WHY?

Recently listed as one of the best places to live in the UK by The Times, the community-minded town’s packed with arty, artisan indy businesses and cafes, and hosts the best street market in the West.

EAT

Work your way around Eight Stony Street, Bistro Lotte, Fat Radish, the River House Cafe and many more. Brand new Flow Bar looks good. Excellent gastropub The Talbot Inn and private members club Babington House are close by.

SHOP

Where to start? The streets around Catherine Hill and Cheap Street are stuffed with interesting indies, including Settlers Stores clothing, lifestyle store Resident, flowers at Bramble & Wild, vintage fashion Deadly is the Female, Hunting Raven bookshop, Black Swan Arts…we could go on. The fantabulous Frome Independent market – designer makers/artisan food and drink/vintage – is on the first Sunday of the month, plus other regular foodie markets.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Two theatres, several music venues including The Cheese & Grain (Foo Fighters anyone?), Westway independent cinema. Gorgeous countryside round about. Bath’s about 25 mins away.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

£301,877 in 2019. Detached, £395,114, semis, £276,469 and terraced, £275,511. Estate agents include Hunter French.

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

Several ‘Good’ state primaries and secondaries including Selwood, Oakfield, Frome Community College. Plethora of independent schools nearby, including a Steiner academy, King’s Bruton and Bruton School for Girls; All Hallows in Shepton Mallet, Downside in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, and Monkton Combe Senior , Monkton Combe Prep, The Paragon School and Prior Park College.

BEST KEPT SECRET

There are about 400 listed buildings in Frome and a clutch of famous residents in the locale include Kevin McCloud and Carlos Agosta.

COMMUTE

Frome to London Paddington from 1 hour 40 mins but you will have to change at Westbury.

View the full Top 200 Best Places to Live