Ancombe is a fictional village located in the Cotswolds. The village neighbours Carsely, where the majority of the series' events take place.
Ancombe is known for its natural water spring and is usually the epitome of quiet rural charm.
The village is very small with an old church in the centre, thatched cottages, beautiful gardens and everything with a manicured air. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage)
History and traditions[]
Ancombe is the site of an eighteenth-century ancient spring. A Miss Jakes had discovered the water source in her garden and had it channelled through a pipe in her wall and into a fountain, fashioned in the shape of a skull, to be used by the ‘weary traveller’. It is still thought to have restorative properties and is well used by passing walkers. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death)
The Ancombe fair is an annual event held in the village during the summertime. The admission charge for the fair is ten pence, with programmes costing an additional ten pence. The fair hosts several competitions; including home baking, terrier racing, show jumping and the prestigious Best of Breed competition. Reg Cummings-Browne judged the Best of Breed competition up until his death, awarding the first place prize to Barbara James and her Scotch Terrier six years in a row.
In addition to the competitions, the fair boasts numerous booths selling old books, country clothes, dried flowers, local pottery, home-baking and local country wines. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death)
Places in Ancombe[]
Ancombe has a village shop and a church, but little else. The local pub, The Feathers, serves very good food, but is very pricey. (BOOK: The Agatha Raisin Companion)
- The Feathers
- The Long Arms
Residences[]
- Robina Toynbee's house
Residents of Ancombe[]
- Barbara James
- Ron Allen
- Judith Owens
- Angela Buckley
- Andy Buckley
- Gwen Simple
Former residents of Ancombe[]
- Robert Struthers †
- Robina Toynbee †
- Peggy Slither †
Trivia[]
- The real life village of South Wraxall was used as the filming location for Ancombe.
- Ancombe is roughly two miles from Carsely. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death)
- Agatha occasionally took water from Ancombe's wellspring to make tea, as the spring's water was softer than the water which came out the taps in Carsely. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death)