Walking down the cobbled streets of Frome you wouldn’t expect to see Hollywood heartthrob Hugh Grant buying a sausage roll from the local bakery, but that’s exactly what happened to shocked staff at Parsons Bakery just a couple of years ago. And Hugh’s not the only celebrity to have been spotted in the eastern Somerset town - Friends star Courteney Cox has also paid a visit, Paul McCartney sometimes pops in and Kevin McCloud, the star of Grand Designs, lives in the area. But it’s not just celebrities who love the town - it’s also a firm favourite with locals and city folk looking for a welcome retreat from London.
In fact, Frome is so popular that it made the cut of The Sunday Times prettiest towns list for Christmas shopping and it’s certainly not the first time it’s been recognised. In 2021, the Sunday Times rated Frome the best place to live in the South West, describing it as a “pretty, cobbled town that likes its shops the way it likes its politicians — independent.” It mentioned Frome’s period architecture, independent shops and schools, gorgeous riverside walks and things to do from inland diving to Nifty Needles sewing and canoeing on the River Frome.
Things to do in Frome
Stepping onto the streets of Frome can feel a little bit like stepping back in time not least because among the antique and vintage shops there are more than 350 listed buildings, the most in Somerset. There have been shops on Cheap Street since the 1500s and if you look carefully you’ll notice a spring of water running down it. The Trinity area was built during a major expansion of the town from 1665 to 1725, creating a new artisans’ suburb. It’s not just the Sunday Times who rates the town - the Traveller Review Awards 2022 said Frome is full of charm and vibrance and is known for its community spirit.
There’s always something to do in the town as Frome has a thriving art and food scene, a variety of vintage shops and an array of independent café’s and restaurants. On the first Sunday of each month, the town transforms into a mini festival celebrating Frome’s heritage with local food, drink, artists and street entertainment. Somerset’s first regular vegan market, the Frome Vegan Market, takes place once a month where you can buy a variety of vegan food, drink, clothing and cosmetics. and a flea and antique market runs every Wednesday.
The townsfolk of Frome are big on sustainability and there’s also a Library of Things which is just like a normal library, but rather than books you can borrow anything from sewing machines to DIY tools to a fruit and wine press. A Christmas Market opens on November 24 and will feature a lantern procession, live music and the switch on of the Christmas lights. And don’t forget the shopping. The Times said: “Try the Raves from the Grave record store or the ceramicist-owned Ground for pots and plates. Han-Made sells jewellery crafted from polymer clay at the Frome independent market (first Sunday of each month from March to December) and it recomends staying at the Archangel, a pint-size pub with rooms.
What's it like to live there?
Earlier this year, Frome officially declared a housing crisis because rents soared so high local people complained they couldn’t afford to live there. The average rent in Frome has risen to £1,499 a month which is more than half of the average UK salary. The typical price paid to buy a house in Frome was £352,000 as of September 12, 2023 - almost £100k more than the national average of £257,808 and locals say part of the problem is Londoners leaving the big city to relocate in the area.
Councillor Polly Lamb said: "Rents have skyrocketed and that is pushing out local people who have been here all their lives." It certainly seems like a relatively safe place to live. The overall crime rate in Frome in 2022 was 66 crimes per 1,000 people compared to 93.6 across England and Wales. Frome is the second safest medium-sized town in Somerset and the 43rd most dangerous overall out of Somerset's 414 towns, villages, and cities.