Combe Martin, Devon

Description
Combe-Martin or Combmartin, a village and a parish in Devonshire. The village is situated in a deep romantic glen, opening into a small cove on the Bristol Channel, 6 miles E of Ilfracombe station on the L. & S.W.R. It extends irregularly to a length of about 1 1/2 mile. Some of the houses are very primitive, with cob walls and thatched roofs. There are, however, many modern buildings, and some good villas and terraces have been erected in recent years. Combe-Martin was made a market-town about the year 1264, but has long lost its market; is a seat of petty sessions, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Ilfracombe, a parish church, two dissenting chapels, a town-hall, and an endowed school. The church is Early English and Perpendicular, presents features of much interest, and has a very handsome tower. The parish comprises 3670 acres; population, 1407. The manor belonged in the time of Henry II. to the Norman baron Martyn de Tours. The scenery in many parts is highly picturesque. Silver-lead mines, now disused, have been worked at intervals since the time of Edward I. They are notable for a cup, weighing 137 ounces, given by Queen Elizabeth to the Lord Mayor of London, which bears 1593 date, and is still used on the inauguration of each lord mayor. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter; value, £404 with residence.