Welcome to the year 2024 – Happy New Year

Happy New Year – Welcome to 2024

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2024 from all at Huxtable Farm.

We look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm’s 3 unique camping pitches, each with their own wash room and 2 en-suite family B&B bedrooms, from April 2024.

To avoid disappointment it may be advisable to book early. In the meantime, we are busy maintaining the farm; looking after the animals and selling logs for winter fuel.

B&B availability

Camping availability

Secluded Huxtable Farm B&B accommodation and camping pitches, with wonderful views,

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor;

Fishing in Pond

If you wish to have a car free day there are so many free things you can do at Huxtable Farm

Enjoy walks from Huxtable Farm, through wooded valleys (Coombes) and enjoy the glorious colours of the tree canopy.

Visit the fabulous Beaches of North Devon , take a scenic walk (Walking in North Devon) or here is a link to some ideas for days out for the family.

Please click on this link (2024 events dates) for some events to look forward to in 2024

Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, near West Buckland, Devon

There are so many beautiful Gardens to visit in North Devon; Castle Hill gardens (RHS partner garden) just 3 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill Gardens, Tapely Park Instow

(RHS partner garden), not forgetting RHS Rosemoor near Torrington, you will be spoilt for choice.

Book your B&B stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

Book your Camping Pitch at Huxtable Farm

Camping pitch 1 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Camping Pitch 3 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Camping Pitch 2 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Huxtable Farm B&B Pond on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

Huxtable Farm Pond on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

‘Barley Barn’ en-suite family B&B bedroom

‘Swallow Barn’ en-suite family B&B bedroom

Breakfast in the Medieval dining room

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Autumn has arrived so here are some Christmas gift ideas

Pumpkins

Autumn has arrived; the day light hours are getting shorter, sunrises & sunsets are stunning and the autumnal leaf colours are beautiful – Nature never ceases to amaze!

With Halloween, pumpkins and bonfire night creeping up on us, there’s a little thought, that perhaps, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas gifts!

Welcome B&B Devon Cream Tea

Antony & I would like to thank all our visitors who came to stay at Huxtable Farm during 2023. It’s always a pleasure to welcome back, many returning visitors and meet new visitors to the farm. The two B&B rooms and the three unique camping pitches, each with their own wash room, are now closed. until the end of March 2024. During the Autumn and winter months, Antony & I, are busy running our woodland business, selling logs locally for log burners and creating bespoke wooden tables & furniture.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm in 2024; In order not to miss out on your favourite camping pitch or B&B bedroom, we are already getting bookings for 2024, so do check out the availability and book your pitch or room soon.

B&B availability Camping availability

If you’ve started to think about Christmas, please do have a look at our unique Christmas gifts made from our Jacob sheep wool, including Jacob wool throws & cushions, knitting kits, hand knitted hats and more – All made with love!

Do send an e-mail to jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing something. Payment can be made by Bacs, Credit or Debit card.

E.g. Such as these adorable, hand knitted elephants with removable clothing, using Huxtable Farm’s Jacob wool. The pattern is in knitting book ‘Au Bout d Pre’

Hand Knitted elephants with removable clothing £19 each

Hand Knitted elephants with removable clothing, hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob wool £19 each

Unique Christmas gifts from Huxtable Farm

Printnineteen Christmas Cards

Our daughter, Natalie, has her own small business, (love supporting local small businesses) called ‘Print Nineteen’.

Natalie produces beautiful, unique botanical cards and prints (including personalised, named foliage prints, such as ‘Rose’ , ‘Hazel’ & ‘Rowen’), inspired from from foliage from around Huxtable Farm. Do have a look at her gorgeous Christmas cards and gift wrap paper or book yourself or a friend on to one of her print workshops.

Here’s a reminder of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor, whilst staying at Huxtable Farm.

