Combe Martin is a village, civil parish and former manor on the North Devon coast about 4 miles (6.4km) east of Ilfracombe. It is a small seaside resort with a sheltered cove on the north-west edge of the Exmoor National Park. Due to the narrowness of the valley, the village consists principally of one single long street which runs 2 miles (3.2km) between the valley head and the sea. An electoral ward with the village name exists. The ward population at the 2011 census was 3,941. History Evidence of Iron Age occupation includes the nearby Newberry Castle fort. The toponym "Combe" is derived from Old English cumb meaning "wooded valley". It derives ultimately from the same Brythonic source as the Welsh cwm, also of the same meaning. The name was recorded as Comer in 1128. The 'Martin' suffix on the place name is from the name of the FitzMartin family, feudal barons of Barnstaple, from which large barony the manor of Combe was held. The FitzMartins held the barony following the marriage of Nicholas FitzMartin (d.1260) to Maud de Tracy, heiress of the barony of Barnstaple, until the death of his grandson William II FitzMartin in 1326 who left his two sisters co-heiresses. There are several disused silver mines on the eastern ridge and evidence of tunnels can still be seen, as well as the remains of a wheelhouse used to lift ore from the mine. There are items in the Crown Jewels made from Combe Martin silver and a large part of the war expenses of Edward the Third and Henry the Fifth were paid for by the sale of silver mined here. The unusual dedication of the Church of England parish church to St. Peter ad Vincula ("St. Peter in Chains") is derived from the ancient Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome.
One of the village's unusual features is the Pack o' Cards public house built around 1700 by George Ley. Reputed to have been funded by his gambling successes, it originally had 52 windows, 13 rooms and four floors (matching the numbers from a pack of cards). Village street It is believed that the street is the longest village street in England, but this is actually a myth. It was recently measured at around a mile and a half long. The actual longest street is Stewkley, Buckinghamshire. The myth has several possible origins: Combe Martin has the Guinness world record for the world's longest street party, this can easily be confused as longest village street (or, indeed, the longest high street). Many people measure Combe Martin from one "you are entering Combe Martin" sign to the other. One of the signs is placed an unusually long way from the village (approx 1 mile and one half) which can lead to confusion. Combe Martin has several very active pubs. There is a saying in Combe Martin that "At the George and Dragon they talk about my sprained thumb, at the Dolphin they talk about my broken leg." Basically saying is that at the pubs at Combe Martin stories really have a chance to be exaggerated and maybe such is the case here. Annual events At one time there were nine pubs: The Castle, The Dolphin, the Fo'c'stle, the George and Dragon, the Lion Inn, The London Inn, The Marine, the Pack O' Cards and the Top George. As part of the annual Carnival celebrations, there was a wheelbarrow race over the length of the village, competitors having to stop at each pub and consume a glass of beer before continuing. In 2008 the wheelbarrow race was replaced by a Fun Run and alcohol free wheelbarrow parade. The wheelbarrow race was reinstated in 2009. The annual procession "The Hunting of the Earl of Rone" features the rare hobby horse of England and a character called the Earl of Rone. The Hunting of the Earl of Rone takes place over a weekend, finishing with a two-mile procession along the main street, featuring, as well as the 'obby 'oss and Earl of Rone, a Fool, "Grenadiers", drummers and music, a donkey, and hundreds of dancers in festive dress. The custom was banned in 1837 (due to 'licentiousness and drunken behaviour') as well as the death of a drunken parishioner falling off of a wall during the celebrations. The Rone custom was reconstructed in 1970. Legend has it that the Earl of Tyrone fled Ireland in 1607 and was shipwrecked at Rapparee Beach, in Ilfracombe harbour, to the west of the village. In fact, he made it to the continent. It is an interesting and noisy event which takes place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend each year.
Combe Martin a little gem on the North Devon Coast. Cheerful, friendly and fun. Explore from Exmoor to Hartland, from Holsworthy to the sea. Combe Martin is the perfect place to visit for a short break, day trip or family holiday. Sitting at the heart of North Devon’s beautiful coastline on the western edge of Exmoor national park in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Combe Martin something for everyone. The beach and bay were awarded the Seaside quality award for 2013. Combe Martin offers a tremendous choice of accommodation from quality Hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast, self catering cottages and apartments, holiday parks and caravan and camping sites. Combe Martin also has a great range of shops and cafes where you will find everything that you could possibly need from top lifestyle brand clothing to superb gifts and provisions Combe Martin offers something for everyone including hours of fun rock pooling with the children, kayaking in the bay (available to hire on the beach), fishing, either sea or coarse, walking the southwest coastal path which runs through the village, visiting the Dinosaur and Wildlife Park and Watermouth Castle, coasteering and rock climbing , horse riding and much more.
