Frome’s celebrated Walking Festival is back for another year, seeing the return of some town favourites plus some enticing new additions. The 2023 programme, brought to you by Frome’s Walkers Are Welcome and Frome Town Council and supported by Frome Selwood Rotary, boasts 18 guided walks centred around history, nature, the countryside and even dancing. So dig out your walking boots and/or your dancing shoes and get involved.

For self-guided walks, trails and activities, visit the Discover Frome website.

All walks start from the Cheese & Grain unless otherwise stated.

Walking times are estimated, so please allow for a later finish.

Friday 10th November

Plaques of Frome - 10am-12pm - Free
The trail follows the plaques established by the Frome Society for Local Study to explore the rich heritage of Frome through its buildings and the interesting people who occupied them, including figures like poet Christina Rossetti and the Duke of Monmouth, who attempted to overthrow King James II.
4 miles. All ages welcome. 

Family Friendly Nature Treasure Hunt - 10am-11:30am - £6 per family - Book separately here 
Led by Claudette Anderson from the award-winning walking and wellbeing app Go Jauntly, children will need their nature detection skills at the ready on this fun local treasure hunt. Great for toddlers, pre-schoolers and kids who are home educated. Come along, get involved and enjoy some nature connection as you go! £6 cost includes a free annual premium subscription to Go Jauntly.
1.2 miles, for children under 10 with their parents/carers
Click here to book your tickets.

Health Walks through quirks of Frome - 10:15am-11:45am - Free
Setting off at 10.30am prompt the walk will follow an interesting route in search of the quirks of Frome where you'll hear about some strange things that you'll see. There's an optional cup of tea at the end. This is a free Somerset Health Walk, these walks take place regularly to increase well-being.
2 miles. All ages welcome.

Health Walks: Stourhead and the Beach Clump Memorial - 10:30am-12:30pm - Free
A Health Walk is a walk done on a regular basis for well-being. This 4-mile walk goes on undulating tracks and quiet country roads. Meet at Stourhead National Trust car park, BA12 6QF. This walk lasts two hours.
4 miles. Adults only. 

Celebrated Women of Frome: Christina Rossetti - 11am-11:45am - Free
The famous Victorian poet Christina Rossetti stayed in Frome for a year and this walk visits several of the places associated with her and family.
1 mile. Suitable for ages 14+. 

Saturday 11th November

Nordic Walking Taster Session - 10am-10:45am - £5
“If you can walk, you can Nordic walk.”
Nordic walking is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. It uses specially designed poles that harness the power of the upper body to propel you forward as you walk. This taster session will teach you the techique of Nordic walking and introduce you to the variety of benefits it offers. All equipment is provided.
Starts at Frome Cricket Club. Adults only. 

SOLD OUT Plaques of Frome - 10am-12pm - Free
The trail follows the plaques established by the Frome Society for Local Study to explore the rich heritage of Frome through its buildings and the interesting people who occupied them, including figures like poet Christina Rossetti and the Duke of Monmouth, who attempted to overthrow King James II.
4 miles. All ages welcome. 

Orchardleigh and Spring Gardens loop - 10:15am-1:15pm - Free
Following the new Frome Walking Wheel, this walk will follow Spoke 1 going out of Frome into the Orchardleigh estate, along a muddy path around the lake, up to Lullington and then back into Frome on Spoke 11 via the Orchardleigh driveway, Spring Gardens and Whatcombe Fields. Please bring your own snacks and plenty of water.
8 miles. Adults only.

Celebrated Women of Frome: Elizabeth Singer Rowe - 11am-11:45am - Free
This walk retraces the steps of seventeenth century poet Elizabeth Singer Rowe and associates in Frome. Largely forgotten for a long time, this one time hugely popular and influential poet is currently enjoying something of a renaissance ahead of the 350th Anniversary of her birth next year (2024).
1 mile. Suitable for ages 14+. 

River Frome and Rodden Nature Reserve walk - 12pm-2/3pm - Free
The walk will start at Welshmill Weir and head through the town along Willow Vale, Rodden Meadow and on to Rodden Nature Reserve. An optional extra may include The Retreat to Adderwell footpath, depending on time and conditions, so the walk will take between 2-3 hours. 
We will look at the history of the river and the otters, beavers and other wildlife that live in and near it, pollution issues, flooding, development and the Friends Of River Frome strategy.
4 miles. All ages welcome.

Willow Vale - 2pm-3pm - Free
This walk will go along Willow Vale alongside the river and end at Tuckers Mill, telling the story of the textile trade in the area.
1 mile. Suitable for ages 14+. 

SOLD OUT Frome building stones walk - 2:15pm-4:15pm - Free
An opportunity to examine the many different stones used to build Frome with local geologist, Simon Carpenter. As well as looking at the stones, Simon will discuss how they were formed and what they tell us about ancient environments. Simon will bring a selection of local fossils to help with the interpretation.
2 miles. All ages welcome.

Heritage Tree Walk - 2:30pm-4pm - £7
Join local author and heritage tree specialist Julian Hight on a walk to see some of Frome’s most majestic trees, and hear about their history and lore. This easy walk will include Millennium Green, Rodden Meadow and Willow Vale, and will take around 90 minutes.
2 miles. All ages welcome.

CANCELLED Frome - Silent Disco Tour - 2:45pm-3:45pm - £15
Let Cheryl lead you on a merry dance through the cobbled streets of Somerset's famous market town.
Learn some facts (& some fiction) about the town's landmarks and musical whistory & get the insider info on the town as we bust out some moves along the route to Disco, 80s, 90s and beyond.
1.5 miles. Adults only. 

Sunday 12th November

Orchardleigh, Beckington and Berkley loop - 10am-4pm - Free
Following the new Frome Walking Wheel we'll walk out on spoke 10 through Orchardleigh, follow the outer wheel and return back on spoke 5 through Berkley Street. Please bring your own snacks and plenty of water. 
12.5 miles. Confident walkers of all ages welcome. 

A Very Short Walk Around the Long History of Frome - 10am-10:45am - Free
If you love hearing about local history but don’t fancy climbing a mile up and down steep cobbled streets, try this slow and easy version of regular walk Heart of Frome. Frome Town Guide Lisa Kenwright will tell you the story of the town in 45 minutes using just the buildings, artefacts and landscape that can be seen from the area around the Cheese & Grain. Explore this small area in detail, uncovering the hidden layers of the past and how they have shaped the Frome of today. The walk is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies; feel free to bring a portable seat if you have difficulty standing.
Approx half a mile, adapting to the group and conditions on the day. Suitable for adults and children aged 10+. 

Buggy Friendly Family Walk - 10:15am-11:15am - Free
This is an easy buggy friendly walk taking in some of Frome's beautiful green spaces: Rodden Meadow, the Old Showfield and Welshmill. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
2 miles. Suitable for all ages. 

War Graves - 12:15pm-1pm - Free
This free walk will follow the Remembrance Service on the Sunday so the start time may vary depending on when the service finishes. The walk will take in the Memorial Theatre, as well as the Christchurch war graves across the road.
Starts at Frome Memorial Theatre. Half a mile. Suitable for ages 14+.