Frome

Frome or Somerset Frome, river, Somerset and Wiltshire, south-western England, a tributary of the River Avon. The Frome rises near Upton Noble and flows 30 km (19 mi) north-east past the town of Frome, to meet the Avon at Freshford, near Bradford-upon-Avon. The river drains an area of 975 sq km (375 sq mi). Much of its course is through the soft limestone of the Mendip Hills, and its valleys support sheep farms. Towns along the river largely grew up around wool-based economies, the best example of which is Frome, which became economically important in the 17th century.