River Frome

The River Frome rises near Bungalow Farm south-west of Witham Friary and flows north for about forty-three kilometres through Somerset. It passes through Blatchbridge and the town of Frome, then between the Mendip Hills and Trowbridge before joining the Bristol Avon at Freshford below Bradford on Avon. The river’s name comes from an Old British word meaning fair or brisk, first recorded in 701 when Pope Sergius mentioned a monastery beside the stream. The river has many weirs and bridges, some used for fishing and wild swimming. The weir at Farleigh Hungerford has hosted a swimming club since 1933, while the bridge in central Frome carries buildings across it, one of only three such bridges in England. Several mills once lined the Frome, grinding flour, dyeing cloth and processing wool, though only fragments remain today. The Town Mill’s old drying house and warehouses still stand near the main bridge, now converted to homes. Visitors can walk beside the river through Frome and downstream past Beckington, Rode and Tellisford. The stretch below Farleigh Hungerford is popular for coarse fishing, while the weir at Tellisford is a known spot for wild swimmers. The riverbank paths pass old mill sites and stone bridges, some dating back to the 14th century. The waterway’s flow reflects its ancient name, offering a brisk and fair setting for quiet exploration.