It lies within the civil parish of Haccombe with Combe, between Newton Abbot and Shaldon, about half a mile (1 km) inland from the estuary of the River Teign.

Despite this closeness to the River Teign, the name Combeinteignhead is not derived from it: in the Domesday Book the district contained thirteen manors which totalled an area of ten hides and the whole area was known as the "Ten Hide".

Coombe Cellars was an early base for the local fishing industry and was also used by smugglers.

[3] The pews have fascinating carved bench ends dating from Elizabethan times.

These include many well known and obscure saints as well as wild men, animals, St George in armour spearing a dog-like dragon, and some depictions that are difficult to identify.