Combe Martin Museum

Combe Martin Museum was set up in 1991 by members of the Combe Martin Historical Society. These local enthusiasts approached Combe Martin parish Council with a view to renting one of their vacant properties, the old Rest Room, situated above Newberry Beach. Over the years the Museum Committee has raised funds and, with grant aid, has taken over the whole building. An extension has been added on, again with grant aid, to give more display space, storage and an area for a computer.

To the rear of Combe Martin Museum - Photo supplied by Peter Woodier

In the early years the group sought and achieved Charitable status as well as becoming a fully registered Museum (Museums and Galleries Commission). Combe Martin Museum is organised and run entirely by volunteers. We are fortunate in having curatorial advice and assistance from the Museum of North Devon in Barnstaple. Village support for our enterprise has been unstinting and generous from the very beginning and
many of our original volunteers still continue to help today.

Combe Martin has a rich and unique history. The Museum's brief sets out to interpret the past industries of silver and lead mining, smelting, lime quarrying and burning. Horticulture, particularly the production of early crops such as strawberries and potatoes, was a key feature of the area and continues today to some extent. Medieval 'strip' fields are still in evidence on south facing slopes.

Combe Martin - Photo supplied by Peter Woodier

Agriculture, fishing and trading by sea were also important industries. The social life of the village is also interpreted within the Museum. The annual ceremony, 'The Hunting of the Earl of Rone' involves music, dancing and a Hobby Horse.

A fabulous small museum which illustrates Combe Martin's history with artefacts, photographs, maps and pictures of the old village industries in silver mining, lime quarrying and burning, agriculture and horticulture together with details of its maritime history

• Suitable for disabled
• Toilets and gift shop
• Picnic areas

Tel 01271 882636

Contributed by: John Jenkins