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
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