The Frome Independent, a major monthly market, is located throughout the town center of Frome, Somerset (primarily around the Market Place, BA11 1AF), typically on the first Sunday of the month from March to December. Other markets include the Farmers' Market at Boyle Cross and the Flea Market at West Woodlands.
The Frome Independent is fast becoming one of the most popular destination markets in the country. It brings together independent food and drink producers, contemporary designers & makers, vintage fashion, collectibles and furniture. First Sunday of the month, March – December.
Where can I park? We strongly suggest visitors make use of our Park & Ride facilities at Frome Medical Practice BA11 2FH, Frome College, BA11 2HG, Frome Cricket Club, BA11 2AH or Frome Town Football Club, BA11 2EH. We appreciate a donation of £3 per car.
We host over 250 traders each month across 6 sections: designer-maker; flea market; homes and gardens; street food; food producer and suitcase traders.
Local retailers have reclaimed the streets of Frome providing a unique shopping experience. The cornerstone of this vibrant scene is St Catherine's artisan quarter where you'll find everything from gifts and vintage clothing to bespoke jewellery and modern arts and crafts studios.
Frome Independent Market | A Destination Artisan Market in a charming Somerset town
Is there much to do in Frome?
Frome also has lots of wonderful markets to enjoy and explore. In particular The Frome Independent has become nationally renowned and is the place to see artists and makers showcase their designs. Lovers of vintage shopping will also find it a wonderful place to indulge in a bit of modern antique hunting.
The Westway Shopping Centre is conveniently located in the centre of Frome and offers a great selection of shops, restaurants, and a cinema. Here, you'll find all the information you need to plan your visit, from parking to opening hours.
Vibrant Flea Market & Craft Fair-over 150 indoor and outdoor stalls with an array of antique, vintage and retro items and many talented artisans, artists and makers. Classic Vehicles and live music. Pitches from £20. Open: 9am - 3pm.
How much cash to bring to the German Christmas market?
Take cash!
One good way to stick to your budget is by taking cash and only spending what you have. You could budget around €30 to €50 for each market, which should be enough to buy drinks, bratwurst and other snacks. For food you can expect to pay around €3 to €6 per beer or wurst.
There are several car parks in the town and where you park may well be determined by which part of the town you want to visit, but the centre of Frome is wonderfully compact and choosing any one of the car parks there will enable you to take in all the key attractions.
Why is Catherine Hill in Frome among Britain's prettiest streets? Outside of its beautiful setting, Catherine Hill was praised for its variety of shops that adorned it. The Telegraph wrote: "Gird your loins: cobbled Catherine Hill is breathtakingly handsome but breath-stealingly steep.
There's no single "most beautiful," as it depends on preference, but top contenders for beauty often include Gdańsk, Poland (voted best in Europe for its unique charm), Cologne, Germany (iconic cathedral backdrop), Prague (historic Old Town Square), Vienna (Rathausplatz magic), and Bruges, Belgium (fairy-tale canals and light trails). Other favorites feature stunning settings like Winchester, UK (Cathedral close) and Strasbourg, France (oldest market).
Yes, Frome offers a vibrant mix of things to do, from exploring its famous independent shops on Catherine Hill and visiting markets like The Frome Independent to enjoying arts at venues like The Cheese and Grain and Merlin Theatre, discovering history at Frome Museum, and finding family fun at nearby castles like Nunney Castle, making it a diverse town for arts, history, shopping, and outdoor activities.
And Hugh's not the only celebrity to have been spotted in the eastern Somerset town - Friends star Courteney Cox has also paid a visit, Paul McCartney sometimes pops in and Kevin McCloud, the star of Grand Designs, lives in the area.
The name Frome comes from the Proto-Brythonic word *frāmā (Modern Welsh ffraw), itself from Proto-Celtic *srōm- meaning fair, fine or brisk and describing the flow of the river. In 2019, the BBC ranked Frome as, among places in the UK, having the most difficult name to pronounce.
The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery method is a viral TikTok trend for balanced, easy meal planning, guiding you to buy 5 vegetables, 4 fruits, 3 proteins, 2 grains/carbs, and 1 fun treat (or 2 sauces/spreads + 1 treat) for the week, simplifying shopping by focusing on food groups rather than specific recipes, allowing for flexibility while ensuring a variety of nutrients.
Most stores start and end their weekly promotions on Wednesdays. So if that's the day you shop, you can snag the new deals. As an added bonus, because it's when the promotions change, a lot of stores will still honor last week's offers, too. That adds up to double the money-saving opportunity.
3. Stroud Shambles Market. The Stroud Shambles Market is held every Friday and Saturday throughout the year and offers a delightful selection of vintage items, antiques, collectables and locally-made arts and crafts.
The town's location on the edge of the Mendip Hills offers visitors the chance to explore both the vibrant streets of Frome and the surrounding countryside. Frome is also a great base for exploring nearby attractions like Longleat, Stourhead, and the historic city of Bath.