If you wish to have a car free day there are so many free things you can do at Huxtable Farm

Enjoy walks from Huxtable Farm, through wooded valleys (Coombes) and enjoy the glorious golden, autumnal colours of the tree canopy.

Visit the fabulous Beaches of North Devon , take a scenic walk (Walking in North Devon) or here is a link to some ideas for days out for the family.

There are so many beautiful Gardens to visit in North Devon; Castle Hill gardens 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill Gardens, Tapely Park Instow, not forgetting RHS Rosemoor near Torrington, you will be spoilt for choice.

In the meantime, we look forward to hearing from you; jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Happy Christmas shopping;

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

Raw Jacob fleeces available to purchase, to spin, weave or felt

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Fungi at Huxtable Farm

September is a time to enjoy natures harvest; tomatoes, figs, apples, blackberries & elderberries. I love making delicious compotes and scrummy homemade jam to sample at the breakfast table and jams for campers to purchase.

Whilst staying at Huxtable Farm during September you are very welcome to pick some apples and blackberries to take home or walk around the farm, looking for the different varieties of fungi we have.

There are still some dates available on the camping pitches but B&B is fully booked during September.

Camping availability

Walking-North-Devon, Exmoor & South West Coast Path

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor during September;- Take a ride on a differnet train; the narrow gauge stream train at Woody Bay Station, on Lynton Lynmouths Cliff Railway powered by water or the West Somerset Railway steam train.

Enjoy autumnal walks from Huxtable Farm, through wooded valleys (Coombes) and breathtaking views from hill tops. A few miles away explore the expanse of Exmoor and cliff top views of the South West Coast Path.

RHS Rosemoor

Dartington Crystal, glassware company, is great to visit any time of year; watch the glass blowers, have a go at painting glass or browse the shop for a special gift for a family or friend.

If you wish to have a car free day there are so many free things you can do at Huxtable Farm B&B

Events taking place in North Devon during September;-

Books by North Devon Authors

Barnstaple Funfair 13th, 14th & 15th September 2023

15th – 24th September 2023: – Appledore Book Festival – A chance to meet your favourite author!

Here at Huxtable Farm we giving all who stay here a free copy of our book ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’, telling you all about the farm, it’s history, Huxtable ancestry and its neighbours!

Antony, Jackie & Bella, the dog, look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm.

Lynton-Lynmouth-Railway

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June & July- Things to do in North Devon

Camping at Huxtable Farm

Now that the summer days are longer and warmer camping at Huxtable Farm is popular, especially if you wish to camp with no other campers next to you and have your own private bathroom.

If you have family members who are not keen on camping, then Huxtable Farm has the luxury of being able to offer them Huxtable Farms B&B accommodation, whilst those who wish to camp under canvas or the stars can still do so.

With the farm (woodland, pasture, pond & stream) to explore, via it’s Devon Wildlife Trail, you have a chance to ‘ Get back to nature’, breath in the countryside and enjoy the space our farm has to offer.

Here’s a link to some suggestions of FREE things you can do on the farm too.

Check B&B availability

Check Camping availability

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Roses in June

June & July are also fantastic times to visit the wonderful gardens in North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor, with it’s Rose festival 17th June – 16Th July (Rosemmor probably has the largest variety of roses, more than 2000, in the UK), Castle Hill Gardens (just 2 miles down the road from Huxtable Farm), Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow and National Trust Arlington Court, 12 miles north west of Huxtable Farm.

Cycling theTarka Trail, North Devon

For the adverturous, there are bike trails, such as the Tarka trail or mountain biking on Exmoor with ‘Exmoor Adventures‘ who also offer paddle boarding, kayaking, rock climbing & archery. Surfing at the reknowned beaches of Croyde, Saunton and Woolacombe, or kite surfing at Westward Ho! Off road adventures at ‘Keypitts’, where you can have a 4X4 Landrover experience, go Quad biking or Axe throwing.

