Black Swan Arts
Black Swan Arts
4
Paint & Pottery Studios • Art Galleries • Coffeehouses
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Black Swan Arts is in the heart of the renowned creative market town of Frome in Somerset. Our vibrant and varied programme features contemporary and innovative art and crafts. We are a popular arts venue for the creatives of Frome and beyond. Providing exhibition spaces, courtyard cafe, shop, studio shops, working studios, workshop space, office space and a friendly place to meet friends.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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26 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
42 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
1
favonian_oxon
Oxfordshire77 contributions
Jan 2022
Called in for coffee and cake after exploring Frome yesterday. It's a pleasant enough place but chaotic and busy. On a cold day when nobody wanted to sit outside, there were not many spaces available in the crowded indoor cafe section. A bit of a bunfight at the serving area with multiple customers queueing in front of the counter and multiple staff standing behind the counter, only some of whom are actually serving, so I was unsure of who I was meant to be dealing with. Nonetheless the staff are all very pleasant and smiley and welcoming. Coffee and hot chocolate were great but the cakes aren't up to much, we had two different ones and didn't think much of either of them (although obviously we ate them). Bathroom is a bit confusing with a manual 'Engaged/Vacant' sign in use outside the door which customers don't bother to turn around so you have no idea whether you are allowed to go in or not. I'd come back here for their arts events which look good, but would probably go somewhere else for coffee next time.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travlintone
Chippenham, UK805 contributions
Mar 2020
The Arts Centre incorporates an exhibition gallery, a shop, a café and workshop/studio space.
The small shop had a fabulous range of items, many from local artists. We spent a small fortune! 😊
A ground floor café serves an interesting selection of light meals at reasonable prices.
At the time of our visit there was a fabulous exhibition entitled ‘Fifty Bees’ (free to enter, but donations appreciated) inspired by the work of Somerset Artist, Lydia Needle. The project features the artistic response of 50 other artists to Lydia’s environmental project to catalogue the various species of British bees through art pieces made from wool and thread. This exhibition deserves much wider exposure!
All in all, an excellent centre that deserves the support of everyone!
The small shop had a fabulous range of items, many from local artists. We spent a small fortune! 😊
A ground floor café serves an interesting selection of light meals at reasonable prices.
At the time of our visit there was a fabulous exhibition entitled ‘Fifty Bees’ (free to enter, but donations appreciated) inspired by the work of Somerset Artist, Lydia Needle. The project features the artistic response of 50 other artists to Lydia’s environmental project to catalogue the various species of British bees through art pieces made from wool and thread. This exhibition deserves much wider exposure!
All in all, an excellent centre that deserves the support of everyone!
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mani A
Bristol, UK142 contributions
Aug 2021
We were recommended this place by Baxter Creative. We arrived at 15:00 and there was very little choice of cakes and they didn’t have any soya milk. The cold drinks were okay and the brownies was very chocolately and the brookie was nice. Wasn’t overwhelmed by the choice or display of the cakes. Most had nuts and or white chocolate. This place closes at 17:00 however if you are there at 16:00 expect tables to be cleared away and lights to be switched off. Made you feel as if you should be leaving.
Written August 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
D K
1 contribution
Jul 2022
On our last visit to Somerset, pre covid, we enjoyed our visit - good food and bought some jewellery etc. So made a detour but won’t be doing so again. Tasty lunch but they don’t do sandwiches etc. Very loud music inside cafe which really intruded on what was potentially a pretty courtyard if it wasn’t for the litter which wasn’t being picked up. Even your publicity picture shows litter on the floor so clearly not a priority. We had to ask twice for a very dirty table to be cleaned and observed as the servers brought out food but didn’t remove dirty plates etc. on their return. Clearly not aware that it’s not great having to sit at a table with dirty crockery, uneaten food, flies etc. before anyone clears it let alone cleans it. Is it new people because they weren’t that friendly or helpful. Used women’s loo which had seen better days and had no soap despite covid posters on hygiene. Informed waitress who said it wasn’t their loo and they had no access to the cleaning cupboard. Which loo do they use I wonder and therefore do they wash their hands adequately? Seems very important in these covid times and especially in a catering business. Informed woman in shop as instructed. Her response was “I’ll make a note of it”. Really? It wasn’t I’ll sort it. There were no other customers so again hygiene wasn’t an issue and goodness knows when the soap would appear. So covid has left no legacy re cleanliness and hygiene being a priority. Very disappointed especially as we’d made a detour on our long trip home. What is advertised as an info point was limited in leaflets etc.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rickybear
Bristol, UK6,108 contributions
Aug 2020
Situated next to the large car park at the bottom of town, which on Saturdays has a lovely local market.
