Combe Martin

COMBE MARTIN is said to have the longest village street in the country (it’s two miles!) and is a seaside resort set amid spectacular coastal scenery. It’s a superb centre for walking and riding, with footpaths and bridleways heading off in all directions from the village.

In bygone days Combe Martin was noted for its silver mining, hemp and strawberry growing. All that is left now are the strawberries growing on the steep slopes rising from the Umber River Valley.

The beach is a mix of sand and pebbles which at low tide extends into large areas of firm, clean sand. There are also some attractive and secluded beaches. The natural harbour is a favourite venue for visitors in the summer. From its cliffs there are great views and, on a fine day, you can see the Welsh coast.

Combe Martin‘s best-known landmark is the unique Pack of Cards public house, said to have been built by a local man who won a fortune at cards. Into a 52 square foot area it packs four floors, 13 doors, 13 fireplaces, 52 stairs and 52 windows!
Combe Martin is popular with visitors for its annual carnival and the traditional Hunting of the Earl of Rone ceremony, complete with hobby horse, fool and processions through the streets.

Along this stretch of the coast are other pretty villages like Berrynarbor, winner of a Best Kept Village award, where houses cluster around an historic 15th century Manor.

Further north along the A39 is Parracombe. Close to its 11th century church are two cottages where they used to brew ale for the church worshippers! North of Parracombe, at Hunters Inn, is the start of a spectacular walk to Heddons Mouth. Follow the path through a beautiful glen and you reach a dramatic cut in the 700ft cliffs. It is a superb sight with trees clinging to the sheer sides of the cliffs.

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park

• Combe Martin Wildlife Park is a truly wild experience!

Blood curdling roars are echoing across the once peaceful valley of a North Devon village as a deadly predator from before the dawn of time once again stalks the earth.

A full-size Tyrannosaurus Rex now greets awe-struck visitors to Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. The park's latest and most eye-catching attraction, ‘T-Rex’ was created by Nimba Creations of Barnstaple using sophisticated animatronics and pneumatics.

The incredibly lifelike beast towers 18 feet above a pair of vicious Megalosaurs and performs a range of realistic movements as it snaps its jaws and lunges forward. "The expression on children's faces is absolutely fantastic – their eyes go so wide when they see T-Rex," said park director Will Palin.

The dinosaur's earth-shattering bellows are so realistic in fact, that when the sound system was installed, cattle in nearby fields ran in terror! "I believe we are now well on the way to producing the greatest dinosaur show on earth, which is an immense tribute to everyone here," added park founder Bob Butcher.