![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEieZg9AeIiY9F89pw0bw7aD09KcMsaZo8Zo9GsxPE4WgkwMwvZNKYlAUFVbSjh6UKDNSGLc1CRndn1X2PwQH_JUZ_sL9BrezZ_xyJlF9zVJFjUgL184onrhbprm-WXXIZYOH0-K0LucpAt1P8UZ31WaGVZ6V4U7Qx7dGQAt5VsPZzd_Qf32Xi2LGoXKlM8\/s3295\/Frome%20leat.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\nBefore we start, I promise there is no AI<\/b> involved in the
\ndrafting of this post, just good old-fashioned, hard slog on the keyboard. That is apart from me
\nusing the CAMRA pub website,<\/b> for useful and relevant facts, figures and other relevant
\ninformation, intended to convey a visual images) of the pubs concerned. I therefore
\ntrust that readers will find, what is in effect, a guide to five of Frome\u2019s best,
\nand most interesting pubs. There were others, of course, but my late arrival
\nmeant there was a handful of public houses I didn\u2019t get to experience. <\/p>\n
Our first port of call, and the source of a much-needed pint The two regular beers are supplemented by a single guest, \u00a0<\/b><\/span>It was especially good to see him again, The next port of call was Just Ales,<\/b> Frome’s<\/b> first micro Unfortunately, the photos I took, don\u2019t really do Cheap Opening in March 2018<\/b>, in what was previously a small caf\u00e9, Instead, I enjoyed a catch-up with Jon, Tracey <\/b>and Martin<\/b>, It is a grad e II listed building, on Known locally as “Mothers\u201d <\/i><\/b>and run for over 50 years<\/b> by Just a short hop away is the Griffin<\/b>, an attractive, The Griffin<\/b> is listed in this year\u2019s CAMRA Good Beer Guide,<\/b> Like the previous pub, the Royal Oak<\/b> had several drinking
\nwas the Three Swans.<\/b> A\u00a017th<\/sup><\/b>century, <\/b>grade II listed, <\/b>two bar pub in the centre
\nof Frome,<\/b> that is both quirky and traditional at the same time.\u00a0
\n<\/span>Extensively refurbished between April 2013 <\/b>and January 2014,<\/b> the pub has
\nan eccentric, but very comfortable and inviting feel to it. The back door leads
\nout to a secluded courtyard, and there is also a spacious function room
\nupstairs, that is ideal for meetings or small celebrations.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nwhich can be sourced from all over the country. The Three Swans<\/b> is one of the
\noldest pubs in Frome,<\/b> small in size but big in character which makes it
\ncustomers feel right at home. The majority of Pub Forum <\/b>members on this
\nparticular visit, were just making ready to go when Martin <\/b>and I arrived, but
\none person happy to stay for another pint was Stafford Paul.<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
\nafter what must be a period of over 18 months.<\/b> The Butcombe Original,<\/b> one of
\ntwo cask beers on sale that day, was in fine form, and just the thing after a
\nlong, and frustrating train journey!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\npub<\/b>, but to reach it we first had to navigate the historic and picturesque
\nnarrow lane, known as Cheap Street.<\/b> Characterised by a fast flowing, tiny
\nstream, which flows along a narrow stone gulley known as a \u201cleat\u201d, <\/i>Cheap Street<\/b>
\nhas certainly retained its historic medieval character. With plenty of
\nindependent shops and caf\u00e9s to choose from, this area of Frome<\/b> was bustling
\nwith people, drawn by the aforementioned shops and businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nStreet<\/b> justice, although with luck they do convey part of the feel of the
\nplace. Prior to reaching Just Ales,<\/b> we passed the relatively small, but attractive George Hotel,<\/b> a Wadworth<\/b> establishment, which was the pub I was
\noriginally aiming for, had my train not been delayed, earlier, by those pesky
\nsheep. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nJust Ales<\/b> seemed a good place to linger, and enjoy one of the two cask ales on
\nsale at the pub. It also afforded an opportunity of catching up with rest of
\nthe party; several of whom I knew from previous \u201cProper Days Out\u201d<\/i><\/b>. Jon & Tracey, Mick<\/b>, and Will <\/b>were amongst this group, but where was Stafford Paul?<\/b> I
\ndo recall him saying earlier that it wasn\u2019t his intention to complete the
\nentire Frome crawl,<\/b> and in mitigation he had started off on the previous
