Hunting of the Earl of Rone

Name: Hunting of the Earl of Rone
Start: 2025-05-22
End: 2025-05-25
Location: Combe Martin

Capture, Chaos, and Community in Devon’s Most Eccentric Festival

2026/05/21 - 2026/05/24

Every late May, the quiet seaside village of Combe Martin in Devon bursts into four days of color and excitement for the Hunting of the Earl of Rone. Villagers and visitors alike dress as Grenadiers, a Hobby Horse, a Fool, and the mysterious Earl himself, parading through woods, streets, and pubs in a lively procession and chase. If you want to experience living British history, quirky tradition, and the thrill of a centuries-old ritual, this is a festival you’ll want to join—even if it means getting muddy.

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone takes place every year during the UK Spring Bank Holiday (the last weekend in May) in Combe Martin, Devon. Locals, folk enthusiasts, families, and curious travelers gather to enjoy one of Britain’s most unique and theatrical village festivals.

Main Attractions

The Parade and Capture Drama

The centerpiece of the festival is the village-wide parade. Red-and-white Grenadiers, the snapping Hobby Horse, the Fool with a wet broom, and the Earl of Rone—dressed in sacking, a mask, and a necklace of biscuits—make their way through the village. On the final Monday, the Grenadiers “hunt” the Earl in the woods, bring him back to the village riding backwards on a donkey, and, to the cheers of the crowd, the Earl is “executed” again and again before being symbolically banished at the seaside.

Key Events

Each day brings something different: Friday’s drum parade, Saturday’s children’s parade (ending with a giant strawberry cake), Sunday’s full-dress pageant, and Monday’s climactic hunt and seaside finale. The sounds of musket fire, bells, and laughter fill the air, while the wooden jaws of the Hobby Horse, the Fool’s splashing broom, the sea breeze, and the taste of pub food are all part of the experience.

Costumes and Decorations

The Grenadiers wear red coats, white trousers, and tall hats. The Earl is dressed in sacking stuffed with straw, a mask, and a necklace of biscuits. The Hobby Horse is painted and fitted with a “mapper” (a snapping wooden mouth), and the Fool wears colorful clothes and wields a wet broom. The village is decorated with bunting, and the pubs are filled with music and laughter.

Traditional Food and Drink

The festival features West Country classics: pasties, sausage rolls, scones with clotted cream, real ale, and cider. The aroma of fresh baking, the sea breeze, and the warmth of a pub fire are all part of the festival’s charm. On Saturday, a giant strawberry cake is served at the end of the children’s parade.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone dates back to the 17th century, said to commemorate the pursuit of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, who fled Ireland in 1607. The festival is also linked to older seasonal rituals and “wild man” legends. It was banned in 1837 for excessive rowdiness but revived in 1970, and today it stands as a symbol of village pride, identity, and the enduring power of tradition.

Participant Voices

"Born and raised in Combe Martin, nothing is as exciting as Hunt weekend. Marching as a Grenadier, dodging the Hobby Horse, and seeing the whole village come together—this is the highlight of my year." — Dave (local resident)

"We came as a family from Bristol. The kids were obsessed with the Fool and the Hobby Horse, and before we knew it, we were in the parade! The costumes, the laughter, the energy—there’s nothing else like it." — Rachel (visitor)

"Playing the Earl is an honor. Wearing the mask and sacking, hearing the cheers every time I fall off the donkey—it’s exhausting but unforgettable. My grandfather was the Earl too, so it’s a family tradition." — Tom (Earl of Rone actor)

Fun Facts

The Earl of Rone is always paraded backwards on a donkey, wearing a mask and a necklace of biscuits.
There are parades every day, and the children’s parade ends with a giant strawberry cake.