Fruit; Raspberries, Gooseberries and Logenberries

Here on the farm, it’s a busy time, picking fruit, to be used at the breakfast table either served fresh, as a compote or homemade jam to enjoy on freshly baked toasted bread.

It’s also time when the Jacob sheep are shorn and their Jacob fleeces are sorted so that they are suitable for crafters to purchase, such as spinners or felters.

Shearing the Jacob sheep in June

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Happy New Year – 2023. Winter – time to get knitting!

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2023 from all at Huxtable Farm

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm; two en-suite B&B bedrooms (a family bedroom and twin bedroom) and three camping pitches, each with thier own bathroom, from April 2023. To avoid disappiont it may be advisable to book early. In the meantime, we are busy maintaining the farm; looking after the animals and selling logs for winter fuel.

B&B availability

Camping availability

Secluded with wonderful views

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor;

Bench with view on Huxtable Farm Devon Wildlife Walk

If you wish to have a car free day there are so many free things you can do at Huxtable Farm

Enjoy walks from Huxtable Farm, through wooded valleys (Coombes) and enjoy the glorious colours of the tree canopy.

Visit the fabulous Beaches of North Devon , take a scenic walk (Walking in North Devon) or here is a link to some ideas for days out for the family.

Please click on this link (2023 events dates) for some events to look forward to in 2023

Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, near West Buckland, Devon

There are so many beautiful Gardens to visit in North Devon; Castle Hill gardens (RHS partner garden) just 3 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill Gardens, Tapely Park Instow

(RHS partner garden), not forgetting RHS Rosemoor near Torrington, you will be spoilt for choice.

Book your B&B stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

Book your Camping stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

Don’t forget if you are looking at finding a unqiue gift, card or print for some one, please do have a look at what’s available made from our Jacob sheep wool, including these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing, Jacob wool throws & cushions, knitting kits, hand knitted hats etc. All made with love.

Hand Knitted elephants with removable clothing £19 each

Jacob wool hats

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit (grey or dark Brown sorry cream sold out)

Knitting Kit Rib Scarf & Wrist Warmers £13.99 each

Our Knitting Kits make the perfect gift or chance for yourself to get creative, especially during winter time, when the day light hours are reduced. Treat yourself or someone special. All our knitting kits are put together with love; they include 100% natural wool from our flock of Jacob sheep, detailed instructions, knitting needles and any other necessary additional items so that you or your loved ones can achieve fabulous results. £13.95 each including postage & packing.

Alternatively if you have your own project that requires purchasing our unique wool, or are a hand spinner requiring a Jacob fleece please do get in touch. jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Raw Jacob Fleece for spinning

Enquire by e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk and payment details will be sent.

Antony & I, would like to say thank you for your continued support, stay safe & well with best wishes Jackie & Antony. Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SR

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June & July – Gardens to visit, fruit to pick & wool to sort!

During June, the sheep get shorn and we start to pick fruit & make homemade jam.

Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam

Elderflower & Gooseberry jam is first, followed by redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant, loganberry and raspberry jams. Not all the fruit is made into jam, to have on your warm buttered toast or croissant, some is served fresh and/or as a compote to add to yogurt, at breakfast time.

June and July are great months to visit the beautiful gardens of North Devon to see what they do with their fruit or enjoy their summer plants; Castle Hill Gardens are only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow, National Trust Arlington Court 12 miles away and RHS Rosemoor to the south at Torrington with its Festival of Roses 18th June to 17th July

Shearing Jacob

During June, the sheep are shorn and the fleeces are sold to spinners & weavers but I always keep one to spin my own wool too. Please do look at what else is available to purchase made from the wool of our Jacob sheep. In addition to Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, knitted hats and toys, we also have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase too, please do have a look at some of them here – Gifts from Huxtable Farm.

