Geological & Prehistoric Foundations

Combe Martin’s bedrock dates back around 410 million years to the Devonian period. Sediments deposited iron, lead, zinc, and argentiferous galena (silver-bearing lead ore).

• Great Hangman: England’s highest sea cliff, approximately 318 meters (1,043 ft), attracts visitors, authors, geologists and artists.
• SSSI: Combe Martin Bay and adjacent coves are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest due to their unique fossil and ore exposures.
• Cliffs at Combe Martin Bay offer a fossil hunter’s paradise, featuring brachiopods, corals, and remnants of ancient reefs.

Feudal Origins & Early Mining

After the Conquest of 1066, Norman Baron Martin de Tours established the manor; the name “Combe Martin” is synonymous with “Martin's Combe.”

Circa 1292 marks the first recorded silver mining activity, referenced in historic works such as Magna Britannia (1822) and Camden’s Britannia (1586).

The 1568 Case of Mines legally confirmed the Crown’s prerogative over silver. A sample of local silver ore was presented to Queen Elizabeth I. Notably, all silver found in England has belonged to the Crown since this ruling.

Industrial Diversification & the River Umber

• 1837–1843: A steam saw-mill and shipyard operated on Borough Road, launching vessels via spring tides.
• 1845: Nearby Lower Mill was converted to a smelting works; a grindstone is embedded in Cross Street.
• Schooners such as the Mary and Elizabeth were launched sideways into the River Umber and outfitted at Barnstaple.

Victorian Enterprise & Artistic Legacy

• 1811: J.M.W. Turner sketched Lime Kiln and harbour scenes now held in the Tate collection.
• 1851: Exeter Silversmiths Ellis & Son exhibited a Combe Martin silver-wire casket and knitting basket at the Great Exhibition.
• 1938 guides by Ward Lock extolled Hangman Hill hikes and valley vistas.

Horticulture & Self-Sufficiency

From 1835, up to 96 families cultivated allotments, ultimately producing jam, fruit, and vegetables that sustained the village economy.

Local shopkeepers grew much of their own stock, with gardens all along the valley, visible in 1930s aerial photographs.

Maritime Trade & the Bristol Channel

• 1897–1940: The Clyde Puffer steamship SS Snowflake transported strawberries to Cardiff and returned laden with coal.
• 19th-century pilots skillfully guided vessels through perilous tides, documented in W. White’s 1850 Gazette.
• Migration between Wales and Devon shaped the local “Shammickite” dialect and labour traditions.

Social History & Cultural Identity

Combe Martin villagers and their descendants have long since adopted the demonym "Shammickite", the origins of which are uncertain.

The two-mile linear settlement follows the Umber valley, stretching from the Head Town to the Seaside and Cove.

Modern Heritage & Education

• 2012: Heritage group formed to conserve local history and promote awareness through museum exhibitions.
• 2020: Launch of educational programs in local schools highlighting geological and cultural heritage.
• Digital archives now collect oral histories from older residents for future generations.

Cultural & Literary Connections

Combe Martin has been the setting and inspiration for several regional writers and artists, blending folklore with natural history.

Its distinctive landscape continues to attract visitors, academics, and creative communities.

Glossary & Credits

SSSI

Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Crown Prerogative

Royal right to all precious metals found in England.

Shammickite

Local dialect term for Combe Martin residents.

Sources: Combemartinvillage.co.uk (CMVHP) ; Tate collection archives; North Devon Journal (1835–1930s).