Final note on Frome

*We were the guests of the Frome Town Council.

We can't leave Frome without some discussion on where you can stay and eat.

There are many options that you should explore.  I'll tell you about just a few of them.  

I was talking to Matthew last night about our weekend in Frome.  I commented that I had two of the best meals that I've had since I moved to the UK while we were there and he totally agreed.

The first was at the Restaurant at the Grange.

 

The Grange is a famous residential cookery school in nearby Whatley.

(Pippa Middleton attended their month-long cooking course.)

It's not a hotel or bed & breakfast but this is where we were lucky enough to stay for the weekend. 

They do have a cottage on the premises that is available for holiday lets and you can contact them about an overnight stay in one of their rooms.

Jane Averill who opened the school in 1988 was a fabulous hostess and she fed us so well!

You may not be able to experience her amazing breakfast spreads

but you can definitely enjoy the fabulous food she and her great staff create by visiting the Restaurant.

These are definitely The Best Lambchops I've ever had.

Matt had them on the first night and we both ordered them on night number two.  Amazing!

The Restaurant at the Grange is open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. 

We had a lovely lunch on Saturday at Café La Strada on Cheap Street,

a big hearty bowl of Watercress Soup with a poached egg and a variety of sandwiches with ice-cold elderflower cordial.  They are also known for their Italian-style ice creams created by owner Jude Kelly in exciting flavors such as Grapefruit & Peppercorn, Gin & Tonic or Gorgonzola, Chili & Fig.

Because three square meals a day is just not enough we stopped at Divas Café for a coffee and sweets break.  It's located at the Black Swan Arts Centre and is open Monday through Saturday from from 8:30 to 5:30.  Try the carrot cake, it was mouthwatering.

We didn't stay or eat at the Archangel but I popped in to take a few pictures to give you some options.

This spot was first recorded as an inn 1311 and was once a medieval coaching inn called The Angel.  In 2008, it underwent a major renovation and became the Archangel.

There are now 14 rooms available and a three story bar and restaurant built into an old hay barn.

Just across the street is the George Hotel with rooms and a restaurant.

We popped in for a cheeky drink and free wifi.

Last but not least is The Cornerhouse which is most certainly where we will stay when we return to Frome.  It used to be known as The Lamb Inn but changed ownership in 2011 and has a new name.  

 

We stopped in on Sunday and sat down with the owner Martin Earley for the other best meal I've had in the UK, a Sunday Roast.  Three courses for only £15 and better than anything I've had in London.

Martin once ran a software company but had a dream to open a pub and hotel.

He arrived in Frome with his suitcase having never even set eyes upon his new purchase.

He then got to work turning it into a pub that he would enjoy visiting.

He has totally renovated and it has all of the little touches that make a place special.

It's a bright airy pub serving great food, close to the train station and city center.

He proudly showed us around.  The rooms are all various sizes and very clean and comfortable.  You can get a double en suite room for £80 to £100 with breakfast.  We are looking forward to getting back.

We had a terrific time in Frome and I'm so glad that invitation hit my inbox.

We will definitely be back. 

I have to thank all of the people that welcomed us so warmly to Frome and

also those that read and commented on these posts.

I'm sure we will see you again soon!

More about Frome...  Supermarket and Made in Frome.

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*We were the guests of the Frome Town Council for the purposes of review.   Meals and accommodation for our stay were complimentary.  All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. 

The Frome Super Market

*We were the guests of the Frome Town Council. 

The weekend that we went to Frome wasn't just a random weekend.  

It coincided nicely with their monthly Frome Super Market which is the first Sunday of each month.
(This means you can go tomorrow September 1st!!)

And it's called Super Market (with a little tongue in cheek) because it basically takes over the whole town centre.

Picture a flea market, farmers market, artisan market, craft sale and suitcase sale all in one.  It stretches all the way from the Cheese and Grain, across the River Frome, along Market Place and up Catherine Hill.  It's open from 10am to 2pm and I'll let the photos do most of the talking on this one.

You'll probably want to plan your trip to coincide with the Frome Super Market.

And don't worry about the shops being closed on Sunday, they open up for this special day.

Be sure to check out the Frome Event Calendar for their many other special events
including the annual Frome Festival and Cobble Wobble.

And I have one more word for you.  Cheese.

Saturday, September 14th is the Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show!

With over 350 trade stands, you can get your fill of cheese and then check out the animals.

I just might see you there.

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 *We were the guests of the Frome Town Council for the purposes of review. 
Meals and accommodation for our stay were complimentary.  All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Frome, a quirky little town in Somerset

*We were the guests of the Frome Town Council.


Great Britain is so much more than London and as I've said many times before,  I want to see ALL of it.  We try to get out of London at least once a month to explore.  (You can find some of our other trips on my Travel Destinations page.) 

When I came across an invitation in my inbox to spend a weekend in Frome, I'll admit I had to Google the town. (It rhymes with broom, by the way.)   It wasn't yet on my radar, but I'm so glad we had the chance to spend a weekend exploring this beautiful market town. 

It's only a few hours from London and just 13 miles from Bath in the county of Somerset.  It's location makes it a great base to stay and explore the area, a less expensive and less crowded option than Bath with Stonehenge only 25 miles away.   

Most of our English city breaks have been all about history but Frome is all about the present day.  It still has loads of history and charm.  In fact, it has more listed buildings than any other town in Somerset.  But, what really makes Frome stand out is the community of people.  It's a fun, quirky place and has become a hub for arts and crafts in the area.   

The people of Frome pride themselves on their diverse and distinctive town. The market was mentioned in the Doomsday Book and the town had a thriving clothing industry beginning in the 14th Century.  At one time, it was even "larger and more important than Bath".  The clothing industry in the area started to decline in the 19th Century and the population of Frome remained the same for 100 years until the mid-60's when it suddenly doubled.  

Of its current population of about 27,000, many of them seem to be artists, craftspeople and entrepreneurs.   The town is home to galleries, theaters, craft centers and workshops.  In a time when media is bemoaning the death of High Street (Main Street), Frome has a thriving town centre full of independent businesses and boutique shops.  And there is definitely a tight community feel in Frome. It was obvious from everyone that we had the pleasure to meet, Frome is all about community. 

 

We spent some time strolling along Cheap Street, window shopping and following the leet or runnel which is a spring that runs along the medieval  street.  The spring led us to Parish Church of St. John the Baptist.  There has been a church in this spot since about 685 AD.  The current church has been heavily restored.  Frome is also home to many non-conformists churches. 

I also just have to mention their Community Toilet Scheme.  Can I just tell you as the owner of a 46 year old bladder how comforting it was to know that I had access to clean, safe toilets no matter where I was?  Seriously.  Participating businesses have decided that they will allow the public to use their loos without having to make a purchase.  (Paris, are you listening here?  I was once denied the toilet in a Paris cafe because we only ordered drinks and no food.  Not good.) 

We had a great weekend exploring this interesting city.  In my next few posts, I'll tell you a little more about some of the small businesses in Frome, where to eat and stay when you visit and also about their Super Market (and nope, that's not a grocery store).  

Have you visited Frome?  What did you think?

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 *We were the guests of the Frome Town Council.  Meals and accommodation for our stay were complimentary.  All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.