Frome: Markets, Culture and History

Frome combines a long market history with a historic streetscape and a diverse cultural offering. Different interests may shape your trip planning: regular markets, architecture and local history, exhibitions or events. City and local walks, as well as wildlife watching in green spaces, are also among the possibilities. Which topics you focus on depends on your travel plans.

Markets and Local History

Frome Weekly Market takes place year-round on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Its history dates back to 1239. Frome Farmer’s Market follows a different schedule: it takes place on the second Saturday of each month from February to December at Boyle Cross in the centre of Frome. This gives you a choice between a weekly market held on two regular days and a monthly farmers’ market on a specific date. If visiting a market is important to your trip, check the relevant dates against your travel period.

Historic Streets and Churches

The town of Frome dates back to around the 7th century. From around 1475 to 1790, Frome was a recognised centre of cloth production. These time periods trace the town’s early beginnings and a later phase when cloth production was particularly important to Frome.

Cheap Street has retained its historic medieval character. A leat, a watercourse carrying water from the stream below St John’s Church, runs down the middle of the street. The historic street is not the only feature shaping the townscape: the watercourse is also part of this streetscape.

St John’s Church was founded in AD 685. The medieval building is Grade II* listed and stands on a Saxon site. The churchyard contains the carved Via Crucis, which is unique in an Anglican church in the United Kingdom. The church, churchyard and watercourse each offer a distinct point of reference for local history; Cheap Street also makes the historic character visible in a street.

Museum and Venues

Frome Museum is housed in a historic building and includes collections on local and industrial history. A permanent exhibition is devoted to the history of Frome. Use of the archive and resources for research is by prior appointment.

Listed buildings also play a role in cultural life. Rook Lane is Grade I listed and hosts a varied programme of events throughout the year. Cheese & Grain is an independent live music venue in the heart of Frome. Since 1998, the venue has brought a historic market hall back to life and offers workshops. This means the programme includes a range of events as well as exhibitions and local history. If a concert, workshop or event shapes your travel plans, check the dates during your stay.

Walks and Wildlife Watching

Downloadable information about town and local walks is available for Frome. The town’s parks and green spaces are suitable for wildlife watching. These offer two distinct perspectives for planning: walks through the town or the local area on the one hand, and wildlife watching in green spaces on the other. You can include the historic townscape and wildlife as separate, specific interests in your trip to Frome.

Discover more destinations: Dunster, South Petherton, Castle Cary, Ilchester, Milverton, Buckland Dinham, Crewkerne, Baltonsborough

For the main travel overview: Somerset.