’s an approach to travel which replaces the desire to see as much as possible with the desire to experience everything as deeply as possible. Instead of solely listing the biggest landmarks, we share our favourite local spots to slow down and gain a richer sense of place.

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What to eat, where to stay and what to do in Frome

EAT & DRINK

Where to eat and drink in Frome

• The High Pavement – a cosy Moorish tapas bar that is only Thursday to Saturday evenings, plus lunchtime on Saturdays
• Little Walcot – a recent opening from the brains behind Walcot House in Bath, focusing on local produce from Wiltshire and Somerset
• Palmer Street Bottle – a relaxed bar and bottle shop for craft beer and cheese toasties
• The River House – a popular café for brunch and cake
• Rye Bakery – a brilliant café set inside a converted church – head here for cinnamon buns, fresh bread and a light lunch

SLEEP

Where to stay in and around Frome

While there are accommodation options in town, such as The Archangel, we’d recommend choosing a location where you can explore a little more of beautiful Somerset. One of our favourite pitstops is The Bradley Hare, a stylish village pub with rooms located just over ten minutes away from Frome. The Bradley Hare is a country escape in pretty Maiden Bradley, offering tasty seasonal food and comfortable, curated interiors.

For those truly seeking a slow weekend escape, try 42 Acres, which is just under twenty minutes away from Frome. Home to retreats and wellbeing experiences, in addition to renewable energy-powered self-catering accommodation, 42 Acres is a regenerative estate and nature reserve. In other words, it’s the place to stay to reconnect with nature, and yourself.

For a luxurious escape, the iconic Babington House by Soho House is just under fifteen minutes away from Frome. Another option is The Talbot Inn in bucolic Mells, which is around eight minutes away in the car.

SLOW DOWN

What to do in Frome

Independent shopping: best shops and markets in Frome

St Catherine’s is sometimes referred to as Frome’s artisan quarter. It’s made up of Catherine Hill – a steep cobbled street of independent shops and cafes, and nearby Paul Street, Palmer Street and Stony Street. Cheap Street is another must-visit street a few minutes walk from St Catherine’s. It’s home to further interesting stores, as well the town’s charming leat – a channel of water that flows in the middle of the narrow street from the spring at the church above.

Browsing the independent boutiques is one of the biggest draws of visiting Frome. You’ll find fashion, homewares, flowers and houseplants, hardware, gifts and craft supplies. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Pilea (beautiful houseplant shop)
• Bramble & Wild (pretty florist)
• Neighbour (a mix of vintage and new homewares and utility items)
• Frome Hardware (a shop for practical yet beautiful everyday products)
• The Golden Goose (gifts and homewares)
• Seed (dedicated to British design and emerging creative talent)
• French General Trading (French brocante antiques meets wine bar)

Frome is most definitely still a bustling market town. There are many different markets taking place each month, as well as weekly.

Frome Independent: Gaining quite a reputation, this popular market for local produce, contemporary craft and collectibles takes place on the first Sunday of the month from March to December. If you have already been recommended a visit to Frome, it’s probably the market everyone keeps telling you about.

Frome Farmer’s Market: Somerset is known for being a foodie hotspot. This market takes place every second Saturday and offers vegetables, cheese, meat, bread and more.

Frome Antique and Flea Market: On Wednesdays from 9am-2pm you can find second hand goods, antiques and collectibles at this market.

Whether you’re travelling with children or not, you can easily while away a slow rainy afternoon at Made at Nest, a particularly aesthetic pottery painting café.

CONTINUE YOUR TRIP

Where to visit near Frome

Twenty minutes south west of Frome lies stylish Bruton, home to Michelin-starred Osip restaurant, The Newt in Somerset and Hauser + Wirth Somerset, complete with impressive gardens designed by Piet Oudolf. As we’ve mentioned above, the postcard village of Mells is also a stone’s throw away from Frome. It’s a great location for a country walk and a light lunch in the pretty walled garden.

For a city break, the historic city of Bath lies 30 minutes north. Read our Bath travel guide for tips for exploring our local city. And for more West Country inspiration, read our list of the best towns for independent shopping in the South West and our favourite seasonal restaurants.

Slow Travel