From humble beginnings to offering twenty walks over three days, Frome’s Walking Festival 2019 is suitable for all abilities. Browse the list of walks below then book your place to avoid disappointment. 

We also have three trails designed for families to do together. These are free and will be available from the Cheese & Grain between 11am and 2pm on Sunday 10th November. 

You can find out more information on these and all of the events listed here.

Please note: unless otherwise stated, all walks start from the Cheese & Grain.

Friday 8th November

Tunnels of Frome Talk - 7pm, Frome Town Hall. The Frome Tunnels Project is a group of “tunnel myth” enthusiasts investigating the popular folklore of the legend of Frome tunnels. Learn of their site investigations, historical document research, interviews and tip-offs.

Saturday 9th November

Saxon Kings Way - 9.30am. 8-14 miles. Led by Les Stather. This linear walk links two Anglo-Saxon kings - King Eadred, King of England (AD 946-955) died in Frome in 955 AD; and his nephew King Edgar, King of England (AD 959-975) crowned in Bath Abbey in 973 AD. The route links Mendip Way East with the Cotswold Way. You do not need to walk the full distance - you can catch a bus to Frome from Norton St. Philip, Hinton Charterhouse or Midford.

Children's Walk - 10am. Led by David Lassman. Approx. 45-60 minutes. A walk through the heart of Frome that will fascinate and enthrall both children and adults alike.

Longleat - 10.30am. Led by Tricia Golinski. Approx. 8 miles. A circular walk following field paths and quiet lanes, via Rodden Church, through woodland around the edge of the Longleat estate, to East Woodlands church, and back to Frome. 

Singer's Trail - 11am. Led by Lisa Kenwright.  Aprrox. 1 mile. A guided walk that will take in some of the important places in John Webb Singer's life and tell the story of his foundry and some of his most famous works.

Buggy Walk - 11.30am. Led by Emma Parker. 2 miles. Following buggy friendly paths around Frome taking in some wonderful green spaces: Rodden Meadow, The Old Showfield and Welshmill park and woods. There is an option to shorten the walk at the halfway point where you can wait with your baby if you need to rest, feed or change them and we will pick you up on our way back.

Rogues, Rebels and Renegades - 12pm. Led by Frome author David Lassman.  An eye-opening and entertaining ninety-minute walk in the footsteps of the town’s most notorious rogues, rebels and renegades.

Historical River Walk - 1pm, led by Phillip Gryce. Approx. 2.75 miles. A walk along the Frome to Spring Gardens, confluence of Mells and Frome rivers, returning by Innox Hill, with commentary on cloth industry, mills, meadows and more.

Orchardleigh - 1pm. Led by Rich Ackroyd. Approx. 7 miles. A circular walk following riverside and field paths into the Orchardleigh estate, where it follows a muddy lakeside path and then tarmac driveway, returning to Frome via Spring Gardens and Cooper Hall.

Saxon Frome - 2pm. Led by Lisa Kenwright. Approx. 1 mile. This guided walk will explain what we know of Saxon Frome, from its founding to the coming of the Normans and those traces that are still visible, in the street layout and names of the town. 

Pubs of Frome - 6pm. Led by David Lassman. This walk will take in the sites of a dozen pubs and inns – both past and present – to give the histories of each and put them in the social context of the times.

Sunday 10th November

Five mile walk around Frome - 11am. Led by Les Stather. A 5 mile walk around the green spaces of Frome taking in Packsaddle, Fromefield, Rodden Meadows, The Dippy, Keyfords, Victoria Park, Goulds Ground and Whatcombe Fields.

The Awful Killing of Sarah Watts - 12pm, lasts around 4 hours, approx 6.9 miles, led by David Lassman. This route will follow in the footsteps of some of the main characters in the book and visit many of the places featured.

Heritage Trees of Frome - 12pm.  Join local author and ancient tree specialist Julian Hight on a walk to see some of Frome’s most majestic trees, and hear about their history and lore. 

Forage Walk - 1pm, led by David Hamilton. Approx 3.25 miles. A trip through hidden wild corners of Frome to Rodden Manor Church. There has been a church in Rodden since the 13th century, the present one which dates from the 16th is all too easy to miss as you whizz past on the way to Beckington or Standerwick. As a trained horticulturist and Guardian wild food expert, Dave will talk you through wild edible plants on the way guiding you through back streets and meadows.

Health Walk: Rivers and Paths - 1.30pm. Led by Dorothy Ann. Approx 2 miles. A slowish walk including interesting corners of Frome.

Walk around Vallis Vale - 1.30pm. Led by Maggie Williams. Approx 6.5 miles. Join Frome Walkers on their regular monthly walk. Today's walk goes through Whatcombe Fields, Spring Gardens, Orchardleigh Lodge, Hapsford, Vallis Vale returning into Frome on the West Mendip Way.

A Sense of Place - 2pm. Led by Lisa Kenwright. A 90 minute walk explaining the history and folklore behind some of the local place names.  If you’ve ever wondered why Bath Street is not on the Bath side of town, or what is cheap about Cheap Street, this is the walk for you. 

Fecund Coming - 3pm. 1 hour. Rare Species’ comic take on traditional historical walks with a few unexpected turns along the route. Starts at Holy Well, opposite La Strada.