Frome, a town in Somerset, has consistently been named one of the best places to live in the UK, and a recent nostalgic visit confirmed its enduring charm. The town was featured again in Muddy Stiletto's Top 260 Best Places to Live in 2025, and its Rye Bakery earned a mention in Britain's Best Bakeries by Milly Kenny Ryder.
A Town of Independent Shops and Markets
Streets like Cheap Street and Catherine Hill are packed with independent retailers, upmarket coffee shops, and micropubs and wine bars. The town centre is filled with cobbled side streets that climb upwards, lined with tiny boutiques and quirky independent shops stocking vintage clothing, antiques, and even an apothecary emporium.
Frome's abundance of markets is another draw. The Frome Independent Market features designer makers alongside artisan food and drink producers. Chain shops and restaurants are scarce, with just one Costa Coffee spotted.
Rye Bakery and the Old Railway House
Rye Bakery at its Station Approach site offers a cinnamon bun and a special sandwich filled with salami, Glastonbury cheddar, and salsa verde mayo. The other branch is located inside a church on Whittox Lane.
The old railway house at the station has been transformed into a compact independent food market and events venue. Alongside Rye Bakery, it houses its sister wine bar, cheesemonger The Cheese Lord, Indian and Trinidadian street food, a charcutier, another wine bar, a community sauna and cold plunge, and a milk vending machine.
Affordable Pints and a Sense of Community
Traditional country pubs and independent craft beer venues are plentiful. A pint of cider for under £6 was a notable find, highlighting the contrast with London prices.
Frome has both evolved and remained unchanged. It is still a charming Somerset town where everybody knows everybody, with a feeling of togetherness that attracts a fresh generation to its cobbled streets. It offers an escape from hectic urban existence, with countryside accessible within moments rather than hours.
