| Frome | |
|---|---|
From the top to bottom-right, Church of St John the Baptist, Market Place, Frome, Bath Street, Catherine Hill | |
  Frome Location within Somerset | |
| Population | 28,559 (2021 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST775477 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FROME |
| Postcode district | BA11 |
| Dialling code | 01373 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
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Frome (/ˈfruːm/ , FROOM) is a town and civil parish in Somerset, England, on uneven high ground at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills and on the River Frome, 13 miles (21 km) south of Bath. The population of the parish was 28,559 in 2021.[1]
Frome was one of the largest towns in Somerset until the Industrial Revolution, and was larger than Bath from AD 950 until 1650. The town first grew due to the wool and cloth industry; it later diversified into metal-working and printing, although these have declined. The town was enlarged during the 20th century but retains a large number of listed buildings, and most of the centre falls within a conservation area.
The town has road and rail transport links and acts as an economic centre for the surrounding area. It provides a centre for cultural and sporting activities, including the annual Frome Festival and Frome Museum.
In 2014, Frome was named by The Times the "sixth coolest town" in Britain.[2] It was shortlisted as one of three towns in the country for the 2016 Urbanism Awards in the 'Great Town Award' category.[3] In its 2018 and 2021 report on the "Best places to live in the UK", The Sunday Times listed Frome as the best in the South West.[4] In April 2019, Time Out listed Frome among 15 of the best weekend breaks from London.[5]
- ^ a b "Frome". City population. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ "Frome – one of Britain's 'coolest places to live'". Frome Times. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Frome is a finalist in 'The Great Town' category of the 2016 Urbanism Awards – Frome Town Council". Frome Town Council. 21 August 2015. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ Murray, Robin (16 March 2018). "Is Frome really a better place to live than Bristol?". Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "The best weekend breaks from London". Time Out London. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.