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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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Autumn; Thinking about unique Christmas gifts already?

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

Autumn has officially arrived; the day light hours are getting shorter, the sunsets are stunning and the leaves are changing colour – It’s time to put on the boots and get ouside for some wonderful walks and enjoy natures beautiful autumn colours.

On the days that are too cold & wet, it’s great to snuggle up next to the crackling log fire with a good book or pick up the knitting needles to create a unique gift for yourself or someone; 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, hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob wool £19 each

Unique Christmas gifts from Huxtable Farm

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throws and cushions

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit

Printnineteen Christmas Cards

Our daughter, Natalie, has her own small business, (love supporting small businesses) called ‘Print Nineteen’, Natalie produces some beautiful unique cards and prints (including personalised), many produced from foliage from around the farm. Do have a look at her beautiful new Christmas cards and gift wrap paper.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm‘s; two 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 and selling logs for winter fuel.

B&B availability

Camping availability

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

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.

In the meantime, happy christmas shopping and I look forward to hearing from you; jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

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

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

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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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

March – Lambing and Mothers Day

lamb chilling on starw bales

Love this time of year, the days are getting longer, brighter and drier with some refreshing, frosty mornings. Nature is waking up the daffodils, crocuses and primroses bringing some much needed colour to the farm. Some bees are venturing out for a little food and the frogs and toads are spawning in the pond. It’s also a time of sleep deprivation & great anticipation, as we get up at various times during the night to check on the sheep to see if they require any lambing assistance.

With Mother’s Day (27th March) approaching we get the chance to express our love to all Mothers i.e those who have strong bonds with children whether they are their own blood siblings or not.

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

Here are some idea’s to help you spoil your special Mum; Buy a unique gift from Huxtable Farm’s Shop; 100% Jacob wool throws, cushions, scarves, yarn and knitting kits or some notelets or a print painted by Jackie.

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

Give your mother a Voucher to stay at Huxtable Farm B&B at sometime later this year, where she will be welcomed with a Devon cream tea then in the morning enjoy a delicious freshly cooked breakfast next to the crackling log fire in the medieval dining room – Telephone 01598 760254 or e-mail for more details.

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

Print Nineteen Card

Don’t for get that all important Mother’s Day card too. Our daughter, Natalie has that unique, individual, botanical card you may wish to send from Printnineteen. Quite a few bits of foliage used by Natalie in her prints has been sourced from Huxtable Farm.

We look forward to welcoming you to enjoy the lambs this April and seeing you for the rest of the year.

Please have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2022 by looking at Huxtable Farm B&B’s local Events/Farm Calendar so that you can plan your next stay to coincide with an event that interests you.

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

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Bottle feeding Jacob lamb, who's mother doesn'y have enough milk for two lambs

Bottle feeding Jacob lamb, who’s mother doesn’t have enough milk for two lambs

Lamb enjoying a piggy back

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

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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Winter – Christmas gifts from Huxtable Farm

If you’ve started to think about Christmas please do have a look at our unique Christmas gifts made from our Jacob sheeps’ wool, including these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing, Jacob wool throws & cushions, knitting kits, hand knitted hats etc. All made with love.

Unique Christmas gifts from Huxtable Farm

Hand Knitted elephants (approx 20cm tall) with removable clothing £19 each

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throws and cushions, only a few dark throws & cushions available now.

Printnineteen Christmas Cards

Thinking of supporting small businesses, our daughter, Natalie’s business, ‘Print Nineteen’, has some beautiful unique cards and prints (including personalised), many produced from foliage from around the farm. Do have a look at her beautiful new Christmas cards and gift wrap paper.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm‘s; two B&B bedrooms (a family bedroom and twin bedroom) and three camping pitches, each with thier own bathroom, from April 2022. To avoid disappiont it may be advisable to book early. In the meantime, we are busy maintaining the farm ; hedge laying, fencing and selling logs for winter fuel.

B&B availability

Camping availability

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

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.

Devon Cream Tea welcome on arrival for B&B guests

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Autumn – Thinking about unique Christmas gifts?

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Autumn is officially here, the leaves are falling off the trees and the sunsets are spectacular – We hope you and those close to you are well.

Since opening in July it has a been a busy year meeting some wonderful visitors. As many of you already know, we have reduced the number of available B&B rooms to help with social distancing and welcome campers with their own tents, on one of three pitches each with their own bathroom.

We’re already taking B&B and Camping bookings for 2022 and have extended our offer of a free copy of our book ‘Huxtable the Story of a Devon Farm’ to all bookings for next year, to celebrate Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old! Next year could be another busy one so you may wish to provisionally book ahead.

