Market Day In Frome

The high street is dying - I am sure it is not a phrase you are unfamiliar with. I only have to think of my local town centre - a cacophony of chain coffee shops, pound lands and sad empty buildings. It's a pretty sorry state of affairs. Therefore it is no surprise that the cobbled streets of Frome, filled with independent shops and one of kind cafes, set my heart a flutter.

Monday through Sunday you can wander Catherine Hill and explore the independent stores at leisure. I could run through my favourites in grand detail but we could be here a little while. So I would suggest taking my word for it and making a day trip. You can expect stores offering up beautifully curated vintage clothing, records, home wares and artworks just to mention a few. To avoid disappointment if you are planning a week day visit, the latter part of the week may be preferable to ensure you aren't faced with too many 'closed' signs. Trust me, camping outside seems like a perfectly reasonable option when you see a vintage treasure, you simply cannot live without, trapped behind a pane of glass. 

While this little Somerset market town is a must visit at any time, things really come to life at the monthly Frome Independent Market. Held on the first Sunday of the month, the market takes over the streets of the town bringing together the best of the Southwests movers, makers, artisans and creatives. Paired with the best of local food and street entertainment, it's, in my opinion, as close to a perfect Sunday as you can get. Also it's a bloody good excuse to use an obnoxiously big basket bag, therefore I am completely sold! 

Feast

Come hungry! The street food options are vast and if you're anywhere near as indecisive as me it'll prove quite the challenge. A challenge I welcome with open arms when it's a toss up between deluxe mac & cheese or pad thai. Once you've had your fill you can move on to supplies for the week - seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and delicious cakes. My god, the cakes, get in that basket!

Flea

Explore the vintage and flea area in the Market Yard car park. Here you can while away hours exploring vintage home wares, curios and all manner of interesting object. Neighbours to the flea market, you will find all things home & garden. If you're a crazy plant lady you'll need to practice some serious restraint while perusing the jungle of house plants and succulents. If you have no restraint, like me, you'll be coming home with your latest leaf baby.

Fledgling 

Head to Catherine Hill to explore the wears of a varied selection of makers and creatives. Parked up on the hill you'll vintage prams spilling out illustrations and suitcases neatly lined with handmade jewellery. Here you'll find young entrepreneurs testings the waters with their products and makes, the perfect opportunity to support fledgling businesses in their earliest days.

Community, creativity, charm. Town centres of England take note, you need a dose of what Fromes got going on.

See http://thefromeindependent.org.uk/visit/ for information on getting to the market.