Stylish self-catering holidays and short breaks in Somerset
Free Things to do in Frome for Families and Kids
Frome is a fairly small but very charming market town in Somerset that attracts many families each year looking for free or low cost things to do to keep the kids entertained.
Set on the eastern edge of the Mendip Hills, its located on some fairly steep hills above the river it takes its name from - "Frome" - the old English word for ‘brisk-flowing water’ and the town's Market Place grew up around the springs. Hundreds of years later, the springs continue to bubble up under St Johns Church and deliver fresh water to the inhabitants.
You’ll find plenty of things to do for free in Frome which can help keep everyone entertained. Please note some things may be low cost rather than "free", but I've tried to allow for everyone and their budget. You'll also find a list of places to eat and drink, including cafes, restaurants and pubs in Frome at the bottom of my post, perfect for re-energising everyone to enjoy even more of Somerset.
Here are my top Frome choices that you should check out whilst you’re visiting:
A Delightful Country Walk from Frome to Longleat Woods and back
Take a stroll to the edge of the Longleat Estate on the Frome to Longleat Woods walk– this is a beautiful 8 mile hike (that’ll tire the kids out!) offering stunning views as you wind through the beautiful Somerset countryside. Whether you’re looking for just a gentle stroll or a more challenging fast paced walk, it’s perfect for all ages and walking abilities, do note there are some stiles to climb over and if you're taking your dog I'd recommend keeping it on a leash to stop it from chasing the wildlife!
Experience Frome’s Cultural Centre
Visit the Cheese & Grain – built in 1874 as a Cheese and Grain Hall (hence its name) this is one of Frome’s most iconic buildings and is ran as a not-for-profit social enterprise to promote the culture and social side of Frome. It hosts live music (it had the Foo Fighters play a secret gig there in 2017!), courses in languages and local history as well as many other events throughout the year. Worth checking out.
Enjoy a Local Play or Music Event
Thought not free you might want to enjoy a play or a local band or two at the Frome Memorial Theatre; built in 1925 and revamped by locals in 1980 (luckily before the council tried to sell the building off for housing!) it was originally built as memorial hall for townspeople who had fallen in World War 1. Nowadays it forms part of a multi-purpose leisure complex including the Frome Assembly Rooms. Though not exactly something to do for “free” the tickets for most events are fairly affordable and some well-known stars have played here, from the likes of Lulu to Marti Pellow from Wet, Wet, Wet.
Shop till you Drop at Frome’s Famous Markets
Frome is home to some absolutely fantastic markets selling everything from vintage clothes to handmade “flea” market gifts – perfect for picking up something really unique! The Frome Independent market is a regularly held market in the town centre that’s held on the first Sunday of each month from March through to October from 10am to 3pm, with farmers, food, artisan goods and crafts all vying for your custom.
If you’re coming in by car, we strongly recommend making using of Frome’s Park and Ride, it’s free (on Sundays) though you can donate £2 per car for the bus ride to take you into the town centre and return you to your vehicle later on in the day. More details can be found on the Frome Independent website. The food stalls at the market are some of the very best, making this market highly recommended to visit whilst you’re holidaying in Somerset.
Other Frome markets you might want to check out:
- Somerset Farmer’s Market – established in Frome since 1999 – held on the 2nd Saturday of every month at the Cheese and Grain
- Magpie Market for vintage jewellery, handcrafted gifts and more – held on the 1st Sunday of every month in the Cheese and Grain from July to December
- Flea and Antiques Market – weekly every Wednesday at the Cheese and Grain
- Frome Weekly Market – held weekly, every Wednesday and Saturday, in the Market Yard in Frome town centre
If you’re coming to stay in one of our Somerset holiday lodges (or cottages) then you’ll definitely want to plan a visit to coincide with one of Frome’s market days! The markets are free to visit but your wallet or purse may take a hammering with all the goodies on offer so be warned.
Discover Frome's Art Galleries
Explore Frome’s many independent art galleries, such as SEED on Catherine Hill, who offer regular exhibitions from both established artists and new talent alike!
Other free to visit Frome galleries I recommend you should check out:
- Gallery at the Station
- Kobi and Teal Art Gallery
- Whittox Gallery
- The Why… Gallery
- Black Swan Arts
- Owl Art Handcraft
- Rise Art Gallery
- The Frome Gallery
- Silk Mill Studios
Enjoy Some of Frome’s Parks and Open Spaces
There’s plenty of places where you can enjoy some fresh air or play a game of tag or football with the kids – head down to Rodden Meadow, an ancient Somerset wildflower meadow, which delivers stunning views alongside the River Frome, you may even spot the odd otter or kingfisher too!
If you’re after to stretch everyone’s legs then check out check out Victoria Park which has large open areas just perfect for the kids to zoom around in! Created in 1887, it’s now a mature Victorian park very much loved and appreciated the by the Frome townsfolk as somewhere to relax or walk or jog around its circular footpath. You’ll find a seasonal café open for refreshments as well as a band stand to admire.
The Mary Baily Playing Field was an area of land generously gifted to the town by Mary Baily in 1930 and was named in her honour. It offers a perfect setting for kids, with dedicated and free of charge play areas for toddlers and bigger kids, skate park, ball sports completely allowed and tennis courts. It’s also completely dog free too.
Where to Eat and Drink in Frome
After all that running around you might want to take a look at where to grab some lunch, dinner or just drinks, so I’ve listed below a comprehensive list of where to eat and drink in Frome:
Independent Cafes and Bistros
- Bistro Lotte
- Café La Strada
- Moo and Two
- The Garden Café
- Nook
- The Grain Café Bar
- The Bridge
- Tool and Gauge
- The River House
Coffee Chains
- Coffee #1
- Costa Coffee
Frome Bakeries
- Parsons Bakery
- Rye Bakery
- Cake by Adrianna
- Sugar and Spice Bakehouse
Frome Pubs and Bars
- Eight Stoney Street
- The Sun Inn
- The Lamb and Fountain
- Cordero Lounge
- Palmer Street Bottle
- The Artisan
- The Blue Boar
- The George Hotel and Granary Pub
- The 3 Swans
- Just Ales 2
- Flow Bar
- The Crown Inn
- The Mason’s Arms
- Frome Flyer Beefeater
- The Royal Oak
- Brewed Boy
- The Old Bath Arms
Restaurants in Frome
- Dragon Pearl
- Lo Rapitenc
- Thai Kitchen
- Kitchen Frome
- Home in Frome
- Archangel
- The Cocktail Way
- Namira’s Spice
- The Good Heart
- The Griffin Hamburger
- High Pavement
- Castello’s Italian Restaurant
- Burrito Boi
- The River House
Frome Take Aways
- Hamper Sandwich Shop
- Paul’s Plaice
- King Fisher Chinese Takeaway
- Mike’s Kitchen Chinese Takeaway
- Greggs
- Pang’s Fish
- Frome Kebab and Pizza Plus
- UK Kebab
- Good Pizza Frome
- Subway Sandwich Shop
- The Royal Bengal
- KFC Frome
- McDonalds
- China Capital
- Golden Inn Chinese Takeaway
- Papa John’s
- Domino’s
- Barnacle Bill’s Fish and Chips
As you can see when you visit Frome you’ll be completely spoilt for choice, there is so much on offer for free in our wonderful Somerset town!