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 😆!!

Is there a different town or area you would recommend that would be pretty, with good independent and antique shops, charity shops, etc?!

@Calmomiletea Bradford is smaller than Frome but prettier- much closer to Bath though which has all the stuff you are after. Neither Frome nor Bradford are 'big' places though that would keep you occupied for days- but both good as based- Stroud is good too if you want that kind of vibe -

@Calmomiletea I would also say Wells might suit you - you can still do Bath/cheddar /Glastonbury etc very easily from there- it's definitely more conventionally attractive

Lots to do in that area. Stonehenge is nearby too and included in National Trust membership if you have it.

As pp have suggested, Bradford-on-Abon would make a great base.

Avon obvs!

Nunney castle (with moat) is fantastic!

Wow - did NOT know that. Thanks!

Topsham in East Devon.

Lovely little place on the R Exe, historic, small museum, walks including the RSPB Bowling Green Marsh Nature Reserve Hide and Lookout, loads of independent shops and Topsham Quay Antiques Centre. Short drive to Darts Farm (loads for kids to do and (expensive) food). Great bus and train service - up to Exeter or down to Exmouth (sandy beaches, Stuart Line Cruises, Jurassic coast.) Loads more... Have fun.

If you do go to Longleat I'd recommend the safari double decker bus rather than going through in your car. No risk of damage and the commentary is good.

Another vote for the open air pool at Street, it's lovely!

@CrystalSingerFan yep that's a lovely place - and easy for Exeter/Dartmoor etc

Same with Totnes- problem was with Totnes I don't like anywhere round it including all those so called nice coastal towns-

Stonehenge is English Heritage

I live in Frome and love it, but agree BOA or Bath are possibly better places to stay with a visit to Frome. As suggested the Indie Market on the first Sunday of the month is a great time to visit.

If you do a day in Bristol, head to Gloucester Road as it’s full of independent shops.
Clifton also has some independents and can see the suspension bridge.
SS Great Britain is good for kids.

@Spidey66 I'm looking forward to my FIL moving there next week - he's 85 but likes a bit of a vibe!! I'm mainly looking forward to it so we can use his driveway when it's the indie market- we always have a nightmare parking!!' Also we can go to stuff at the cheese and grain and stay over rather than my H not being able to have a drink ( I don't drive) - selfish reasons I know!!

Yes it's English Heritage but also free to National Trust members 🙂

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/prices-and-opening-times/

OP, I know you said you'd never been to Bath and you don't like staying in cities but honestly it's hardly a "city". I mean it's historically and culturally very important, and has a cathedral but the action "city" is small and surrounded by fields. I once stayed in a cottage overlooking fields on a hill above Bath and there was a bus that took you 5 mins down into the city. Perhaps you might be able to find something like that?

Overall though, Somerset / Wiltshire / southern Cotswolds area has loads to do.

I really wouldn’t do Stonehenge with children unless they are particularly interested , Avebury is not far away and is a much better afternoon out and you can get close to the stones . We’ve done Stonehenge a lot but I don’t think my children were fussed when they were small .

@Floralnomad as someone from Bath I can honestly say half an hour at Stonehenge and I'm done -I appreciate what it is but it's the kind of thing you look at for 10 minutes , and isn't nearly as big as people think -

@Crikeyalmighty we drive past it a few times a year and I’m normally so peed off about the traffic / queues that I feel fairly ambivalent about it . We did do a sunrise tour thing there a few years back which was nice but there were very limited numbers .

@Floralnomad yep I drive past about maybe 14 times a year on way back to Bath and yep after a while all you remember is traffic queues and you become ambivalent !!

@Crikeyalmighty I would just build a huge fence around it 😄

@Crikeyalmighty I love the cheese and grain....wonderful venue!

@Spidey66 absolutely one of the best- we work in music and the town are lucky to have such a great facility -

I'm shying to try out that Hyde Away bar too

Totnes might work for you.