Coordinates: 51°11′N 4°01′W / 51.19°N 4.02°W
| Combe Martin | |
  Combe Martin
Combe Martin shown within Devon |
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| Population | 3,839 (2001) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | North Devon |
| Shire county | Devon |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ILFRACOMBE |
| Postcode district | EX34 |
| Dialling code | 01271 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Devon | |
Combe Martin is a village in Devon, England.
The village is a small seaside resort with a sheltered cove on the edge of the Exmoor national park. Due to the narrowness of the valley, it is composed principally of one single long street which runs two miles from the valley head to the sea. The population is over 2500, with many Domesday Book families still in the area.
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History
The name is derived from Combe, which derives in turn from Old English cumb meaning "wooded valley". The name was recorded as Comer in 1128. The 'Martin' affix on the place name is from the name of the FitzMartin who held the land from c.1100 to 1326.
Local traditions
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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 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.
- Human error. On a hot summer day when you walk uphill from one end of the village to the other it can seem that you have walked further than you expected. So people, to save pride will exaggerate the distance walked.
- 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.
At one time there were nine pubs (The London Inn, Top George, Lion Inn, George and Dragon, The Castle, Pack O' Cards, The Marine, The Dolphin and the Fo'c'stle). 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. From 2008 onwards the wheelbarrow race has been replaced by a Fun Run and alcohol free wheelbarrow parade.
Several disused Silver mines are located 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.
One of the village's unusual features is the "Pack o' Cards" pub 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).
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 Ronetakes 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 behavior')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.
Local attractions
Just to the east of Combe Martin Bay are the Hangman hills, the Hangman cliffs are made up of Little Hangman and the Great Hangman. The Great Hangman is a hog-backed hill of 1043ft with a cliff-face of 820ft, making it the highest cliff in southern Britain, and can be reached by following the South West Coast Path which runs through the village. Combe Martin lies within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Nearby is Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. It is similar to a normal wildlife park, containing animals such as wallabies, free-roaming macaws, wolves and lions. However, there are also models and animatronic dinosaurs. The models are in their own area, Domain of the Dinosaurs, whilst the animatronics (T. rex, Dilophosaurus, Megalosaurus and Velociraptor) have an enclosure in the main area of the park. There is also a Dinosaur Museum with a fossilised skeleton and egg nest of some dinosaurs. Other attractions include a train ride with a massive flood of water, shows with sealions and wolves, a light show and a mock Egyptian tomb with hieroglyphics and mummies.
See also
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Combe Martin |
- Combe Martin Community Website
- The Hunting of the Earl of Rone
- The Hunting of the Earl of Rone Website
- North Devon AONB website
- Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
- Photos of Combe Martin and surrounding area on geograph.org.uk
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