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 😆!!

I've not made it to HydeAway but have heard lots of good things about it.

Moreton in Marsh could be another idea for you another time.
Lots of antique shops around the Cotswolds and lots for kids!

Another curve ball - Arundel. There's the castle, lido, lots of antique shops, independent shops, & tea shops, a WWT, the River, great walking, striking distance of the coast. Climping & the Wirterings are both nice. Also Amberley museum nearby is a great day out with kids.

You could take a day trip to Weston-super-Mare. Its got a pier with a little train and amusements at the end.; a sandy beach (although the tide goes out for miles); and plenty of places to get a vague of chips and ice cream.

Going a bit further afield you could get the steam train from Taunton to Minehead.
In Bristol you can catch the ferry which goes around the harbour (they do a hop on hop off ticket). One of the stops is next to the SS Great Britain and you may also see the Matthew (replica of John Cabot's tudor ship which crossed the Atlantic). By the harbour is We the Curious, M Shed and loads of places to eat.

I think you could have a really good time in Frome it’s a good a base as any and there’s lots to do in the surrounding area as others have said.

Op is house swapping so randomly suggesting other places doesn’t help she would need to find other swap
partners there willing to swap with her which doesn’t go without saying. If it’s a decent house in your shoes I would definitely accept a swap in Frome.

Thank you for explaining Bradford-u-A! I will look into it, too!

I love Arundel. I should have added it to the places I have been to that I enjoyed. But thank you for suggesting. Its fabulous and the castle is so worth visiting IMHO.

It's our first time homeswapping so I'm not sure what to expect. I don't have to find someone to exchange with me, I need to find a home that are happy to have us in exchange for guest credit that they will be able to use elsewhere. I have two different families lined up to stay at ours (at different times of course) when we are away.

May I ask why Bradford upon Avon would be a better base than frome? Is it just location? Or is it a much nicer town? :)

Tag on Hauser & Wirth art gallery in Bruton & The Newt - book lunch there and you don’t pay entry.

Bradford on a is prettier than frome. It’s nice to go for little pottering walks when you’ve had a day further afield, for example.

We did a week there during Covid and did Stonehenge, Longleat, Bath, couple of NT places and a day at the beach. It was as good a holiday as we could manage for 2020!

Are you meaning to say I ought to raise my standards? 😆 lol

Thanks for this!

Sorry I think it came out wrong! We had a great time. Lots to do, very pretty part of the world.

I did discover that Uk holidays with kids are exhausting- a series of days out. We did Devon and Norfolk in 2021 and now we’re back going abroad!

Someone has already mentioned Weston super mare. My DD used to love it when she was little. There’s a pier with 2p machines and rides and a splash park/playground.and sand sculptures (if they’re still there!)
There’s also a marine lake to paddle in, if the tide is out
You could combine with a trip to Brean splash, which DD used to love too. There’s a fairground next door to Bren splash.

Salisbury, bath or Bradford upon Avon would all be nicer. I’d go for Salisbury myself.

Others have mentioned Bristol. I would agree with that. We The Curious is excellent. There is also a small but lovely aquarium next to it.
The SS Great Britan is fab & there is Bristol Cathedral & Clifton with its independent shops & restaurants (all up a very steep hill though!).
Bath is also amazing & Longleat is a must too but will be very busy in school holidays.

Thanks for your input. This is our main holiday and I am a country bumpkin.. but I do like a little bit of town every now and then.. I don't think I'd feel relaxed in Bath as I would in a smaller town 🤔 What size is Salisbury?

Fab, thank you for the Bristol recommendations. I'd love to see the George Muller museum and orphanages there - what an inspiring man.

If you're a country girl I'd definitely stay in Frome (or nearby countryside) rather than Bristol or Bath. Lots of lovely day trips and walks you can do around there.

Unfortunately, after all that, I can't get somewhere in or near Frome for this coming summer!
I have two options: Stroud or on the South Devon coast, a little place called Newton and Moss. I have been in that area of Devon and it would be great! But I don't know Stroud or that area, if anyone could give me a nudge towards the best choice I would much appreciate it!
Stroud would be a much shorter drive, but we wouldn't mind the drive to Devon as we will have two weeks.

Stroud is lovely! Have you been to the Cotswolds OP? If not then you should as it's beautiful. Loads of lovely quaint towns and villages, walks, and fun stuff for young kids. Plus Stroud is in the south western edge from where you can do day trips to some of the other places mentioned already.

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@Calmomiletea I think your trip options are more varied with Stroud- it is actually quite similar to Frome- same vibe too and similar size

Not many shops in Frome it's more a day visit.