48 hours in FROME

A cloth town of great importance from the 15th to the late-18th century, Frome in Somerset is now on the map for its vintage fashion and sustainable clothing, as well as its buzzing antiques scene, discovers Rosanna Morris

- Rosanna Morris

The Somerset market town of Frome is well-known and acclaimed for its independent spirit and vibrant food and arts scene, as well as its popular monthly market. Set within a steep valley, the town dates from around the 7th century when the Abbot of Malmesbury, St Aldhelm, founded a monastery here (sadly now long gone).

When you look at the history of Frome, it turns out it was much feted centuries ago, too - then for its fairs and markets, and booming cloth trade. In the 1720s, Daniel Defoe described the town as 'likely to be one of the greatest and wealthiest towns in England'.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Frome was famous for its blue woollen army uniforms, dyed using woad grown on the edge of town. Metalworking, printing and brewing kept the town flourishing after the cloth trade collapsed, thanks to the introduction of modern machinery at the end of the 18th century.

By the mid-to-late-20th century, Frome had fallen into decline once more and almost lost what had made it so special. But its revival of the last couple of decades has put it firmly on the map again, drawing people from far and wide, not only for its independence but also for its community, energy, enthusiasm and solidarity.

This is a place where the town crier is also the town cheesemonger, and where a newly formed, stylish side of female Morris dancers are often glimpsed performing with their bells, hankies and sticks. And this happy renaissance has been further fuelled in the last year or so with the arrival of yet more interesting people, shops, events and businesses, from oyster parties at Rye Bakery to a magical theatre (The Lucky Chance), owned and run by a major UK director.