The gorgeous little town frozen in time with lots of independent shops - 'prettiest in UK'

With its cobbled streets, pastel shopfronts, and medieval buildings, this little Somerset town feels like it's been frozen in time. Dating back to the 7th century, its 350 listed buildings offer a glimpse into centuries past and it was once among Somerset's largest towns, with thriving wool, cloth, and metal industries.

Despite its long history, Frome is far from stuck in the past. Independent shops, studios, and bustling markets bring it very much to life, earning it the social media accolade of one of the "prettiest places in England". At the heart of it all is Frome's artisan quarter, which has been a commercial hub for centuries. Its cobbled streets once formed the main road into town and still follow Frome's original medieval street pattern.

Small retailers moved in and breathed life back into the area at the end of the twentieth century, when many of the shops were boarded up, and the area began to decline. Today, it is full of designers, vintage stores and cafes.

It has captured travel bloggers like Lotteboo, who listed it as one of "the prettiest places in England" in a TikTok video, and called it one of her favourite "underrated" spots.

Weekly markets also add to the community feel, and specialist ones pop up on certain weekends. A vegan market is held on the first weekend of every month, and an award-winning farmers' market comes to town every second Saturday of the month.

When you want to lean into the history, you can step straight into it at the Frome Museum, or join one of the town's guided walks, which trace its winding lanes.

The Somerset town also has a lively arts scene, with live music and events scheduled throughout the year. From March to December, the Frome Independent Market takes over on the first Sunday of each month.

This mini festival attracts thousands of visitors, and brings together local food and drink, artists, collectables, homewares and street entertainment.

When you're done wandering the streets, the area has natural beauty to boot. Built on steep hills around the river, there are plenty of walks through the rolling Somerset and Wiltshire countryside.