To celebrate Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old we are giving everyone who stays at Huxtable Farm a free copy of our book ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’. Do check availability for when you can stay either in the B&B rooms or camping on one of our three secluded pitches, each with thier own wash room;-

B&B availability

Camping availability

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June- Queen Elizabeth – Platinum Jubilee

Congratulations Queen Elizabeth II – What a fantastic acheivement and we are so lucky to be able to celebrate, a once in a lifetime party, with you.

The first ever British Monach to celebrate 70 years of service, who has travelled more widely than any other Monach, including visiting ‘The Gambia’ in 1961, when Antony’s father (my father in law) was the Doctor in charge of Banjuls Hopsital and showed Queen Elizabeth around.

The Queen in The Gambia with Antony’s Father at Banjul (Bathurst) Hospital.

Now that the summer days are longer and warmer camping at Huxtable Farm is popular as alternative accommodation or in addition to Huxtable Farms B&B accommodation.

With the farm to explore via it’s Devon Wildlife Trail the family have a chance to get back to nature, here’s a link to some ideas of FREE things you can do on the farm

Check B&B availability

Check Camping availability

June & July are also fantastic times to visit the wonderful gardens in North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor, Castle Hill Gardens (just 2 miles down the road from Huxtable Farm), Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow and National Trust Arlington Court, 12 miles north west of Huxtable Farm.

June 6th – July 19th – RHS Garden Rosemoor – Rose Festival

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

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May – Walks in North Devon, Exmoor and South West Coast Path

Sunset walk river Barle Exmoor

The Devon hedgerows are littered with Yellow primrose (Devon’s County flower), pink campions, bluebells, cow parsley & wild garlic at the moment. The bluebells are looking fabulous and the wild garlic has an amazing aroma, as I walk the Devon Wildlife Farm Trail with Bella, our friendly Springer, I really must make some garlic pesto! The blossom; cherry, crabapple & hawthorn is stunning – It’s such a beautiful time of year to dust off the walking boots and discover a new trail on Exmoor or walk part of the South West Coast Path.

Treasure Trail at Huxtable farm B&B, near South Molton

Walking in North Devon during May is very popular – The Macmillan Way West and Tarka Trail, both passing the entrance to Huxtable Farm B&B so we get quite a few staying over night and we always enjoying hearing about everyone’s adventures!

If you enjoy a walk in the countryside, Huxtable Farm’s Devon Wildlife farm trail has a variety beautiful wild flowers and foliage to enjoy in its varied habitats; woodland, pasture, pond, bracken slope and hedges. To make it even more interesting we also have a ‘Treasure Trail’ for you to enjoy!

Walking in North Devon & Exmoor

Check available B&B dates at Huxtable Farm B&B and available Camping Pitches (Only three exclusive pitches each with their own wash room)

B&B availability

Camping availability

Please click HERE to view other video’s taken at Huxtable Farm B&B & Camping.

Tame lamb in bluebells

Lambing has been good and the lambs are growing well in the fields. We have a tame, orphan lamb who enjoy being fed a bottle of milk, going for a walk and having a cuddle.

We’ve just enjoyed this years first crop of rhubarb at breakfast. With so much to do in the garden at this time of year it’s always great to have a break and visit RHS Rosemoor Gardens and see what the experts are doing and get inspiration from the other glorious Gardens of North Devon; Castle Hill Gardens (just down the road from Huxtable Farm) is looking fabulous this month with it’s camellias in flower as is Marwood Hill Garden with it’s beautiful wisteria archway.

Events taking place during May;

RHS Rosemoor Gardens Spring Plant Fair 7-8th May & other events

Point to point horse racing, North Devon

15th & 22nd May & 5th June 2022 – Point to Point at Bratton Down.

Bee Keeping experience days at Quince Honey Farm 18th & 19th May

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 29th May 2022 : Promoting seaweed for its immense health & nutritional benefits and in aid of North Devon Hospice

or just come and enjoy panoramic views at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon

Flower Pots at Huxtable Farm B&B & Camping pitches

Braunton Burrows

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April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

Ewe with lambs smelling the daffodils

Spring – I just love this time of year on the farm – The greenhouse is full of sown seed trays, the garden is full of Spring bulbs with lots of bright, vibrant colours and the trees are starting to produce fresh green leaves and beautiful blossom, all fabulous for bees and other insects.