B&B availability Camping availability

In the meantime, we are busy picking natures wonderful harvest elderberries, apples, blackberries, figs, etc. to make delicious compotes and jams to serve at the breakfast table.

Huxtable Farm Apple Juice

New for 2022 – We will have our own delicious apple juice available to purchase and enjoy at breakfast time because this autumn we have had our apples pressed to make delicious apple juice.

Don’t forget if you are starting to think about unique Christmas gifts please do have a look at the lovely items made from the fleeces of our Jacob sheep and prints and cards of watercolour paintings by Jackie. All are available to purchase and can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats, unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, and these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing.

Please e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or telephone Jackie 01598 760254 with your order.

Hand Knitted elephants (approx 20cm tall) with removable clothing £19 each

Huxtable Farm Jacob sheep

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

Jacob sheep card £4.50 each

Stripy hand knitted Jacob wool hats with or without pompoms £25

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit £13.50

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Autumn – Harvest time – starting to think about Christmas gifts

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Autumn is officially here and what a strange year it has been; We hope you and those close to you are well.

As many of you already know the B&B has been closed this year but we have welcomed a few campers with their own tents during August.

Providng it’s safe to do so, we are looking forward to welcoming you back to the B&B April 2021 although to help with social distancing etc. the number of B&B bedrooms on offer will be reduced to three en-suite rooms; one family bedroom, a twin bedroom and a double bedded room.

In the meantime, we are busy picking natures wonderful harvest elderberries, apples, blackberries, figs etc. to make delicious compotes and jams to serve at the breakfast table.

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

Book your Camping stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

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

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.

Don’t forget if you are starting to think about unique Christmas gifts do have a look at what’s available made from our Jacob sheep wool, including these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing, Jacob sheepskin rugs, Jacob wool throws & cushions, knitting kits, hand knitted hats etc. All made with love.

Hand Knitted elephants (approx 20cm tall) with removable clothing £19 each

Jacob sheepskin rug £95 each

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throws and cushions, only a few dark throws & cushions available now.

Print Nineteen Cards

Thinking of supporting small businesses, our daughter, Natalie’s new business, ‘Print Nineteen’, has some beautiful unique cards and prints (including personalised), many produced from foliage from around the farm.

Whilst our son, Nigel, has produced some beautiful bird prints available to purchase – Nige Design #supportsmallbusinesses

We look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon with a delicious Cream Tea in the afternoon.

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

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August – Jacob sheep knitting wool & Camping

Hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob Wool

Love this elephant family hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob wool using the pattern from ‘Knitting by Au Bout du Pré by Cécile Carter’. Wool, knitting book and knitted elephants available to purchase from Huxtable Farm – Contact jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Huxtable Farm Jacob sheep

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

Lots more lovely items made from the fleeces of our Jacob sheep are also available to purchase and can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes.

Jacob sheep card £4.50 each

Stripy hand knitted Jacob wool hats with or without pompoms £25

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit £13.50

We’re already taking B&B bookings for 2021 and have extended our offer of a free copy of the book ‘Huxtable the Story of a Devon Farm’ to all bookings for next year, celebrating Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old! Next year could be busy so you may wish to provisionally book ahead.

Check Availability

Camping in a tent

The Camping at Huxtable Farm is popular this August, especially as each pitch has it’s own wash room. We only have a few spaces available for the end of August & beginning of September 2020.

Until we see you again, take care, stay safe & healthy, with warm wiahes Jackie, Antony & Bella, the dog 🙂

Campsite

Huxtable Farm, West Buckland, suituated between Barnstaple and Exmoor in North Devon

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July – New additions to Huxtable Farm

Peahens

Hurray, we’re now connected to Fibre Broadband 🙂 having had the connection delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown. What a difference it makes not having to watch the circle whirling around.

Other additions to the farm include another broody hen hatching another seven chicks and we have just purchased a peacock, Pedro and a two peahens. Pedro is quite stunning with his tail feathers on display (see photo at bottom of post)

Chick July 2020

There’s still a lot happening here; Antony continues to chop and split the trees he felled the winter before, last ready to sell as seasoned logs when the weather changes and I’m busy picking goosebrries, redcurrants, blackcurrants & raspberries in the fruit garden, followed by lots of sorting, freezing and jam making. The fruit all seems to ripen at once, thank goodness I have a little helper!

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

I’m also spending time updating the website adding some of the lovely items available to purchase, which can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes.

I’ve also had my paints out again and have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase. Cards £2.50 each (including envelope & wrap) or 5 for £10 and mounted A4 prints £25 each. (Jacob sheep, wool card £4.50 each)