Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>The community-minded town’s packed with arty, artisan indie businesses and cafes including an indie cinema and a music venue where the likes of Paul McCartney &#8216;just pop in&#8217; – and it hosts the best designer-maker-producer street market in the West.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1869" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1.jpg" alt="the high pavement frome somerset best places to live" class="wp-image-98601" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1-642x800.jpg 642w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1-803x1000.jpg 803w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1-321x400.jpg 321w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1-768x957.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-high-pavement-431199743_989278052671416_4391716397388621511_n-1-1233x1536.jpg 1233w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The High Pavement</figcaption></figure>



<p>Too many to list but start with Moorish tapas bar and restaurant <a href="https://www.thehighpavement.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The High Pavement</a> (Best Casual Dining in the national and regional Muddy Awards 2024), <a href="https://bistrolottefrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bistro Lotte</a> (which sometimes has live music) and cafés <a aria-label="River Cafe (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.riverhousefrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The River House</a>, <a href="https://www.rye-bakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rye Bakery</a> in a former chapel, <a href="http://www.cafelastrada.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Strada</a> (especially the cakes and desserts), and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FrenchGeneralTrading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French General Trading</a> (more live music). For cocktails or other booze? Alternate between <a aria-label="Flow Bar (opens in a new tab)" href="https://flowbarfrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flow Bar</a>, the hidden <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HydeAwayFrome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HydeAway</a> and <a href="https://palmerstbottle.co.uk/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palmer Street Bottle</a>. Excellent gastropub <a aria-label="The Talbot Inn  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.talbotinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Talbot Inn </a>and private members club and Soho outpost <a aria-label="Babington House (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.sohohouse.com/en-us/houses/babington-house" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Babington House</a> are close by, in Mells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n.jpg" alt="quilted jackets Boho Frome Somerset" class="wp-image-101232" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/455721575_18448318750018937_6334292125816612736_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boho</figcaption></figure>



<p>Where to start? The streets around Catherine Hill and Cheap Street are stuffed with interesting indies, including cool tweed emporium <a href="https://acreholt.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acre &amp; Holt</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bohobath/photos_by?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boho</a> for clothes; flowers at Best Florist in Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol in the Muddy Awards 2023 <a aria-label="Bramble &amp; Wild,  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.brambleandwild.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bramble &amp; Wild</a>; vintage-style fashion <a aria-label="Deadly is the Female (opens in a new tab)" href="https://deadlyisthefemale.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deadly is the Female</a>; <a href="https://shop.winstonebooks.co.uk/pages/winstones-hunting-raven-frome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunting Raven </a>bookshop… we could go on. The fantabulous <a aria-label="Frome Independent (opens in a new tab)" href="https://thefromeindependent.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frome Independent</a> market – designer makers/artisan food and drink/vintage – is on the first Sunday of the month from March to Dec. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Whatever treatment or therapy you&#8217;re after, there will be someone in Frome to provide it. There are masses of classes, workshops and groups, several gyms, a leisure centre with pool and gym and the excellent <a href="https://www.fromeboulderrooms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boulder Rooms</a>.  The gorgeous <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/orchardleigh-estate-near-frome/">Orchardleigh </a><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/orchardleigh-estate-near-frome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estate</a>, just outside Frome, is famed as a wedding venue also holds brilliant <a href="https://www.orchardleighwellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wellness retreats</a>.  Of course, there are great walks all around too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Frome&#8217;s community is one of it&#8217;s strengths and there&#8217;s always lots going on to get involved with, including the annual <a href="https://fromefestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frome Festival</a> (10 days of music and culture); Frome Carnival and the Frome Window Wanderland (a walking trail around the town&#8217;s houses, all lit up and decorated).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>You&#8217;re not far from Longleat; there&#8217;s wild swimming and scuba diving at <a href="https://www.vobster.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vobster Quay</a>; gorgeous countryside all around; and the shops, restaurants, galleries and historic sites in the World Heritage City of <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/bath-city-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bath</a> are about 25 mins away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-black-swan-215493227_10158789658007950_2787184375150624215_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="Black Swan Arts Frome Somerset Best Places to Live" class="wp-image-73728" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-black-swan-215493227_10158789658007950_2787184375150624215_n_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-black-swan-215493227_10158789658007950_2787184375150624215_n_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-black-swan-215493227_10158789658007950_2787184375150624215_n_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-black-swan-215493227_10158789658007950_2787184375150624215_n_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-black-swan-215493227_10158789658007950_2787184375150624215_n_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Black Swan Arts</figcaption></figure>



<p>Take a seat at the <a href="http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merlin Theatre</a> – and its outdoor Ecos amphitheatre – for live performance, films and workshops; the <a href="https://www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frome Memorial Theatre</a> for shows on tour; music at <a href="https://www.cheeseandgrain.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cheese &amp; Grain</a> (where those famous folk drop in&nbsp;– Kiefer Sutherland&#8217;s playing there soon) and flicks at the <a href="https://westwaycinema.co.uk/frome/now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Westway</a> independent cinema. <a aria-label="Black Swan Arts (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.blackswanarts.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Swan Arts</a> (Best Arts, Culture in Somerset, Dorset &amp; Bristol in the Muddy Awards 2024) has exhibitions, designer-maker shops/workshops and a gift shop.  The <a href="https://silkmillstudios.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silk Mill</a> Studios and Gallery also hosts arty events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>The area around Catherine Hill is one of the most desirable and therefore most expensive areas to buy in Frome, but the overall average house prices are around £372,192. Detached home go for £539,672; semis £359,201 and terraced £329,615. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="900" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-fromea4e2c2a3-6198-4b33-b0ae-dc87abe46dcf-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1.jpg" alt="Frome somerset best best places to live" class="wp-image-98867" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-fromea4e2c2a3-6198-4b33-b0ae-dc87abe46dcf-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-fromea4e2c2a3-6198-4b33-b0ae-dc87abe46dcf-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-fromea4e2c2a3-6198-4b33-b0ae-dc87abe46dcf-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-fromea4e2c2a3-6198-4b33-b0ae-dc87abe46dcf-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-fromea4e2c2a3-6198-4b33-b0ae-dc87abe46dcf-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Top the class, this former school house has 4-6 beds and is just outside Frome. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.com/properties/residential/for-sale/marston-bigot-frome-somerset-ba11/bth012266592" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £1.4m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Options include Bright Stars Child Care Ofsted rated Outstanding and Rainbow Nursery and Harlequins Nursery, both &#8216;Good&#8217; and the nursery at <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/springmead-school-frome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Springmead School</a> in nearby Beckington.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Several Good state primaries and secondaries including Selwood, Oakfield, Frome Community College. Lots of good independent schools nearby, including <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/springmead-school-frome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Springmead School &amp; Nursery</a>, <a aria-label="Wells Cathedral School, (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/wells-cathedral-school-wells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Cathedral School,</a> King’s Bruton, All Hallows in Shepton Mallet, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/downside-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downside</a> in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, and Monkton Combe Senior, Monkton Combe Prep, The Paragon School and Prior Park College in Bath.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>There are about 400 listed buildings in Frome and the clutch of famous residents in the locale include Kevin McCloud and Carlos Acosta (Cuban-British ballet director and former dancer with the Royal Ballet).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Frome to London Paddington from 1 hr 40 mins but you will have to change at Westbury.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Frome

See more in Somerset & Bristol