Chittlehampton, Umberleigh, North Devon, EX37 9RZ
The Cobbaton Combat Collection is one of those you attractions that exists entirely because of one person’s extraordinary passion, and it is all the better for it. Located in the North Devon countryside near Chittlehampton, this privately owned military museum houses one of the largest private collections of WWII armoured vehicles, weapons, equipment and memorabilia in the UK, and the sheer scale of what has been assembled here is consistently impressive.
The collection covers the full span of WWII, with a particular strength in British and Allied armoured vehicles, artillery, and field equipment. There are also significant Cold War and post-war items, and the personal equipment displays, uniforms, kit, documents, photographs, give the collection a human dimension that balances the hardware.
What makes the Cobbaton an engaging visit is the sense of personal enthusiasm that pervades it: this is not a corporate heritage operation but a deeply felt private collection opened generously to the public. The guides and owners know the stories behind the objects and are happy to share them.
The Cobbaton is about 17 miles from Woolacombe, reached via Barnstaple on winding country lanes. Open April to October, Tuesday to Sunday. Particularly recommended for anyone with an interest in WWII history, military vehicles or simply the remarkable story of how one collector can accumulate a small army’s worth of equipment in rural Devon.
The collection includes personal diaries, letters and documents alongside the hardware, giving it an emotional depth that purely mechanical museums sometimes lack. The owner and staff are extraordinarily knowledgeable about the provenance and history of individual items, and a guided tour reveals stories behind objects that would otherwise pass without comment. For families with older children or teenagers with an interest in history, the Cobbaton is one of the most genuinely engaging specialist museums in the South West. Worth combining with a visit to South Molton for lunch on the return journey.
