Combe Martin Events, Festivities and Markets 2024

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What's Happening in Combe Martin During 2024

Our most popular page, this unofficial list for Combe Martin's events is accurate to the best of our knowledge.

It is not an official guide; check with the organisations listed, as circumstances may change.

The meteorological summer ended on August 31, 2024.

We do not organise events, and this independent website has no connection or affiliation with any other organisation or business.

Combe Martin Events 2024 Highlights

  • Combe Martin Museum Events: Currently hosting Coffee Mornings, Sea Safaris, and presentations on local history topics: local Silver Mines, the High Street, and Smuggling.

  • Information and advance tickets are available for Combe Martin Museum events>
  • Combe Martin Village Hall Activities: Includes farmers’ markets, shows, weddings, craft fairs, book fairs, and various local club meetings throughout the year.

  • The Legendary Grand Tour 2024: This annual motoring event, with up to 250 Mini cars, passed through Combe Martin on Monday August 26th, at approximately 4:00 pm (see the itinerary).

  • Combe Martin's Annual Carnival: Last held on August 10th, 2024, and usually features a parade, costumes, floats, carts and a wheelbarrow race. The Uncle Tom Cobley float is a traditional highlight since 1911, and the current float has been used since 1945.

  • Hunting of the Earl of Rone at Combe Martin: The annual historic festival was held on May 24-27, 2024, featuring a parade and mock execution of the Earl at the main beach.

  • See the local Shammickite Magazine and social media for more information.
  • Read on for more details:

Highlights of the Combe Martin Carnival in 2024, when the Uncle Tom Cobley Float appeared again:

Combe Martin Museum> is holding events, coffee mornings, Sea Safaris and presentations in 2024. There will be presentations on the local Silver Mines, Smuggling, Old Combmartin Shops, and more. Advance tickets only available from Combe Martin Museum.

Combe Martin Village Hall>, formerly the Drill Hall, has a busy calendar in 2024. This year there will be farmers' markets, shows, plant sales and crafts, and local clubs. The popular Book sale returns in December 2024. Visit the Village Hall website˃ for the latest news.

Combe Martin's August Carnival has been a cherished local tradition for over a century. The annual event features a vibrant parade with costumes, elaborately decorated floats and carts, and a wheelbarrow race along the village's main street.

In 2024, the Carnival took place on August 10th. As a popular annual draw, spectators line the streets and gather on the harbour beach to enjoy the festivities. The community> is keen to preserve this long-running tradition for the future.

The Uncle Tom Cobley float usually brings up the rear of the procession, and it has been part of the Combe Martin Carnival since 1911. “Uncle Tom Cobley”> is a character from the famous English folk song “Widecombe Fair.”

The early nineteenth-century song tells the story of Tom Pearce, who lends his grey mare to a group of friends to travel to Widecombe Fair in Devon. Unfortunately, the mare dies during the journey.

The chorus of the song lists the names of the friends including Tom Cobley. The song ends with “Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,” and it's become an idiom meaning “everyone” or "a large group of people".

The Legendary North Devon Mini Cars Grand Tour (2024)

On its way round North Devon, the annual North Devon Grand Tour (LGT) passes through Combe Martin over the August bank holiday. It then passes through Ilfracombe on its way to Fremington.

Up to 250 Minis travel in a convoy, creating a spectacle nearly 10 miles long. The LGT is still going strong and raising charity funds after 25 years.

The LGT brings out thousands of spectators, and the highlight is the arrival and raucous welcome at Children's Hospice South West, Little Bridge House, Redlands Road, Fremington, Barnstaple EX31 2PZ.

St Peter ad Vincula Church> Combe Martin is holding 'Messy Church', crafts, games and activities in 2024. There is usually a Village Flower Festival at the parish church during August. These events and others are advertised on Facebook/St Peter ad Vincula Combe Martin.

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone> is a historic trad-folk festival that takes place annually in Combe Martin, over the four-day Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Recorded in old texts, this folk play was held over Ascensiontide until 1837, and reconstructed from 1970 onwards.

You can watch video footage of the Earl of Rone on YouTube âž¡

In 2024, the Hunting of the Earl of Rone> festival took place from May 24-27. Official details and times are posted on the Earl of Rone website. Don't miss it in 2025.

Over the bank holiday weekend, the Grenadiers, ‘Obby Oss’, the Fool, and villagers, hunt for the fugitive Earl of Rone in the village, finally finding him on the Monday night.

Watched by hundreds of spectators, the captured Earl is placed backwards on a donkey, then paraded, 'shot', and heckled through the streets of Combe Martin. The parade pauses at the Pack o' Cards Inn>.

