 The River Frome / ˈfruːm / , historically the River Froom , is a river in South Gloucestershire and Bristol , England . It is approximately 20 miles ( 32 km ) long , rises in Dodington Park , South Gloucestershire , and flows in a south westerly direction through Bristol , joining the former course of the river Avon in Bristol 's Floating Harbour . The mean flow at Frenchay is 60 cubic feet per second ( 1 @.@ 7 m3 / s ) The name Frome is shared with several other rivers in South West England and means ' fair , fine , brisk ’ . The river is familiarly known in east Bristol as the Danny . 