We had a lovely ‘wholesome’ salad to share with a large bowl of chips, plenty to share. But there was other choices including breakfast sandwiches and poached eggs. A nice selection of cakes, all freshly made on the premises.
Chairs and tables inside as well as in a garden. Covid safe, praise to staff who reminded customers to wear a mask when ordering food.
So good we went back for coffee and cake in the afternoon.
Recommended.
There are also a couple of craft workshops to view and shop.
We had a lovely ‘wholesome’ salad to share with a large bowl of chips, plenty to share. But there was other choices including breakfast sandwiches and poached eggs. A nice selection of cakes, all freshly made on the premises.
Chairs and tables inside as well as in a garden. Covid safe, praise to staff who reminded customers to wear a mask when ordering food.
So good we went back for coffee and cake in the afternoon.
Recommended.
There are also a couple of craft workshops to view and shop.
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HawaiiSeaDog
Hawaii3,837 contributions
Feb 2023
Stopped here at coffee time. The coffee was great - it was piping hot which we really appreciated on a cold morning. Added a delicious cafe to go with it. The service was good and friendly. We might try breakfast next time we are in town.
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Danielle H
St Helens, UK31 contributions
May 2018 • Family
We just stopped in here for some lunch (4 adults 1 child) as we had never been to Frome so just went in the first place we saw!
So glad we did! We all really enjoyed our food, it was healthy and absolutely delicious with very generous portion sizes. There is also a kids menu available.
We had superfood bowls, buttermilk chicken burger and cauliflower tacos with little one having poached eggs on toast.
Would definitely go back again :)
So glad we did! We all really enjoyed our food, it was healthy and absolutely delicious with very generous portion sizes. There is also a kids menu available.
We had superfood bowls, buttermilk chicken burger and cauliflower tacos with little one having poached eggs on toast.
Would definitely go back again :)
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
H & R
Birmingham, UK105 contributions
Mar 2020
It used to represent a great variety of crafts, amongst which one could find the finest. Now, still above the tourist souvenir shops, it doesn't offer the best in originality.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
charliegraylish
High Wycombe, UK277 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
We stumbled on this lovely little cafe .
Nice staff .
Lovely scones .
We sat in the courtyard in the sunshine 🌞.
Just perfect .
Defo recommend ( it’s dog 🐶 🐕 friendly if that helps anyone )
Nice staff .
Lovely scones .
We sat in the courtyard in the sunshine 🌞.
Just perfect .
Defo recommend ( it’s dog 🐶 🐕 friendly if that helps anyone )
Written September 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave
1 contribution
Aug 2019
The food was good however the false smiles and attitude of a member of staff very disappointing and then to crown it off having the embarrassment of being called back in public view of others saying I hadn't paid when I had, 95 pounds to be exact. First and last visit will go back to friendly café in the square.
Written August 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Black Swan Arts (Frome) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Swan Arts
- Black Swan Arts is open:
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Black Swan Arts:
- (0.10 mi) George Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Archangel
- (0.07 mi) Blue Boar Inn
- (0.14 mi) Idyllic Period Cottage in the heart of Frome
- (0.19 mi) The Merchant's House Boutique B&B
- Restaurants near Black Swan Arts:
- (0.01 mi) My Greek Fat Wraps
- (0.02 mi) Lungi Babas
- (0.03 mi) The River House
- (0.03 mi) Good Pizza
- (0.11 mi) Thai Kitchen