The festivities end at the harbour beach on the Monday evening, where the Earl is summarily 'executed' and 'thrown into the sea'. Visit the official Earl of Rone website for full detailsâž¡

See the costumes, a video, and photographs, at Combe Martin Museum on Cross Street. 

Combe Martin Shammick Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair is held in the Village Hall> on High Street, monthly on Saturday mornings. Book a market table for £6. 

The next Village Hall market will be on Saturday 21st September, with various local market stalls. Refreshments and food are available. 

There is usually a variety of local crafts, gifts, home-made preserves, cakes, pies, plants, and fresh vegetables at Combe Martin Farmers' Markets. Visit the Village Hall> from 9:30 a.m., and get a beverage and bacon bap while you browse. 

Combe Martin’s Strawberry Fair traditionally marks the start of the strawberry season. In 2024, the annual Strawberry Fair including crafts and activities took place at Combe Martin Village Hall, High Street, on June 2nd from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Combe Martin Village Hall Book Fair is on at the Village Hall on the High Street from Wednesday 18th to 30th December. 

This popular sale features up to 3,000 pre-loved books on sale, all day and every day. Also, there is usually a Jumble Sale for adults and kids. 

Combe Martin Gardening Club and Women’s Institute meet regularly at the Parish Church Hall, Rectory Road, Combe Martin. Details can be found on Facebook and websites.

Where to Find Info

Check the Combe Martin Village Hall website> for news of upcoming events and parties, and check out Visit Combe Martin online. Also visit Facebook/What's on Combe Martin. 

Combe Martin Museum> on Cross Street is open on weekdays, and pick up the local Shammickite magazine available from several outlets. Also check with Combe Martin's Pubs> for their upcoming events and music. This year there will be beach parties with music.

The organisations listed here should have up-to-date information, dates and timings for their respective events which may be changed or cancelled.

For village news, check on Facebook/What’s On Combe Martin, or contact Combe Martin Museum Tel. 01271 889031.

The monthly Combe Martin 'Shammickite' news magazine can be found in several local outlets, including the Museum and Information Point on Cross Street, near the beach. 

We thank local archaeologist Trevor Dunkerley for the Carnival photo from 1956. And for his support to our project.

Carnival Flashback - Do You Recognise Any Local Names From this Local News Item? Download the List˃

Local Tradespeople Support the 1945 Combe Martin Carnival - The Combe Martin Carnival Committee [1945] wished to thank the Tradesmen of the Town for defraying the cost of the advertisements that appeared in the North Devon Journal-Herald.

The undermentioned volunteered to defray the cost:
T. G. Gubb, Grocer; Bert Squire, Garage Proprietor; L. M. Crang, Grocer; A. B. Ridge, Grocer; H. L. Shelborn, General Stores; Parsons, Bakers; E. B. Adams, Electrical Engineer; H. Goss, Hardware and Fancy Goods; Butler’s Dairy; Bowden’s Dairy; Sanders, Central Garage; Combe Martin Engineering Co., Ltd.; L. A. Norman, Fruiterer; G. Dinnicombe, Ladies and Gent’s Outfitters; Passmore Bros., Fruiterers; J. H. Sanders and Son, Ironmongers, etc.; Geo. H. Creek and Sons, Drapers and Milliners; J. H. Cleave, Bakers; Wm. Squire, Builder and Contractor; Fred Creek and Sons, China, Glass, and Fancy Goods; W. G. Savell, Boot and Shoe Stores; William Bray, Tailors and Outfitter. 

Also Jean B. Clarkson, Ladies’ and Children’s Wear; A. A. Savell, Fishmonger; L. M. Meakings, Newsagent, etc.; Wm. Delve and Son, Bakers; F. C. Taylor, Florist and Fruiterer; P. F. Beaumont, Stationer; H. C. Pugsley, Fruiterer and Florist; Madame Poppe, Hairdresser; Carthews, Tobacconist, etc.; A. J. Treweek, Bakers; R. Thomas, Butcher; Underwood Radio Service; Wm. Eastman, Fruiterer, etc.; Bingston Garage; H. Beaumont, Grocers; Leonard Sanders, Fancy Draper, etc.; B. C. Gribble, Printer and Stationer; E. A. Begrie, Jeweller; A. Venn, Bakers; Edward H. Dutton, Chemist; Seaside Stores (F. T. Morrish), Grocer; Warren and Son, Butchers; Meakings, Newsagent, etc.; P. Rook, Boot and Shoe Repairs; Lovering Bros., Garage Proprietors; A. J. Huxtable, Dairy; Norman’s, Dairy; I. King, Boot and Shoe Shop; Mrs. M. Williams, Seaside Café; John J. Oliver, Chemist; Wyld’s Wool and Fancy Shop. E2034 1945.

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Our Combe Martin Earl of Rone Video on YouTube