A TOWN in Somerset has been recognised by The Times in a list of the best towns and cities to do your Christmas shopping. 

Frome, Somerset, has been noticed and is a hot spot for many people looking to get their loved ones that perfect gift this year.

The Times has put Frome in a list of seven towns and cities which they deem to be 'The UK’s prettiest towns for Christmas shopping'.

Frome is a "second-home territory for big-name celebs" that offers that rustic old-town feel when you head to the high street.

The Somerset town offers a variety of shops but it is the number of markets that caught the attention of the judges and got Frome onto the elite list of destinations.

Other places that The Times have featured in their list include:

  • Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

  • St Andrews, Fife.

  • Cardigan, Ceredigion.

  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.

  • Ludlow, Shropshire.

  • Lewes, East Sussex.

The town is also putting on a Christmas Market this year.

The event will feature the Light the Lantern procession with dozens of people walking through the town, live music, lots of foodie treats and a light switch-on event.

The evening will see hundreds of locals gather in the town centre for the event. Shops, bars, cafés and restaurants will be buzzing with life.

Speaking about their admiration for Frome as one of the UK's prettiest towns for Christmas shopping, a writer from The Times said: "Do you remember when Frome was just a pretty English market town?

"Now it’s second-home territory for big-name celebs where the local gallery sells pieces for five-figure sums and you might spot Hugh Grant stopping at the bakery for a sausage roll. Happily, this makes for marvellous shopping.

"Try the Raves from the Grave record store or the ceramicist-owned Ground for pots and plates.

"Han-Made sells jewellery crafted from polymer clay at the Frome Independent market (first Sunday of each month from March to December).

"There are also weekly markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays (9am-3pm) and a flea and antiques market every Wednesday (9am-2pm). Stay at the Archangel, a pint-size pub with rooms."