VENUES IN AND AROUND FROME
The Frome ‘Venues’
This is not an exhaustive list – if you know a venue that you think should be listed here please let us know! – and the list is going to gradually grow. Basically, it’s the places where ‘events’ occur, be they large or small!
The Cheese and Grain
Everyone in Frome knows the Cheese and Grain (and an awful lot of visitors too) as it is situated at the edge of the town’s largest car park off Market Place. Built in 1875, the building was originally called The Market Hall but as early as 1905 it was hosting ‘non-trading’ events like performances by the Frome Amateur Operatic Society! The modern Cheese and Grain is a community-owned resource which works with the Town Council and other organisations “to boost Frome’s social, cultural and economic life”.
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It has a capacity of 830 standing and 500 seating and because of this can host concerts, trade events, markets, exhibitions – you name it!
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There are also three meeting rooms; two hold 30 and the other, 15.
It has a licenced bar and a café.
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It has a full lighting and sound rig and can provide the technicians for these as required.
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In 2021 a new air conditioning system was installed which completely refreshes the entire air volume every 6 minutes. If you need to host an event for 200 or more, the Cheese and Grain is the place.
https://www.cheeseandgrain.com/ 01373 455768 Market Yard, Frome BA11 1BE
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Rise (formerly The Hub Nub (formerly Zion United Reformed Church!)
Rise sits on Whittox Lane, very close to Melrose House, considered to be the finest private dwelling in the town. It ceased functioning as a church in 2014 and is another (privately owned) community resource following a restoration by owners Ed Roberts and Io Fox.
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The main space is leased to Rye Bakery and is a wonderful ‘open’ café and meeting place.
Downstairs is office space used by a community arts charity and above is The Whittox Gallery.
A very useful space, behind the café, is the ‘Old Schoolroom’ which can host large classes /gatherings (including dance etc; it’s a good space with a high ceiling) and upstairs there is the smaller Sun Room, for more intimate meetings.
https://risefrome.com/ 07712 523734 Whittox Lane, Frome BA11 3BY
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Marston Park
Located off the A361 Frome by-pass to the west of the town, Marston Park is set around a Victorian lake and has rapidly established itself as a place that hosts “performances, exhibitions and other happenings”.
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There are art displays there, DJ led evenings of dancing beside the lake (under a giant canvas stretch tent), camping / glamping, and splendid Bonfire Night firework displays. There are also art and craft workshops, musical classes, in fact, at the time of producing this page, there was Festive Willow Weaving, Raku Pottery, Slow Stitch Club Introduction to Mending, and Bruce Monro’s Field of Light advertised, to mention just four, as well as seasonal events.
It’s a beautiful venue and there is plenty of car parking just a short walk from the lake itself.
Although it’s just ten minutes’ drive from Frome and close to a major road, this is a tranquil place (when there’s no DJ on!); a place of rural idyll. Wonderfully, those who live in a BA postcode area are frequently offered discounted event tickets!
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https://marstonpark.co.uk Tuckmarsh Lane, BA11 5BP
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The Memorial Theatre
The Frome Memorial Theatre is a substantial venue. Like most of Britain’s ‘memorial halls’ the Memorial Theatre was constructed in memory of the fallen on the First World War. In its first few years it was a dance hall but when ‘the talkies’ dramatically increased the popularity of films it was converted into a cinema and stayed that way until the 1970s when enthusiasm for cinemas waned due to television.
The building became a theatre in the 1980s, it is fully equipped as a modern theatrical venue with a seating capacity of 240 and stages professional productions all year round.
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https://www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk 01373 462795 Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB
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The Assembly Rooms
It’s surprising how many Frome residents don’t know of the existence of the Assembly Rooms! These are behind the Memorial Theatre and part of the overall theatre complex.
There’s a main hall (which has its own stage, though obviously not on the scale of the main theatre), bar, foyer and well-equipped kitchens. The Assembly Rooms have hosted fashion events, corporate gatherings and weddings too; in fact there is wedding seating for up to 144 guests and shared use of the Memorial Theatre car park.
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assemblyroomsfrome@outlook.com 01373 465485 Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB
The Merlin Theatre
Situated on the edge of the Frome College campus, the Merlin Theatre offers a programme in striking contrast to that on offer at the much larger Memorial Theatre.
It is also host to the Frome Film Club showing niche world cinema and quality independent films.
There are adult and young people’s workshops (as young as six) encompassing a wide range of the performing arts.
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www.merlintheatre.co.uk 01373 465949 Bath Road, Frome BA11 2HG