The Bower guidebook
Sightseeing
Days out around the area
Nunney Castle
Castle StreetWalk along the river from the house to visit this historic castle.
Stourhead
National trust house and gardens with famous lake.
Shearwater Tea Rooms
Clay StreetLake within Longleat estate for walking and cycling.
Bath
35 minute drive. Recommend the Charlotte Street car park.
King Alfred's Tower
Kingsettle HillLots of walks nearby and plenty of parking.
Funny teashop at the bottom and great views from the top of the 187 steps. Kids can walk or cycles from the carpark.
Cranmore Tower
Long CrossFunny teashop at the bottom and great views from the top of the 187 steps. Kids can walk or cycles from the carpark.
Wookey Hole
Family friendly cave walk.
Cheddar Gorge
Amazing views along this circular loop.
Short but steep walk up to this hill for spectacular views across the Mendips.
427 locals recommend
Glastonbury Tor
Short but steep walk up to this hill for spectacular views across the Mendips.
Pretty village next to Whaley with post-office, pub, walled garden and church where Siegfried Sassoon is buried.
28 locals recommend
Mells
Pretty village next to Whaley with post-office, pub, walled garden and church where Siegfried Sassoon is buried.
Local Area
Places to visit locally
On first Sunday of the month (in normal times), this is a must visit market with fantastic food and stalls to cater for all tastes.
52 locals recommend
Frome Market
On first Sunday of the month (in normal times), this is a must visit market with fantastic food and stalls to cater for all tastes.
Westway Cinema
Cork Street£4 a showing with 3 screens. Latest movies and family showings.
Historic shopping street with independent clothes and homeware shops.
13 locals recommend
Catherine Hill
Catherine HillHistoric shopping street with independent clothes and homeware shops.
World-renowned art gallery and gardens. Free to visit. Excellent Roth bar and grill attached.
272 locals recommend
Hauser & Wirth Somerset
Dropping LaneWorld-renowned art gallery and gardens. Free to visit. Excellent Roth bar and grill attached.
The Newt in Somerset is a hotel and gardens with The Botanical Rooms restaurant and various take-away stalls for drinks and ice-creams. Look out for the deer from the tree walkway.
158 locals recommend
The Pilgrims Restaurant
The Newt in Somerset is a hotel and gardens with The Botanical Rooms restaurant and various take-away stalls for drinks and ice-creams. Look out for the deer from the tree walkway.
Kilver Court
Kilver StreetOutlet village with lovely (paid entry) gardens.
Last weekend in June for the best festival in the world.
45 locals recommend
Glastonbury Festival site
Last weekend in June for the best festival in the world.
Farleigh Hungerford
Wild swimming spot with rope swing
Palette and Pasture
Best local ice-creams with a petting zoo.
Vobster Quay
Outdoor swimming and diving in picturesque old quarry.
Mells River
Park in Great Elm and walk to Mells along the river past disused mill.
City/town information
A creative and historic town, Frome is a great place to visit for independent shops.
179 locals recommend
Frome
A creative and historic town, Frome is a great place to visit for independent shops.
Food and drink
For Soho house members, the outpost in Somerset with pool, spa bar and restaurant.
41 locals recommend
Babington House
Charity LaneFor Soho house members, the outpost in Somerset with pool, spa bar and restaurant.
Historic coaching inn doing lovely food with a garden. Booking advised.
123 locals recommend
The Talbot Inn
Selwood StreetHistoric coaching inn doing lovely food with a garden. Booking advised.
Free entry into garden with pizza oven going all summer.
37 locals recommend
The Walled Garden at Mells
Selwood StreetFree entry into garden with pizza oven going all summer.
The George
11 Church StWalk along the river and enjoy a Sunday roast here.
The best cinnamon buns and beautiful loaves of bread in a converted church with children play area. Also a take-away near the station. Yoga classes in next-door space.
43 locals recommend
Rye Bakery
Whittox LaneThe best cinnamon buns and beautiful loaves of bread in a converted church with children play area. Also a take-away near the station. Yoga classes in next-door space.
Excellent authentic Thai restaurant with ever changing small menu. Take-away that must be booked in advanced, or eat-in at weekends.
25 locals recommend
Thai Kitchen
8 King StExcellent authentic Thai restaurant with ever changing small menu. Take-away that must be booked in advanced, or eat-in at weekends.
Excellent restaurant in Frome. Spanish influenced dishes. Only open weekend evenings. Booking essential.
32 locals recommend
High Pavement Restaurant
8 Palmer StExcellent restaurant in Frome. Spanish influenced dishes. Only open weekend evenings. Booking essential.
Daytime cafe with adjoining shop selling healthy salads and organic goods.
39 locals recommend
The Golden Goose
1 Stony StDaytime cafe with adjoining shop selling healthy salads and organic goods.
French style bistro for lunch and dinner with adjoining cocktail bar.
59 locals recommend
Bistro Lotte
23 Catherine StFrench style bistro for lunch and dinner with adjoining cocktail bar.
The Three Swans
16-17 King StSmall central Frome favourite. Serves pies.
Excellent coffee shop with friendly staff serving a great breakfast.
32 locals recommend
The River House
2 Bridge StExcellent coffee shop with friendly staff serving a great breakfast.
Moo & Two
27 Catherine HillSmall coffee shop on Catherine Hill
Frāmā
18 Cheap StSpeciality coffee on historic Cheap Street.
One of three great small bottle shops in Frome for local beers.
19 locals recommend
Palmer Street Bottle
11 Palmer StOne of three great small bottle shops in Frome for local beers.
All day dining and evening drinks. Specialises in sourdough pizza and over 400 wines.
22 locals recommend
Eight Stony Street
8 Stony StAll day dining and evening drinks. Specialises in sourdough pizza and over 400 wines.
NOOK
14 King StTiny cafe serving breakfast bowls, poké and juices.
Roth Bar & Grill
Dropping LaneHigh-end restaurant attached to Hauser and Wirth art gallery.
At The Chapel
28 High StRenowned restaurant in converted chapel in Bruton.
Osip restaurant
1 High StHigh-end farm to table restaurant with Michelin starred chef.
Pub and restaurant at the end of a good walk around Rode to wild swimming and picnic spot.
16 locals recommend
Rode Mill
Rode HillPub and restaurant at the end of a good walk around Rode to wild swimming and picnic spot.
The Cafe at Nunney Ltd
Great for a cake after visiting the castle
Burrito Boi
Big burritos near the station