Places of Interest

In and close to Frome:

Black Swan Arts

A contemporary crafts centre with gallery, craft studios and café. A regular programme of exhibitions in various mediums. Tel: 01373 473980

Frome Museum

Local and industrial history collections of Frome and area. Tel: 01373 454611

Rook Lane Arts

Rook Lane Chapel is a Grade 1 listed building providing an ideal setting for performing and visual arts. Tel: 01373 468030

Victoria Park / Mary Baily Playing Field

Formal parkland with bandstand, ideal for picnics and relaxing. Also children's playground and skate ramps. Paid activities: tennis, bowls, putting, boules (call tel: 01373 467596 to book or see Park Patrol on site). Café. Access from Somerset Road or Weymouth Road.

Nunney Castle

English Heritage. Ruined 14th Century moated castle in picturesque village.

Longleat

Seat of the Marquess of Bath, stately home with extensive grounds and Britain's first Safari Park, featured on BBC's Animal Park. Tel: 01985 844400

Shearwater Lake

Popular spot for walking and picnics, fishing and sailing. Located on the Longleat estate near Crockerton.

Cley Hill

National Trust. Iron Age hill fort topped by Bronze Age barrows with spectacular views. Located close to Longleat main entrance on the Frome to Warminster road.

Brokerswood Country Park

80 acre woodland park including children's play area, railway, woodland walks and fishing lake. Tel: 01373 822238

Southwick Country Park

100 acres of grassland ideal for walking, bird watching, picnicking and relaxing. Includes Hope Nature Centre with café and animal park. Tel: 01225 713425

Farleigh Hungerford Castle

English Heritage. Ruined 14th Century castle with unique wall paintings in the chapel of St Leonard. Tel: 01225 754026

Radstock Museum

Local history museum covering the social and industrial history of the former North Somerset Coalfield. Tel: 01761 437722

Somerset Lavender

A working lavender farm including a healing garden and small animals. Farm shop and cafe. See the process from the lavender fields to the finished essential oils. Tel: 01373 834893

Stoney Littleton Long Barrow

English Heritage. One of the finest accessible examples of a Neolithic chambered tomb, with its multiple burial chambers open to view.

Iford Manor - The Peto Garden

Grade 1 Italian style garden. Home of landscape gardener Harold Peto. Tel: 01225 863146

East Somerset Railway

Preserved steam railway with regular running days and special events including Thomas Weekend and Santa Specials. Tel: 01749 880417

Barton Farm Country Park

36 acres of countryside based around 14th Century Farmhouse, Granary and Tithe Barn with nearby Packhorse Bridge. Walking, rowing, fishing, nature study or picnic spot. Located on the Frome side of Bradford on Avon. Tel: 01225 713425

A little further afield:

Bratton Camp & White Horse

English Heritage. An Iron Age hill fort and white horse carved into the hillside.

Westwood Manor

National Trust. A 15th-century Wiltshire stone manor house with Gothic and Jacobean windows. Tel: 01225 863374

Kennet & Avon Canal

Level, safe walking or cycling along the canal towpath. Take a relaxing stroll, watch the boats or the wildlife.

Stourhead

National Trust. World-famous 18th-century landscape garden, Palladian mansion, parkland, woods and chalk downs. Alfred's Tower overlooks surrounding estate. Tel: 01747 841152

Gants Mill & Garden

Historic mill grinding corn and generating electricity and beautifully designed garden including sculpture exhibition. Riverside walk. Tel: 01749 812393

Bath

World Heritage City with world famous Roman Baths, Abbey, Royal Crescent and Thermae Bath Spa. There are numerous museums including the American Museum at Claverton Down.

Wells

The smallest city in England but packed with historic interest from the splendid Cathedral to the moated Bishops Palace and Medieval Vicars Close.

Wookey Hole Caves

Magnificent caves with underground lakes and the famous Witch of Wookey Hole. Hand-made paper-making and other attractions including Valley of the Dinosaurs and Circus Shows. Tel: 01749 672243

Haynes Motor Museum

International collection established by famous motoring publishing family. Exhibits ranging from 1886 to the present day. Tel: 01963 440804

Lacock

National Trust. Set in rural Wiltshire, Lacock village is famous for its picturesque streets, historic buildings and more recently as a TV and film location. Tel: 01249 730459

Chew Valley Lake

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Mendip Hills, surrounded by unspoilt meadows and woods the lake is a wildlife haven. Nature trails, visitor centre, tearooms, picnic area. Tel: 01275 333345

Glastonbury

Legendary resting place of King Arthur, the Isle of Avalon. There are impressive Abbey ruins and the Tor standing prominently over the surrounding Somerset Levels.

Clarks Village

Major Outlet Shopping Centre. Tel: 01458 840064

Fleet Air Arm Museum

Museum of Naval Aviation from early days to the Jet Age and beyond. Includes Carrier exhibition and Concorde. Tel: 01935 840565

Cheddar Caves and Gorge

Spectacular Showcaves and Gorge including open top bus, Jacob's Ladder and cliff top walk. Tel: 01934 742343

Stonehenge

English Heritage. World Heritage Site. Famous stone circle within extensive prehistoric landscape. Tel: 01980 624715