Frome

Frome, or FROME SELWOOD, a market-town of Somersetshire, on the Frome, a branch of the Avon, 12 miles S. of Bath (19 by rail). The surrounding country is very picturesque, and the town, until modernised early in the 19th century by the formation of two wide thoroughfares, was a quaint old place, with narrow, crooked, steep streets. Its parish church is a fine Decorated building splendidly restored by the late Rev. W. Bennett (q.v.), with a spire 120 feet high, stations of the cross, and the grave of Bishop Ken. Frome's specialties are broadcloths and other fine woollens, and it also produces cards for dressing cloth, ale, silk, &c. Pop. (1851) 10,148; (1891) 9613. Till 1885 Frome returned one member to parliament. The once celebrated forest of Selwood was in the vicinity.