\nevening, with a stop-over in nearby Bath.<\/b> He and Martin<\/b> had gone for the
\nobligatory jug of gravity-served, Bass<\/b>, at the town\u2019s legendary Star Inn<\/b>, so
\nwhether this put him off his stride remains unknown, but it would have been
\nnice to have spent a bit more time with him.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nas well as a brief chat with the pub\u2019s landlord. Simply furnished, Just Ales<\/b> is
\nin the heart of Frome’s<\/b> vibrant St Catherine’s<\/b> district, and with seating for 30+
\npeople, <\/b>plus Frome Brewing Co. Devil\u2019s Backbone Porter <\/b>on tap, plus a fruity
\npale ale (Summer Breeze<\/b>) from Milestone Brewing,<\/b> this <\/span><\/span>bright,
\nbreezy and vibrant micro-pub was a good place to while away a summer\u2019s afternoon \u2013 at least I would
\nhave been, if we hadn\u2019t needed to move on!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>What followed was another walk up a
steep hill \u2013 this time
\nSt Catherine\u2019s Hill, <\/b>a thoroughfare once again furnished with more quirky and
\neclectic shops. We were heading for the Lamb & Fountain<\/b>, a stone-built
\npub close to the top of the hill. The Lamb <\/b>is a small and <\/span><\/span>friendly
\nunspoilt gem of a pub with fantastic views over the town, from its spacious
\nlounge room, at the rear of the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nthe CAMRA<\/b> register as “An historic pub interior of regional
\nimportance”,<\/i><\/b> as evidenced by the passage running to the rear of the
\nbuilding, and the old-fashioned off-sales hatch with a sliding glazed window
\nand a display case above. The door at the front leads to a very small public
\nbar with a Victorian<\/b> counter, which has a c.1960 Formica<\/b> top. The bar back
\nshelves are mainly original, and there is an interwar tiled and wood surround
\nfireplace with a gas fire in front. This information comes from CAMRA,<\/b> rather
\nthan AI!<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nFreda Searl,<\/b> this late 17th<\/sup><\/b> or early 18th<\/sup> <\/b>century pub is
\nnow run by Freda\u2019s<\/b> daughter, Sue. Freda <\/b>made no major changes to the pub during
\nher time at the helm but sadly passed away in November 2021.<\/b> Sue <\/b>has followed
\nher mother\u2019s wishes and left the pub just as it was. Our party took over the lounge,
\nleaving the mainly cider-drinking locals, to the rather more basic front room
\nof the pub. As with many Frome<\/b> pubs, cider is the main tipple of the locals,
\nwith London Pride<\/b> often, but not always, available on hand-pump. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nstone-built pub that was formerly the brewery tap for Milk Street (now Frome) Brewery<\/b>, which has moved to the outskirts of the town. Up to three Frome<\/b> ales
\nand guests, as well as a range of craft beers and ciders. The main bar retains
\nsome original features such as etched windows and wooden floor. We made
\nourselves at home in the large room at the front of the pub, as you can see in
\nthe attached photo. My tipple of choice was Funky Monkey<\/b>, a 4.0% Session
\nBitter<\/b>, from Frome Brewery.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nas is what, for me was the final pub of the day. The Royal Oak<\/b> was quite a hike
\nfrom the Griffin<\/b> on a road that was heading in the wrong direction. By that I
\nmean the pub was on the fringes of Frome<\/b>, and in the opposite direction to the
\nstation. So, despite the hike, and the far longer trudge back to the centre of
\nFrome<\/b>, I followed the others into the pub and purchased a glass of St Austell
\nProper Job.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nareas as well as an outside patio garden, but we gravitated to the large room
\nat the front of the pub. Given the distance back into town, I knocked my beer
\nback quite quickly. I was thirsty, of course, but being unsure of the route
\nback to the station, I decided I\u2019d better get going. First I had ascertain the
\nbest way into town. This was to follow the main A362 Broadway Road<\/b> all the way
\ndown into Frome,<\/b> passing Christchurch<\/b> and Portway<\/b> on the way, a distance of
\njust over 1.5 miles.<\/b><\/p>\n