Combe Martin Museum

About the museum

Combe Martin Museum first opened in 1989 in a building above Newberry Beach. In 2009 it moved to its present home in Eberleigh House on Cross Street, close to the seafront and the Kiln Car Park, after a fundraising and modernisation campaign. It is an independent local heritage charity run by trustees and volunteers and is an Arts Council accredited museum.

The museum tells the story of the village across three floors. Topics include geology and the silver mining that once made the village known, maritime heritage with model boats, farming and rural life, and the market gardening and strawberry growing of the area. A life-size period cottage shows how local people lived, and a display covers the Earl of Rone folk festival with costumes and dressing-up boxes for children.

The museum also acts as a tourist information point for North Devon and a stamping station for the South West Coast Path passport. An activity hub for children offers fossils, microscopes and magnifying glasses, and volunteers lead seashore safaris and rock-pool walks in the summer.

Highlights

• Silver mining and geology of Combe Martin
• Life-size period cottage and village life displays
• Earl of Rone folk festival costumes
• Maritime heritage with model boats
• Activity hub with fossils and microscopes for children
• South West Coast Path passport stamp and tourist information

Permanent exhibition

• Local history galleries – Three floors on geology and mining, maritime heritage, farming, village life and the Earl of Rone festival.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Combe Martin Museum (registered charity 1167141)

Admission & discounts

Special events vary in price and need advance booking.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum describes itself as fully wheelchair and disability accessible, with step-free entry and a passenger lift operated by stewards to all three floors. It offers Makaton-supported signage, audio-assisted displays and a Talking Pen system, and quiet low-stimulation areas on request. Public toilets with step-free access and accessible parking are at the Kiln Car Park directly behind the museum. Guide dogs and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free. Families can use dressing-up boxes, colouring books, quizzes and a dinosaur hunt, and an activity hub with fossils and microscopes. Seashore safaris and rock-pool walks are held in the summer holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Cross Street, close to the seafront and the Kiln Car Park.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

A gift shop sells local crafts, cards, maps and books, and there is a copy shop. Free Wi-Fi is offered. Public toilets are at the Kiln Car Park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit