Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


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



<p>This community-minded town is packed with arty, artisan shops, eateries and other businesses, with 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>Where to begin? There are too many great places to list them all but we&#8217;ll start with a big shout out for Moorish tapas bar and restaurant <a href="https://www.thehighpavement.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The High Pavement</a>, which won Best Casual Dining in the national and regional Muddy Awards 2024. We also like <a href="https://bistrolottefrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bistro Lotte</a>, which sometimes has live music; all-day neighbourhood restaurant <a href="https://www.littlewalcot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Walcot</a>, which has one of the best views in Frome from the first floor; and <a href="https://www.thestoresinfrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stores in Frome</a> for wine and cheese to eat in or take home – they hold supper clubs, too. </p>



<p>You are spoiled for choice for cafés, with <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 veggie <a href="https://gardencafefrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Garden Café</a>. For cocktails or other booze, take your pick between the <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> (Best Bar in the Muddy Awards 2024) 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 House 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="1500" height="1819" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n.jpg" alt="deadly is the female Frome somerset" class="wp-image-109296" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n-660x800.jpg 660w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n-825x1000.jpg 825w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n-330x400.jpg 330w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n-768x931.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00-deadly-is-the-female-498160557_18513950833035209_7655686948496140995_n-1267x1536.jpg 1267w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deadly is the Female</figcaption></figure>



<p>Again, 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; Hol</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 <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>; femme fatale 40s/50s-style fashion at <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> (Best Women&#8217;s Style in the Muddy Awards 2025); actual vintage clobber at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.vintagecollectivefrome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vintage Collection</a>; useful beautiful homeware at <a href="https://neighbourutility.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neighbour</a>; handmade chocolates at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chocetal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Choc et At</a>;  zero waste store<a href="https://denudestore.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Denude</a>; and <a href="https://shop.winstonebooks.co.uk/pages/winstones-hunting-raven-frome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winston&#8217;s 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 and 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 its 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 <a href="https://www.longleat.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longleat</a>, there&#8217;s wild swimming and scuba diving at <a href="https://www.vobster.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vobster Quay</a>, and gorgeous countryside all around. 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 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) 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, with average house prices around £348,564. Detached homes go for an average £513,687, semis £371,331 and terraced houses £324,561.  In January 2025 residents won their five-year battle to create an innovative 12-acre development in the centre of Frome, which will include homes, work spaces and a lido – it&#8217;s UK&#8217;s largest community-led master plan. This is a town that makes things happen.</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="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/frome-46-Weymouth-Road-Frome-3.jpg" alt="house for sale frome somerset" class="wp-image-111098" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/frome-46-Weymouth-Road-Frome-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/frome-46-Weymouth-Road-Frome-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/frome-46-Weymouth-Road-Frome-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/frome-46-Weymouth-Road-Frome-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/frome-46-Weymouth-Road-Frome-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A stunning <a href="https://www.lodestoneproperty.co.uk/property/central-frome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4-bed Victorian mid-terraced house</a> opposite Victoria Park, £925,000.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p>Options include <a href="https://brightstars.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bright Stars Child Care</a> and <a href="https://www.rainbownurseryfrome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rainbow Nursery</a>, both rated Good by Ofsted, 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>There are several Good state primaries and secondaries including <a href="https://selwood.somerset.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Selwood</a> and <a href="https://www.fromecollege.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frome Community College</a>. There are 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 a handful of famous residents in the locale including Carlos Acosta, the 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 takes 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 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Frome

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