Holiday to... Frome - with children? Am I wise?

[Calmomiletea]

I would be so glad of opinions on this. I'm in NI and every year we (my husband, my two DC, aged 2 and 4, and I) tend to go to England. One of my favourite things to do is to look around independent shops and antique shops. Thankfully my husband also likes antique shops. I've read that Frome has great independent shops, but I'm wondering if there would be enough to do in the area for the boys? We wouldn't mind the odd day with a longer drive (1hr approx max) drive to go see and do things, but we'll already have driven a fair bit, so it would be better if we were in an area where there were fun things to do somewhat close by.

I've read about longleat, and stourhead, though I'm not sure how suited stourhead is to children.

Last year we were in Tavistock, Devon, and enjoyed it. The previous year we stayed near Shrewsbury - we enjoyed it. The year prior was Lewes, East Sussex. Lewes is probably my favourite of the 3 as it had such great independent shops and there was lots to do close to the town.

Ideally I would love a waterpark or something like that close-ish if we aren't going to be by the beach. I see there's a water rapids at centre parc, Longleat, but I'm not sure if outsiders can pay to use it. I'm thinking probably not?! .

I'm always usually thinking further south in England for slightly warmer weather (I hope)- its usually warmer than NI anyway!

I'd massively appreciate any input for my tropical holiday 😆!!

You could always stay at the Longleat centerparcs and use it as a touring base , using the pool etc in the mornings / evenings , it’s no different to renting a cottage really . You could also have a look round Bath and Salisbury as both are not too far .

Longleat safari is a must visit imo, we went when eldest was 2yo and he adored it. Planning to go back this year or next, my children are 3 and 1 currently. You can use Tesco vouchers to book.

There is a lovely walk along the canal is Bradford-on-Avon, my boys loved watching the locks in operation, seeing all the long boats, lots of picnic spots and a couple of parks.

I’d do a day trip to Bath as well, only 30mins or so and there is lots to see there.

Longleat center parcs is lovely but it’s so expensive you won’t want to leave the parc in order to get your moneys worth, plenty to do there for 5-7 days and I’d really recommend it for your children’s ages, but might not be the kind of holiday you are after.

We've stayed here a few times which gives you your own time slot in the pool and has an indoor games room as well as great outdoor space. Longleat was a big hit and we've also visited Wells, Stonehenge, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm museum, Bath, Stourhead, Nunney (small village with castle ruins) and Wookey Hole caves all within reasonable distance

moorleaze.co.uk

Ahh sorry to drip feed.. I should have said originally, we will be using the home exchange website, so staying at centre parc isn't an option unfortunately!

2 and 4 would be too small for Center Parc rapids anyway.

Are you coming in the summer?

Frome is nice enough but I’m not sure the shops would keep you occupied for more than a day. But if you’ve never been to Bath then that is perfect as a combination. Wookey Hole would definitely be fun, my son loved the penny arcade there (it’s all old- fashioned wooden slots, hall of mirrors etc, not tacky) and it has a big soft play inside too. There is a large outdoor pool/ splash area in Street - simple but does the trick on a hot summers’s day, and next door you have Clark’s village, not independent shops but still OK for a wander and a snack and some discount kids’ shoes (it’s the site of the original Clarks factory).

Will you have a car? If so Bath, Wookey Hole, Wells, Longleat, Puxton Park with the kids.

To be honest, I don’t rate the shopping in Frome. A handful of expensive independents, some charity shops, some empty shops and some really tatty high street shops plus a disappointing market. Some nice places to eat though.

Yes, we would have two weeks in July. I think I'd prefer to spend the two weeks in one place, take it easy, maybe a few wee mornings pottering about, interspersed with outings.

I have Wookey Hole saved on Google maps. It's great to learn about the penny arcade! Thank you!

Oooo.. thanks for your reply! I'm wondering if I should cancel the Frome idea!

Yes, we will have a car!

Any other towns like it but only better hat you can think of?! 😅

Thank you for these suggestions! By the sounds of it, we could maybe get the two day ticket for longleat and that'll occupy two days, and we can go at a leisurely pace!

