Museum photo identified as Stedcombe House near Axmouth

Midweek Herald: Stedcombe manor house as it is today - minus the porch added in the late 19th century and later removed. Photo by Chris CarsonStedcombe manor house as it is today - minus the porch added in the late 19th century and later removed. Photo by Chris Carson (Image: Archant)

A manor house mystery that has been puzzling historians has finally been solved - thanks to a Midweek Herald reader.

Earlier this month we asked if anyone could identify the building in a photograph unearthed amongst the archives at Lyme Regis Museum.

Officials were pretty sure it was somewhere in the East Devon area but were anxious to know its exact location.

After reading the article Mike Clement, of the Friends of Axmouth Church, provided the answer. He revealed that the building is the manor house at Stedcombe, a private residence just outside the village, towards Musbury.

He said the photograph was taken on March 10, 1907, on the occasion of the 21st birthday party of Maud Stephens, the daughter of Samuel and Amy Stephens, who bought the Stedcombe Estate in 1890.

Meanwhile an exhibition entitled ‘Axmouth Parish at War 1914 to 1918’ is currently being held at the village church until September 2, 10am to 7pm, Mondays to Saturdays.