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The Talbot Inn
Frome, United Kingdom
As perfect for a pit-stop on a village-hopping road trip as it is a rural weekend away from London or Bath, this progressive Somerset market town is a must-visit for creatives in need of a country-meets-culture fix. We’ve found Frome’s best independent shops, restaurants and places to stay, including an off-grid cabin and some of the UK’s most louche country piles.
14 September, 2020
It would be wrong to say "there's no place like Frome", because in fact "Frome" rhymes with room, not Rome - but the sentiment's there.
Set on the eastern cusp of the Mendips, a half-hour drive south from Bath or just over two from London, this Somerset market town has a long history of nonconformism and community, which today manifests in features such as communal fridges, share shops and co-working spaces. Frome is the kind of place that welcomes you with a smile and a good cuppa - or perhaps a craft coffee. Indeed, in 2018 the town slashed its emergency hospital admissions when its indie council supported an anti-loneliness scheme and, when Brexit got the go-ahead, locals threw a party for the town's immigrant population.
Sure, some have branded Frome as "wokeville", but the town's progressive persuasion is one that sits well on its cobbled streets lined with independent shops, vintage emporiums, small galleries and performance venues. It's a destination as good for a pit-stop on a village-hopping road trip across Somerset as it is a weekend break or simply a Sunday day trip to explore The Frome Independent market.
We've worn out our legs on Catherine Hill and beyond to find the quirky landmarks and creative enclaves that make Frome, Frome - stopping at the bakery where locals pick up their sustainable sourdough and the wine bar where a fizzing glass of Dorset crémant pairs well with a West Country cheeseboard. And when night falls? Choose between under-radar cabins, Georgian B&Bs and some of the UK's best country piles.
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Frome, United Kingdom
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