Modified on February 07, 2026

Last Reviewed: February 07, 2026

There's Lots Happening in Combe Martin During 2026!

Published by the Combe Martin Village History Project (CMVHP)

This unofficial information is up to date and accurate to the best of our knowledge

Photographs are included on this page

Contact the Venues for More Details & Tickets

CMVHP Does Not Organise Any Events

This independent website has no connection or affiliation with any other organisation.

We can only post information that is made available to us.

For official details please contact the respective venues and organisers.

Combe Martin Events Unofficial Overview

We are not liable for any alterations, cancellations, or inaccuracies.

Beyond listings, this page weaves-in context about longstanding customs (Earl of Rone, carnival history, Uncle Tom Cobley float, VE‑Day commemorations) and provides downloadable historic material (e.g., 1945 tradespeople list), turning a what’s‑on guide into a mini community‑history hub.

Combe Martin Events Forecast (Unofficial) 2026

Combe Martin Village Events 2026

In-Depth Unofficial Guide

• For updating information on Combe Martin Village Hall events, go to What's on at Combe Martin Village Hall↗. Visit the Village Hall on Facebook↗. The venue has a licensed Bar and can be hired.

• Combe Martin Village Hall: 2026 | 25 April, 7:30 PM: Sheila's Island (Stage show).

• Combe Martin Village Hall: 2026 | 04 April, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Understanding Your Tarot Workshop.

• Combe Martin Village Hall: 2026 | 21 February, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Farmers' Market & Craft Fair. 

• Combe Martin Village Hall: 2026 | 11 February, 6:00 PM: Bingo Night.

• Combe Martin Village Hall: 2026 | 30 Jan; 31 Jan; 01 Feb: Robin Hood and The Babes In The Wood (Show). Tickets available from Combe Martin's The Castle Inn and the Community Shop. Cutoff dates may apply to bookings. Details and showtimes as advertised and listed to the best of our knowledge:

• - Friday 30 January, 7:30PM.
  - Saturday 31 January, 2PM & 7:30PM.
  - Sunday 01 February, 2PM.

• Combe Martin Village Hall Book Fair: from Wednesday 17th December (afternoon) to Saturday 3rd January (taking down Sunday 4th January 2026). Pre-loved clothing is often on sale at these fairs.

• Visit Combe Martin Museum> on Cross Street near the Kiln Car Park and beach. A self-funded museum - opens daily for tourist information, Gift shop, maps, books. South West Coast Path Passport stamp↗ The museum calendar of events↗ is available at the new website Combemartinmuseum.org↗.

• View the past and future events listings for Combe Martin Museum & Information Point↗

• Combe Martin Farmers' Markets 2026: The next monthly Shammickite Farmers' Market and Craft Fair, at Combe Martin Village Hall↗, High Street, is advertised for Saturday 21st February 2026, 9.30am to 12.30pm. £6.00 per table or turn up at the Village Hall at 8:30 am. Food and beverages may be available.

• Churches: Our Combe Martin Parish church, Baptist and Methodist churches, run services, coffee mornings, shows, lunches and community events during the year.

• Combe Martin Pubs Folk Music and Entertainment: Check with the local Pubs and in the Shammickite magazine available from local outlets.

• "VE Day 80" (2025) - Combe Martin commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Combe Martin Village Hall Book Sales (Holiday Periods)

Old Photos of Combe Martin Summer Carnival 

Highlights of the Combe Martin Carnival 

The Annual Earl of Rone Festival in Combe Martin, May Bank Holiday

Combe Martin Village Hall holds Numerous Events throughout the Year

Home Page | Photo Gallery  

Community | Tourism FAQ 

The organisations listed here should have up-to-date information for their respective events, which may be subject to change. Check in the Shammickite magazine and on social media.

Combe Martin Museum> on Cross Street EX34 0DH. Call 01271-889031. Re-opens on February 09, 2026. (Winter Hours) Mon-Fri 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM until further notice. Hosts events, coffee mornings, sea safaris, craft days and presentations. 

Daytime and evening events take place in the Museum Sail Loft. Bookings for these events are usually available in advance from Combe Martin Museum. Call 01271-889031 during opening hours 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Monday to Friday (winter opening hours).

Combe Martin Village Hall> on the High Street, formerly the Drill Hall, has a busy calendar> with shows, Bingo, markets, plant sales and crafts, sports, and local clubs throughout 2026. 

The Annual Hunting of the Earl of Rone> is a historic Combe Martin festival that traditionally takes place during May, over the last four days of every Spring Bank Holiday. 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 ➡

Combe Martin’s Strawberry Fair marks the start of Combe Martin's famous 'strawberry season' each June. The annual Strawberry Fair including crafts and activities usually take place at Combe Martin Village Hall, High Street, and on the old Bowling Green behind the Castle Inn on Castle Street.