The ewes have finished lambing and looking after their lambs well. The lambs are a joy to watch gambling in the evening sun.

Broody hen sitting on eggs

A broody hen is sitting on some eggs, which, finger crossed she should hatch Easter weekend, so that we have some Easter chicks. There’s always an Easter egg hunt here at the farm and at so many other locations around North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor 9^th – 24^th April, Hartland Abbey & Gardens 17^th & 18^th April, Clovelly 4^th – 18^Th April.

Now that we are into British summer time the evenings are lighter, we’ve even had our first Barbeque, have you yet?

Castle Hill Filleigh

This is the time of year to visit Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, just 2 miles down the road. Castle Hill Gardens is beautiful in Spring, with its magnolias, camilias, spring bulbs, babbling streams, folly’s and ground carpeted in primroses, Devons County flower.

Bookings for the B&B and camping pitches are coming in as visitors are making sure they get the room and or camping pitch they want, especially for the summer months. I look forward to hearing from you too.

Check available B&B dates at Huxtable Farm B&B and available Camping Pitches (Only three exclusive pitches each with their own wash room)

B&B availability

Camping availability

Wishing you a very happy & healthy Easter from all at Huxtable Farm

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

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February 2022 – Snowdrops, first signs of Spring

snowdrops

The first signs of Spring!- Snowdrops and catkins are out whilst daffodils are peeking through the ground. As we watch nature coming back to life, it’s a wonderful reminder that spring is on the way and, we hope, better and happier times for us all.

As Huxtable Farm is situated within North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Beauty and close to Exmoors Dark Skies Reserve, on clear crisp days we are experiencing some stunning sunrises, sunsets and starry skies, like in the photograph above.

Hazel tee flowers and catkins

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the B&B & camping pitches in April 2022. To help with social distancing etc. the number of B&B bedrooms on offer have been be reduced to two en-suite rooms; one family bedroom and a twin bedded room and each of the three camping pitches have their own private wash rooms.

Camping in tent

Check B&B availability at Huxtable Farm Check Camping availability at Huxtable Farm

National Trust Baggy Point

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to Huxtable Farm in North Devon near Exmoor;

Please click here for some 2022 events dates to look forward to. If you wish to have a car free day there are so many free things you can do at Huxtable Farm . Enjoy walks from Huxtable Farm, through wooded valleys (Coombes), visit the fabulous Beaches of North Devon , a family attraction, or one of the many beatifulful Gardens of North Devon; including Castle Hill gardens (RHS partner garden) only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm or 19 miles to RHS Rosemoor near Torrington.

Elephants with removable outfit, Hand Knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob Wool £19 each

Don’t forget if you are looking at finding a unqiue gift, card or print for some one, please do have a look at what’s available made from our Jacob sheep wool, including these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing, Jacob wool throws, cushions, knitting kits and hand knitted hats – All made with Devon love.

If you’d like to receive ‘Huxtable Farm’s Newletter’, I don’t send many, with the occasional offer please sign up here ‘Huxtable Farm’s Newletter’.

From our family to yours with warm regards Jackie & Antony

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Blog

Welcome to the year 2024 – Happy New Year

Happy New Year – Welcome to 2024

Autumn has arrived so here are some Christmas gift ideas

June & July- Things to do in North Devon

Happy New Year – 2023. Winter – time to get knitting!

June & July – Gardens to visit, fruit to pick & wool to sort!

June- Queen Elizabeth – Platinum Jubilee

May – Walks in North Devon, Exmoor and South West Coast Path

April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

February 2022 – Snowdrops, first signs of Spring

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