I live in Bath and my FIL about to move to Frome from Kent so know it well- it really isn't very big so whilst fine as a base you would be bored if you think it's going to be a great potter day after day- but actually is a nice place to live- first thing is it has few big name shops but a fair amount of small independent ones. A few nicecrestaurants, not that many 'nice ' bars or pubs but a few. It's best described as very mixed, nice stuff mixed with a fair sprinkling of empty buildings. First Sunday of every month the market is amazing but packed - takes over the town

If you live locally there is 'a lot' going on in Frome -several theatres, great arts centre. A lot of 'woo' stuff

From it though you can easily visit longleat , Bath, Bradford on Avon, Corsham, Wells, Salisbury, pretty Bruton and castle Cary , Cheddar,,Wookey etc . A lot to do in the greater area!!

@Calmomiletea can you get a house exchange in Bath? In my view would be more suitable as a base

One good thing is it's on the train- so you can go to Bath/Bradford/salisbury etc on train

The Frome to Bath route is very pretty

I used to live in Frome with young children, so know it well!
I don't think that it's a bad base, but the town itself will take you a day (or less) to explore.
Two day ticket for Longleat is a must. Especially with smaller kids, then you can really slow down and enjoy the playgrounds etc.
A day in Bath is also a must, take a picnic in front of the Royal Crescent, then there is a fantastic playground in Victoria Park.
Take the train down to Weymouth for the day, it's direct and terminates right by the beach. The beach has perfect sand and really safe swimming for children.
Warminster is worth a little wander around, some nice independent shops and again, a nice park with a little lake that you could row a little boat on to see the swans.
Bradford on Avon is gorgeous and worth a day wandering around the nice little shops. Nice park (can you tell I spent a lot of time in playparks?!) by the river, the children might like to paddle in the shallow bit down there as well, then wander a little way along the canal above to see the boats.
There's a lovely outdoor splash park at Street which is fun and safe.
Wells is a lovely town, we spent many hours cartwheeling and picnicking in front of the cathedral. Do go in to the cathedral as well, even the children will enjoy the mechanical clock in there.

And technically, 'outsiders' can book the Centreparcs pool (not sure if this is always available or just at non-peak times) but it's absolutely ridiculously expensive, so I wouldn't bother! Last time I tried, about 5 years ago, it was about £35 each.

Frome is lovely, and if you time it with their independent market (first Sunday of the month), I think you'll enjoy that too (disagree with the poster above who says it's disappointing - it's huge and full of independent sellers with antiques, plants, jewellery, artwork, loads of street food, live music...). I agree with others, Longleat, Wookey Hole, Bath, Wells, Salisbury, Stourhead, Greenbanks swimming pool at Street, even Clarks Vilage at Street if you want some outlet shopping are all good options. You can also climb Glastonbury Tor, see the White Horse at Westbury, go to Cheddar Gorge...there's lots to do :)

You’ll easily fill 2 days at the safari, we didn’t feel like 1 day was enough. We felt a bit rushed in the afternoon to get it all done and they’ve got 2 good play parks that we could have spent much longer at.

HannahthePink has covered everything I was going to say! Will add Bristol has some truly fab rainy day activities (let's be real here) such ad Wake The Tiger and the recently reopened We The Curious plus both Bath and Bristol will have shows and events for little ones. Bruton and Castle Cary are short train trips away, good for a potter with the (free with lovely garden) Hauser & Wirth gallery in Bruton.

I think you will enjoy it @Calmomiletea 'if' you have the mindset of it being a base rather than the main course- exactly as others have said . And as I mentioned below the train means you don't have to drive everywhere either . Do look on notice boards too in Frome- so many free or low cost fun things to take the kids along to

I’m from the area and agree with all the above! I would stay in Bath or Bradford on Avon and do a day trip to Frome (that’s all you need)

Possibly! I'm not sure we would want to be in a city - I've only been to Bath once though. I like a day trip to a city but after a few days I'd be wanting out in the countryside

Is Bradford upon Avon much bigger than Frome? May I ask why you'd recommend staying there rather than Frome?
Does it have antique shops/independent shops? Thanks for your help!

Oh rainy day activities are always good!! Thank you for these!!!

I would not stay in Frome!
It's not particularly appealing and you'll be able to get round it in less than a day.
Bath/ Cotswold Lakes/Longleat will provide plenty of activities for the children and shopping for you.

There's a Children's Festival in Frome every July.

https://www.purpleelephant.org.uk/childrens-festival/

^ Last year's date and activities btw.