Frome lies in the ancient county of Wessex and its history can be traced from the late 5th century, when St. Aldhelm, the Abbot of Malmesbury, set up a mission to offer succor ton travelers using the ancient track which traversed the Mendip Hills to Salisbury Plain. The mission was believed to have been on the edge of Selwood Forest, and as there  was a ford there it was suitable for people crossing over the river, and with the bonus of ample water supplies from nearby springs to refresh weary travelers. The ancient church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was believed to have been built of stone, and most probably of Saxon origin. By 1086, Frome appears to have been very important town, for it is mentioned in the Domesday Book as having an market; this implied the town was already regarded as a place of some importance. After Herny V111s Protestant Reformationm ( 1539  and the the dissolution of the monasteries, the Church lands were obtained by the Thynne family, who later bought more land, and in the Elizabethan era the Thyne's were to build  Longleat ( well knowv for its safari park ) in neighbouring Wiltshire which is still their ancestral home today. Unlike most West Country town's Frome seemed to be unaffected by the Civil War though the town's cloth workers sympathies, like most of the West Country working class definitly lay with Parliament. In 1685 however the Duke of Monmouth visited the town as he tried to raise an army to overthrow James II. ( the Duke of Monmouth recruited mainly farm workers and his rebellion is know to history as the Pitchfork Rebellion ) After Monmouth's defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor ( 6th July 1685 ) Many of his suppoerters were either hanged in various town's in the west Country at what was known as The Bloody Assises others escaped hanging but were transported

Although forv overv 100 years the population remained static until the mid-60s, since when it has almost doubled. However the new estates which were builtb to house this influx have not spoiled the town: the town  centre luclily did not suffer too badly from the ravages of 60s development and has managed retains its charm. One thing was that the influx of new blood into the town helped to re-energise it. The people, however, are still as friendly as ever, and welcome visitors warmly. The town is rapidly gaining a reputation for Arts and Crafts. The town has some fine Galleries and contemporary Craft Centres.  And many of the artisans work from small individual workshops, designing individual products such as jewlery,  textiles, and musical intruments. The town hosts an annual festival which is the bigest such event is Somerset's, with more than 130 events held at various locations in and around the town. The festival has a diverse programme and has included many well know personalites like celebrity Paul Merton, Michael Pennington, Timothy West, Ken Dodd and the Stranglers have all appeared  and there are events, involving local artists, theatres, musicians and the towns youth.

If you visit Frome you can park you're car and forget about it, for many of the streets are very narrow and suited only for pedestrians. But there is no need for a car in Frome for the town is very compact, in particular the town center. The town provides offical guides which are available at the Tourist Office,.. The Round Tower, was originally an eighteenth century drying stove used to dry dyed cloth. Frome has had a market since before the Domesday Book, so when the cattle market was relocated to Standerwick ithe towns people were upset at this break with traditin and as the market was so  much an itegeral part of the towns history it is sorely missed. Frome's Memorial Theater was built to commerate the Dead of the Great War and supports local amature dramatics. The River Frome is a river in Somerset, and flows through the town that bears its name. This pristine river rises near Witham Friary, flows north through the town of Frome and joins the River Avon at Freshford, south of Bath. Frome participates in The West Country Carnivalwhich is an annual celebration featuring a parade of illuminated floats (termed "carts" locally), in the English West Country. The celebration dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The series of parades in each town now form a major regional festival. Some carts cost in excess of £20,000 to build and are the result of thousands of man hours work throughout the year.[citation needed] The event's purpose, as it has always been from the start, raises thousands of pounds for local charities from money collection carts in the two hour procession. Near to the town are the beautiful Mendip Hills A designated area of outstanding natural beauty, the hills were designated such in 1972. The Mendip Hills cover a total area of 198 square kilometres the majority of which with 121 square kilometres lies within Somerset. The Mendip Hills rise to a high plateau around Priddy and Charterhouse, criss-crossed by drystone walls and rich in archaeological remains. The Mendip Hills are beautiful and  truly deserve their designation as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Yes with its long history, tradition and location Frome is a lovely town indeed and well worth visiting.

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