Earl Soham is a thriving village situated in the heart of rural Suffolk set around 3 greens in farming land. The “Soham” part of the name means “homestead by a pool” for there was once a large mere or lake in the village, while the “Earl” part of the name derives from the fact that the village was once owned by the Earl of Bigod, who lived at nearby Framlingham castle but maintained a hunting lodge for falconry at Earl Soham. The nearby village of Monks Soham is so named because it was owned by the monks of Bury St Edmunds. The village has many lovely old thatched cottages and a fine church and it even has its own brewery. The above photo is of Cobbolds Row taken in 1887.