It’s time to take a break this Easter and immerse yourself in all that our beautiful county has to offer by taking friends and family to new and exciting places this spring.
The Easter weekend is a time for family gatherings and with lighter , longer evenings, and the renewal of spring, many families look forward to being out and about after the winter chill. Easter egg hunts are popular activities for all the family to take part in. Searching high and low for those delicious eggs, that you can crack open and enjoy over the holiday, may be closer than you think.
Brookover Farm is offering an Easter egg hunt, for children of all ages, on Friday 30th March, with every child guaranteed an egg. Whilst you are there, you can also meet the ponies and the mini Shetlands. The hunt is just £3 per child from 12noon till 4pm. To book call Heather on 07730 357334.
Is chocolate not your thing but still want to give something special to the ones you love this Easter? There are plenty of personalised gifts on offer across Frome including gifts from Enigma Pottery on Vicarage Street, or why not treat them to private tuition so they can make their own personal piece?
It is also the return of The Frome Independent Market this Easter Sunday, which features a plethora of independent trade stands. You could spend the day browsing the stalls for that perfect Easter gift, handmade and crafted by local creatives. See full story on page 4.
Or take a trip to Pyle Farm on Truddox Hill where a new country market will allow you to explore stalls, try new foods, pet animals and ride on tractors! The first pop-up event is on Sunday 8th April from 10am-4pm.
What’s more spring-like than newborn baby animals? Take the little ones to experience Fairfield Farm College’s Animal Walk in Dilton Marsh near Westbury, which re-opens this Friday 30th March. You can meet their new piglets, lambs and kids. It’s free entry, with the opportunity to buy animal food and get up close and personal to this year’s new arrivals.
After all the excitement of eggs, gifts, you can relax with a tasty Easter roast dinner at The Somerset Arms at Maiden Bradley. Treat your family at the ‘The best pub for smiles’ or join in their Easter Monday event Tractors ‘n’ Trotters – a tractor and vintage vehicle rally with a hog roast. Call 01985 844207 to book.
One of the highlights of Easter locally is Mells Daffodil Day on Easter Monday, 2nd April, which this year will be opened by world famous ballet dancer Carlos Acosta.
The event, which is now in its 39th year, regularly attracts around 10,000 people and free buses with be running from Frome.
You can expect plenty of traditional village entertainment – town criers, Morris dancers, ferret racing, birds of prey, a tug-of-war, Punch and Judy, a dog show, stationary engines, classic cars, food and street stalls. It’s a great family day out with lots of fun things for youngsters to do – teddy bear parachuting, an Easter bonnet competition, circus skills, face painting, arts and crafts, children’s games and races, along with a bouncy castle. There is also a great line up of live music.
For more details, visit www. mellsdaffodilfestival.co.uk
Get outside and enjoy the beauty of springtime, spend time with your friends and family taking part in events and activities, eating good food and then walking it off in the spring sunshine.
Trip Advisor’s Top 10 things to do in & around Frome
1. The Walled Garden at Mells – A seasonal outdoor cafe and plant nursery set within a small and pretty walled garden in the village of Mells. BA11 3PN
2. Catherine Hill – This hill is a famous landmark of Frome. It is an ancient street lined with quirky shops and on market Sunday, stalls and street merchants. Steep and cobbled, it is the epitome of streets of this era and most charming.
3. Nunney Castle – A picturesque moated medieval castle, Nunney Castle in Somerset dates from the 1370s. Though ruined, Nunney’s dramatic great tower is very well preserved. Its four round corner towers and connecting walls are tightly encircled by the castle moat. Free entry.
4. The Frome Independent Market – The Frome Independent is an award-winning, destination street market with a difference. It reclaims Frome’s high street once a month to showcase the best independent craftspeople, designers, makers, producers and traders in the South West. The first one of the year is on Easter Sunday, Sunday 1st April.
5. Black Swan Arts – A popular arts venue for the creatives of Frome and beyond, featuring contemporary and innovative art and crafts. The venue provides exhibition, shop, studio, workshop space and a friendly place to meet friends.
6. Westway Cinema – The Westway is a three-screen cinema showing all the latest releases for just £4 per ticket. Cork Street, Frome, BA11 1BL
7. Frome Museum – Frome Heritage Museum is a busy hub in the town with ever-changing exhibitions and events on the go! Completely run by volunteers, it has fascinating permanent exhibits and a timeline of Frome’s past. Donations are welcome. 2 North Parade, Frome, BA11 1AT
8. Frome Memorial Theatre – A 539-seat traditional theatre in the heart of Frome. The theatre offers diverse performances to suit all ages and pockets including upcoming shows ‘The Magic of Hollywood – Pasha Kovalev’ and Dad’s Army. Christchurch Street, Frome, BA11 1EB. www.fmt.website/.
9. Rook Lane Arts – Rook Lane Arts Trust was set up in 2002 to develop arts and education events in the newly-restored Rook Lane Chapel. It continues to focus on art and education but now through projects and partnerships reaching out into Frome and surrounding villages. Bath Street, BA11 1DN.
10. Merlin Theatre
The Merlin Theatre, a registered charity, is run by a small number of professional staff and a dedicated army of volunteers. It has a 240-seat auditorium with a smaller, outdoor, amphitheatre (ECOS) and their programme includes theatre, dance, comedy, live literature and music by professional and non-professional companies. The theatre shows films and runs regular classes and workshops and one-off, participatory projects. For details, visit www.merlintheatre.co.uk