Real, curated ideas for Combe Martin — the sheltered bay, the Hangman hills, the rock pools and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Combe Martin has the longest village street in England running down a valley to a small sheltered bay, which tells you most of what you need to know: it is strung out, quiet, and the good bit is at the bottom.
The beach is small and tidal — at high water there is barely any of it — but when the tide drops it becomes an excellent rock-pooling beach, arguably the best on this stretch of coast for children. Park at Kiln car park, which has toilets and a short path straight down.
The walking is the other reason to come. Little Hangman and Great Hangman rise straight out of the village, and Great Hangman is the highest sea cliff in England. It is a steep climb with benches on the way up and views across to Wales at the top. Wild Pear Beach, half a mile north, is a secluded naturist cove reached by a rope-assisted scramble.
Listings last checked: September 2026
A small sheltered bay that transforms at low tide into one of the best rock-pooling beaches in north Devon. Very little beach left at high water, so check the tide. Kiln car park has toilets and a short path down, with cafés, an ice cream shop and a beachfront pub right there.
A secluded naturist cove half a mile north, sheltered by high cliffs and reached either along the coast path or up through the fields — the field path is the easier one. The final descent uses a fixed rope after a landslide, so it is not for everyone. Sandy patches at low tide.
The bay and the coast path access from King Street, and the starting point for the walks up onto the Hangman hills. Few reviews, but it is the way most people leave the village on foot.
A steep 45-minute climb from the village to a summit with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales, and one of the highest-rated walks in Devon. Gravel underfoot so proper shoes, and plenty of benches for stops. Continue to Great Hangman — the highest sea cliff in England — for the full round trip.
A cliffside holiday park just west of the village with a lifeguarded pool, entertainment and its own path down to a private cove. Relevant mostly if you are staying, but the sea views along this stretch are the reason people book it.
The beachfront pub, much bigger inside than it looks, with tables on the harbour wall and views straight over the bay. The Focsle Ploughman's is enormous and is what to order. Very dog friendly, food all day, right on the coast path with a bus stop opposite.
A genuinely unique 17th-century building designed around a deck of cards — 52 windows, four floors, thirteen rooms per floor. Big beer garden with a play area and a stream at the bottom for children and dogs. Sunday carvery. No baby-changing facilities, which catches people out.
A proper locals' pub at the top of the village with a lovely beer garden looking out at the church, sport on several screens and the male voice choir singing some Friday evenings. No food, but they are happy for you to bring a takeaway in.
The highest-rated café on this coast, right by the beach — proper cooked breakfasts around the £9 mark with no extra charge for a pot of tea, good pasties including a meat-free one, and coffee people compare to Melbourne's. Dogs on leads welcome.