Christian Social Events: Our Combe Martin Anglican, Baptist, and Methodist churches host various activities throughout the year, including services, coffee mornings, flower shows, lunches, and community events.

Combe Martin Clubs such as the Women's Institute and Garden Club meet at St. Peter's Church Hall. Details and dates are shared on social media, and in the Shammickite magazine available from local outlets.

Combe Martin's August Carnival has been a cherished local tradition for over a century, and does not happen every year. The local summer custom features a vibrant parade with costumes, music, elaborately decorated floats, and carts.

When the carnival does take place, it usually includes a wheelbarrow race along the village's main street.

Combe Martin's Carnival 2024 took place on August 10th. A popular and unique event, spectators lined the streets and gathered on the harbour beach to enjoy the festivities. The community> is keen to preserve this long-running local custom for the future.

The Uncle Tom Cobley float usually brings up the rear of the carnival 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 (LGT): On its way round North Devon, the annual North Devon Grand Tour (LGT) passes through Combe Martin usually in August at about 3:30 pm. It then passes through Ilfracombe on its way to Fremington.

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

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 often holds 'Messy Church', crafts, games and activities. 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.

In 2024, the Hunting of the Earl of Rone> festival usually takes place over the last four days of the annual spring bank holiday. Official details and times are posted on the Earl of Rone website. Don't miss it in 2026, dates to be confirmed.

Over the bank holiday weekend, the Earl of Rone 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 Earl of Rone 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 details➡

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

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

Combe Martin's events are subject to change. Visit the Combe Martin Village Hall website> for news of upcoming events, meetings 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. 

We thank local archaeologist Trevor Dunkerley for the Carnival photo from 1956. 

Carnival Flashback - Do you recognise any local names in this local news item from 1945? Download the List˃

Past Events in Combe Martin (2025)

• Combe Martin Village Hall Bingo (Combe Martin Primary School PTFA), Wednesday 3rd December: 6pm for eyes down 7pm

• Combe Martin Village Hall Bingo (North Devon Hospice), Wednesday 10th December: - 6pm for eyes down 7pm. Bar Open.

• Combe Martin Village Hall↗ : Festive Christmas Party in aid of Blood Cancer UK: Sat 29th November 7pm to 11.45pm. Includes Food & DJ. Bar open 6.45pm. Tickets £24 Last day to Book 23rd November: Tel: 07790 043281,

• There was a Wreath-Making Workshop at Combe Martin Village Hall on November 22, 2025.

• Bingo Night, November 26, 7:00 pm. Festive Christmas: November 29, evening.

• Village Hall Panto: Jack & His Thumping Great Stalk: Saturday 6th December 2025 at 7:30PM. Tickets are available online↗

• The Combe Martin Summer Flower Festival took place during August 8th to August 10th, at St Peter ad Vincula Church↗. 

• Books and Jeans Fair: Thousands of books, and beloved denims, are periodically on sale at Combe Martin Village Hall ↗ during holiday periods>. The Summer Book Fair took place over three weeks, 0800 - 1800 hrs), from July 23rd (setting-up) to August 30, 2025 (taking-down at 9:00 AM).

• Combe Martin Village Hall Christmas Party 2025↗ on Saturday, November 29 | 7:00 pm - 11:45 pm.

• The Legendary Mini Cars Grand Tour 2025: This annual motoring event, with up to 250 Mini cars, passed through Combe Martin on Monday August 25^th, at about 3:30 pm (see the itinerary).

• Pick up the Shammickite Magazine available from local outlets. And check events on social media. 

• Combe Martin Museum is holding presentations and evening events. These are advertised on social media, in Combe Martin Museum window, and on their notice boards.

• The Annual Hunting the Earl of Rone at Combe Martin↗: In 2025, over the weekend of 23rd May to 26th May 2025. Festivities take place over the last four days of every spring bank holiday. 

• The Earl of Rone festival features a parade, bands and dancers, with the Monday evening finale on the Seaside harbour beach. See the itinerary > Book your holiday in advance.

• Combe Martin Strawberry Fair 2025 took place on June 22, 2025, on the Bowling Green behind the Castle Inn on Castle Street.

• Combe Martin's Summer Carnival: Last held on August 10th, 2024, and usually features a parade, Carnival Queen, costumes, floats, carts and a wheelbarrow race. Plans for 2025 are not available.

• "VE Day 80" - the town commemorated the 80th anniversary of  VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

• Watermouth Castle Car Show: May 11, 2025 | 10.00 AM 4.00 PM. More info at Visit Ilfracombe.

 Introduction to Combe Martin

Visit Combe Martin | Local Silver Mining | Village Hall 

| Enlarge the following pictures for clarity by using the arrows | Our pictures are subject to copyright |

Our Combe Martin Earl of Rone Video on YouTube