This England: A Fabulous Market in Frome

Before our trip, we had lunch with our friends Mark and Martha, whose cottage we were renting. They gave us some tips on things we might want to explore while in Bath and one was going to the Independent, a market in the nearby town of Frome (pronounced Froom like broom). 

Well, one look at the website and we were all in! So the day after rugby, off we went, boarding the bus (which actually arrived on time right down the hill from us!).

The market did not disappoint. As we rounded the corner after getting off the bus, we were faced with hoards of people, all out having a good time on a day that looked like rain could come at any time. (It didn't until we were about to leave). 

This market really is the best of the best and a wonderful experience. There are loads of vendors spread out over a large part of the downtown area. You'll find every kind of food vendor with a gloriously diverse selection of ethnic foods, vendors selling veggies, baked goods, locally produced honey, olives, sausage rolls, and much more.

But it is also a magnificent craft and antiquing venue as well. We saw beautiful pottery, cards, fiber, paintings, the kind of thing one always sees at events like this. Another section had vintage and antique things, ranging from household items and china to vintage clothes.

There was also music. A busking stage greeted us when we arrived with a marvelous group playing traditional music and really getting the crowd going. Later, a pop choir performed and there were several performers on the schedule we didn't see.

For lunch, we opted for the cheese toastie booth because I cannot resist a good grilled cheese. And this was the best I'd ever had -- three cheeses with bacon and a little more cheese on the outside of the bread which got all crispy as it was grilled. 

 

The line was long. We didn't care.

The local shops were open, some doing a good business. I bought several books at a charity shop and Rick got a CD. We picked up a bottle of wine from a wine shop that was so beautifully wrapped, we saved the paper! 

Visiting a local festival is fun in so many ways. Although I didn't buy anything apart from the books, I really enjoyed seeing both the similarities and differences between what is there and here. It's reflected in the types of food, the merchandise, and the music. (And I got a great idea for something to try for next year's art sale, too!) The other thing I noticed -- the number of dogs.

 

We really should have rented a dog to take about if we'd wanted to fit in. Many people had them, at least one and sometimes more. 

 

And best of all, they are incredibly well behaved. I don't think I saw one dog "act out" inappropriately, bark, or growl at other dogs. They were unbelievably well-mannered in public and it was a refreshing change of pace!

People are friendly and while we were waiting in the queue for the toilet (which, by the way, the individual women's stalls would fit a person, a stroller, a dog and all their shopping with room to spare), we met two women who filled us in on some things we should see when we visited Cardiff the next day. Yes, a guide book can tell you things. But people often know.

We bought some sausage rolls for our dinner and caught our bus home. It was raining by then, and rather that go up the hill, we took a longer path to the cottage, which was a former rail line with wooded area on either side and a short tunnel. It's about twice as long, maybe a half mile (1400 steps versus 495 with Jeanie Legs), but much flatter, with a gentler climb. The first time I was on it I told Rick it looked like the kind of spot where people in a "Midsomer Murder" or Agatha Christie mystery might meet their doom. But it was very safe (apart from one section of the narrow road with cars and you find yourself plastered against a hedgerow to avoid an unfortunate experience). I even walked it in the dark by myself one evening and it was rather quiet and peaceful. I never felt worried. 

 And yes, we opened that bottle of wine. 

And served up with a little classical music, some bread, cheese, and a cozy fire, it was wonderful. (And so were the sausage rolls!)

Travel Tips:

• Seek out local events -- fetes, markets, even performances. It's fun to compare, perhaps bring home a souvenir or two.
• If you are in an area new to you and you don't have a good reference guide as to where to get back to your bus stop, for example, take a reference photo. We knew by shooting this pic of that tall building under construction that this was where we would turn to find our bus stop, so if we wandered too far afield, we could at least ask someone how to get back to this point. (Fortunately, we didn't need to!)

 

• Weather is funky. A nice day may turn sour, a bad one break into sunshine. Being prepared helps, and while you can almost always buy an umbrella, having a hood on a jacket is a plus. Read the weather report before you go and trust it as you might but being prepared is a plus.

• Tissues are your friend! When you are at a public event where many people may be using the bathroom, don't forget to pack some tissues in your bag, just in case the toilet paper runs out by the end of the day! I was glad I did. (And your hand sanitizer, too!) 
• Check out the charity shops! I'm not sure if this is UK thing or if it just isn't a "Michigan" thing, but it seems like many organizations (Hospice, heart association, animal rescue, Oxfam and others) have small but well stocked charity shops in towns large and small. The quality of items is good, sometimes stellar, and the prices equally impressive. One might find clothing, books, china, decorative items, art and much more. It's a great place for a good, well-priced souvenir!
  

 (If you missed our last post about attending our first rugby game, you can find it here!)

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