Frome Tourist Guide North East Somerset

History of Frome Somerset

Frome is exactly what you would conjure up if you were thinking of a historic market town in Somerset. It is on the eastern borders of Somerset but is within easy reach of Bath, Wells and attractions over the border in Wiltshire such as Longleat or Stonehenge.

Frome is a small but lively centre where historic architecture sits easily alongside street cafes and its thriving arts scene. Surprisingly Frome is the fourth largest town in Somerset and was first known as a settlement in the 7th century when St Aldhelm, the Abbot of Malmesbury, set up a mission station on the banks of the River Frome. The town grew over the years and became prosperous on its successful cloth industry. By the seventeenth century and before Bath was discovered as the place to be by the moneyed classes, Frome held a much more important role within Somerset.

It's a very pleasant place to stroll around with steep, winding streets full of medieval character.

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Frome Somerset Tourist Information

One of the best ways to discover Frome and get your bearings is to start off at the Tourist Information Centre down by the river (there's a nice big pay and display car park next to it). Frome Tourist Information Centre, The Round Tower, Black Swan, 2 Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BB. Tel: 01373 467271. Email: frome.tic@ukonline.co.uk. Pick up the Frome town leaflet which has all the historic places of interest and arts centres, theatres and museums marked on it. You can also print the map of Frome from the Tourist Information website. Follow the Heritage Trail which takes you past the old buildings that survived the 1960s boom and explains a little about each of them. You'll find yourself being led up Cheap Street with its leet (spring) running down the centre of the road and the Medieval area where you'll find a good choice of traditional and contemporary cafes and places to eat. Have a pit-stop and watch the shoppers stroll by. When you've had enough history, check out the shops, many of which are independent specialist shops including antiques and collectibles, or art galleries and craft centres.

If you're in Frome on a Wednesday or Saturday you can catch the specialist markets that are held in the Cheese & Grain or the Farmers Market on the second Saturday of every month. These are held in the big car park down by the river. There are some very plush, hi-tech toilets here should you need them! Check out the Cheese & Grain website, link right, for more up-to-date information on markets as others are held seasonally such as Christmas markets.

Somerset is an environmentally aware county and public transport is encouraged for your visit. Frome has a railway station on the Bristol to Weymouth line which has connections to major towns and cities. It is easy to get to Castle Cary, Bath and a variety of other destination in Somerset and beyond from Frome itself. A regular bus service also runs throughout the county.

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Frome Festivals Frome Cheese Festival

The Frome Festival is an annual event usually lasting around ten days in July. The Festival is packed with all sorts of events including music, comedy, drama, dance, film, literature, walks, talks, workshops and exhibitions suitable for all ages. The annual Frome Literary Festival, Words@FromeFestival, is held at the same time with competitions, readings, and open-mike poetry nights. Check the website links right for more information on the next Frome Festival.

Frome also hosts an annual Cheese Festival. The one day Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show is held in September at the West Woodland Showground just on the outskirts of Frome. It's been running for over 100 years and includes a variety of events for all the family including horse jousting, stunt shows, cattle competitions, dog agility competitions as well as a whole host of stalls selling locally crafted items and gifts. The piece de resistance is the Cheese Pavillion which houses over 500 cheeses. Entrants come from all over the UK. Check the weblink right for more information.

More food based events culminate in the Mendip Food and Drink Festival. This is usually held in October in various towns across the Mendip area of North Somerset including Frome, Wells, Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury. Check the link right for more information on events and venues.

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Frome Somerset Carnivals

Frome is on the circuit for the Somerset Carnivals. These are usually held between September and November. It's well worth timing your visit to coincide with one of the carnivals that are held at a whole host of towns throughout the county. The Somerset Carnival tradition dates back to the 1600s when many places in Somerset commemorated the Gunpowder Plot. Street entertainment, fireworks and special events throughout the town add to the fun and carnival atmosphere.

Processions gradually make their way round a predetermined route from around 7pm at night. The floats are illuminated with colouring lighting which makes a welcome splash of colour in the dark autumn nights. A huge amount of effort is put into creating carnival entries. Some are created by Carnival Clubs; some by keen individuals or groups, all work throughout the year raising the money themselves to create spectacular themed floats which are judged prior to the procession begins. Prizes are hotly contested and ensure the standards are raised year-on-year.

It's a fun night out for all the family and you can help raise funds for charities or the clubs for the next year's entry. Thousands attend carnivals, so watch out as parking can get very limited on carnival nights and town centres can often be cut off to traffic during the carnival.

Check the weblinks right for this year's carnivals and past carnival photographs.

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