Frome, England
Somerset's Accidental Hipster Capital
"We had artisan sourdough before it was cool, obviously"
Official Coat of Arms
A shield bearing a crossed sourdough loaf and antique dealer's price gun, rampant upon a field of unnecessarily steep cobbled streets, surmounted by a battered vintage bicycle wheel and the motto 'We Were Independent First'.
TripAdvisor Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
"Came for a weekend and left convinced everyone in Frome owns a vintage bicycle and a sourdough starter named Brenda. The independent shops on Catherine Hill are genuinely lovely but try finding a parking space on market day, I dare you. The river Frome itself is more of a modest stream having an identity crisis, don't expect Venice. Still, nice pubs and the town does an excellent line in twee."— Gavin Prowse, Trowbridge
Property Listing
Nestled amid rolling Somerset hills, this characterful market town offers a vibrant blend of Georgian architecture, artisan bakeries and a monthly market so popular you'll need to book a parking space three weeks in advance. Perfect for the discerning buyer who considers a 45-minute drive to Bath a reasonable commute and enjoys explaining to London friends that yes, they do have wifi.
Twinned With
Totnes — Both towns independently invented the concept of a bunting-based economy and refuse to apologise for it.
Supporting Evidence
Frome was voted 'Best Place to Live in South West England' by The Sunday Times, largely on the strength of a town that has more independent shops per capita than chain stores.