The London Borough of Frome, Somerset

Crocker and Woods coffee shop on St Catherine Hill in Frome, Somerset. (Philip Hill/Phil Hill)

St Catherine’s Hill, Frome, Somerset

In 2010 a little known metal detector hobbyist was pottering about a well-furrowed field on the outskirts of a small rural Somerset/Wiltshire border town. Stopping to investigate an unusually large signal he then proceeded to dig up one of the largest historic Roman coin hoards discovered in the UK, a pot containing 50,000 bronze and 5 rare solid silver coins that became known as the ‘Frome Hoard’. It was certainly a surprise for the town of its namesake, though not completely unfamiliar with notoriety, still able to throw to catch you off guard.

Many pass through completely unaware of its 17th century cobbled streets, suburbs packed with musicians, artists, the odd celebrity, a thriving music scene, popular festival, and nationally famous artisan market culture. Driving from the very top and through the center, you could easily dismiss the town, one high street chain store after another, a quiet ubiquitous wave that is sweeping the nation as many independents struggle on. Yet take a short stroll over to St Catherine’s Hill and behold a wholly independent string of boutique stores lining the stone cobbles, each more interesting than the last as they stretch up the slope to where the perspective converges.

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Post box attached to Frome landmark 'Valentines Lamp' a working gaslamp that is lit on the 14th February. (Philip Hill/Phil Hill)

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Chris Woodage, owner of Crocker and Woods coffee shop on St Catherine Hill in Frome, Somerset. (Philip Hill/Phil Hill)

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The hill could easily be mistaken for a swank London borough, as though Notting Hill itself was airlifted into place, together with all the coffee-drinking socialites that hang around those parts of West London. In spite of what they say about the condition of the British high street, this modern miracle has created a wonderful piece of culture that shouldn’t be missed.

Stopping mid-way at the rockabilly styled café ‘Crocker and Woods’ the community spirit is clear, everyone knows everybody here. Café owner Chris Woodage greets every customer like an old friend, frequented throughout the day by his neighbor store owners, stopping for a chat and leaving, coffee in hand, with a friendly nod on Twitter too.

For them the personal service is a reward, Chris notes:

“I’m not friendly because I want people to come back, I’m friendly because I want to be, when people return it’s because they appreciate the effort I give on each and every one of them”

It works too, I went in for a quick flat white, ending with a second one, some friendly banter, and a few laughs to go with it.

View more from Frome and the UK:

St Catherine’s Hill | UK gallery | Europe | Tear Sheets 

to commission this or any of my work please feel free to email me at: philhill@philhillphotography.com 

The Boiling Wells Hotfoot Jazz Band at a Sunday 'Artisan' market held on St Catherine Hill in Frome, Somerset, UK (Philip Hill/Phil Hill)

  1. August 17, 2014

    Hello Phil,

    This is just a courtesy email to let you know that we have posted a link to the article “The London Borough of Frome, Somerset” on the Images of Frome Facebook page. I started this community project a couple of weeks ago. The aim is to post historical images and their associated stories on Facebook (to engage the local community and access as many local historical photographs as possible). Once they have submitted photographs, appropriate ones are shared via a website called Historypin – the overall goal being to create a fantastic resource to support schools and encourage tourism.

    I found your blog whilst doing research for this project and just had to share it. I live in Aus now and get back home to Frome every 12-18 months, it’s developed so much since I left 10 years ago and I’d love the project to inadvertently remind the people of Fromehow special the town is in its wonderful creative way.

    Thanks for a brilliant article. If you have any images you would be happy to share we’d love to see them.

    Thanks,

    Claire

  2. July 10, 2013

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