Hunting the Earl of Rone

What to expect

The festival unfolds over four days. In 2026 there was an evening procession with drums on the Friday, a children's procession on Saturday morning, the main full procession on Sunday afternoon and the climactic procession with the Earl on Monday evening. Grenadiers in tall hats, led by drummers, hunt the Earl, find him in Lady's Wood and set him backwards on a garlanded donkey. As he is paraded through the village he is repeatedly shot and tumbles off, only to be revived each time by the Hobby Horse and the Fool. The final death comes on the beach, where the Grenadiers carry him into the sea.

The story behind it

The tale is usually linked to the Earl of Tyrone, who fled Ireland in 1607 and is said to have been shipwrecked nearby, hiding in the woods and living on ship's biscuits until he was caught. The custom itself is much older in feel, with its hobby horse and fool. It was banned in the 1830s, reportedly for drunken behaviour, and lay dormant for well over a century before villagers revived it in the 1970s. Today almost the whole village plays a part, from costume makers to the children who rehearse for their own procession.

Getting there and home

The nearest station is Barnstaple, at the end of the Tarka Line from Exeter, with buses and taxis onward to Combe Martin. Ilfracombe is a few miles west and has more accommodation. The village is long and narrow, and processions use the main street, so expect traffic to be held up and parking to be scarce. Arrive early and walk in.

Watching, taking part and tips

The roles are taken by villagers, so visitors watch. Line the main street to see the processions pass, and head towards the beach on Monday evening for the finale. The Earl may be shot right in front of you, with loud bangs, so warn little ones. Wear sensible shoes for the hill and be ready for the crowd to move with the procession.

Taking part

The Earl of Rone Council is clear about who joins the dressed procession. There's a traditional right for people connected to Combe Martin and the surrounding parishes of Berrynarbor, Kentisbury and Trentishoe, by living there, being born there or going to school there. There are Senior and Junior Parties, and a small number of people with historical links to the revival or formal invitations. So this is something far more particular than an open fancy-dress parade.

If you think you qualify and fancy taking part, ask the Council which party and rehearsal arrangements apply to you. Visitors without that connection are warmly welcomed as spectators. The costume guidance is for participants, not a cue to dress up and slip into the company. Collections are made throughout the weekend, and any money left over after costs goes to village good causes. Keeping a donation handy is an easy way to support the tradition while leaving its roles to those entitled to play them. Keep an eye on the helpers and step aside when they need to move the company along.

Make a day of it nearby

Combe Martin Museum and Information Point is a good local primer before you watch a custom so bound up with village identity. Its displays take in silver mining, market gardening and the strawberry industry, among other things. It also has visitor information including maps, walks and bus details. Check its current opening times, as a procession day may not be a normal museum day.

Watermouth Castle offers families a different kind of extra day. It boasts gardens and attractions including a hedge maze, mini golf, a toboggan run and the Fairy Museum. Look at the current calendar, admission and any restrictions on individual attractions before booking; a family-day-out description doesn't mean every ride suits every child. Both are separate visits, not part of the Earl of Rone programme. Saving one for another day lets you enjoy the village at the procession's own pace, without dashing off between ceremonial stops to make a booked slot. The museum gives you local context; the castle makes for a broader family outing.

Where to watch

There's one small moment you could easily miss if you're expecting non-stop noise. The modern procession passes Lynton Cottage in silence, in memory of a participant whose reported death helped bring about the old custom's suppression. If the company goes quiet, do the same. This is a living village observance with its own shifts of mood, not a show that needs the crowd cheering from start to finish.

The Monday photos on the official website also show the gathering above the beach as distinct from the final action on the beach itself. Decide which part suits your group, and keep the performers' route down to the shore clear. No photo is worth blocking the donkey, the Grenadiers or the people supporting the procession. If someone in your party can't keep up with a moving crowd, ask the Council about a suitable fixed viewing spot and the current access arrangements. We know of no reserved viewing area. Stand somewhere you can leave easily, and let the stewards decide where the working space ends and the audience begins.

Questions people ask

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• Earl of Rone Council ↗
• Combe Martin village website ↗
• Earl of Rone Council:homepage and 2026 programme ↗
• Earl of Rone Council:participation and memorialFAQ ↗
• Earl of Rone Council:the custom ↗
• Combe Martin Museum and Information Point ↗
• Watermouth Castle ↗