Froome or Frome?
The name Frome, pronounced Froome, comes from the Old English word ‘ffraw’, meaning fair, fine or brisk, describing the flow of the river. The town can trace its history back to 685 when St Aldhelm founded a monastery here and a settlement grew up around the river crossing.
Geology
Frome Museum has a comprehensive collection of geological finds.
The local area of Vallis Vale, for example, is an ancient woodland site of national importance. Buried in the rock outcrops are several of the most easily demonstrated examples of angular unconformity in the country.
Buildings
Frome has over 500 Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed buildings.
Surrounding villages
Frome is the natural centre of a number of outlying villages and hamlets. These include Beckington, Berkley, Buckland Dinham, Chantry, Chapmanslade,Cloford, Coleford, Corsley, Downhead, East & West Cranmore, East & West Woodlands, Great Elm, Hapsford, Holcombe, Laverton, Leigh on Mendip, Lullington, Marston Bigot, Mells, Nunney, Norton St Philip, Old Ford, Orchardleigh, Rodden, Rode (Road), Standerwick, Stoke St Michael, Trudoxhill, Tytherington, Vallis, Vobster, Wanstrow, Whatley, Witham Friary and Woolverton.
Information about many of these communities is available in our Library to view by appointment and in our online Collections catalogue.
Tunnels
Myths and ledgends abound concerning the numerous old tunnels in and around Frome.
Timeline
The museum has a very extensive timeline mounted on the walls which shows significant events from 685AD to the present day.
People
Over the centuries the town has had many notable residents.
Wool trade
Cloth making was an important local industry using local sheep for wool and woad for cloth dyeing.
Industries
There have been many different industries in Frome over the years including wool, engineering and printing.
Singer’s foundry
The story of the J W Singer foundry and its extensive production of metalwork and statues stretches across the world.