CAN you guess where this week’s Mystery Photograph was taken?

Each week, the Journal invites readers to test their local knowledge by identifying a historic location from days gone by.

Last week's Mystery Photograph was taken at the Last week's photograph was taken at the Edford hamlet, Holcombe.

Holcombe is a small village and civil parish located in the Mendip Hills, between Bath and Frome. Its name comes from the Old English for "hollow valley," and it has a long history that includes a shift in settlement during the time of the Black Death.

The original village site is still marked by the atmospheric ruins and grounds of the Old Church of St Andrew, a 16th-century building surrounded by ancient graves. This site, now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, is often associated with local folklore — one story claims it inspired the nursery rhyme “Ring a Ring o’ Roses.”

Today, Holcombe is a peaceful place with a population of under 1,000. It has retained its rural charm while supporting a close-knit community. The village includes several amenities such as two popular pubs – The Holcombe Inn and The Duke of Cumberland – as well as a recently revived farm shop. The area was once part of the Somerset Coalfield and remnants of its mining and canal heritage can still be spotted in the landscape.

Within the parish lies the tiny hamlet of Edford. Tucked among farmland and quiet country lanes, Edford is a scattered settlement of cottages and working farms that enjoy a tranquil and traditional Somerset setting. Though small, it forms an important part of the wider Holcombe community, offering peaceful rural living with easy access to neighbouring towns.

Both Holcombe and Edford offer a glimpse into Somerset’s layered history and rural way of life. With their historic buildings, scenic countryside and a strong sense of community, they remain cherished parts of the Mendip landscape.