Happy New Year Fireworks

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 with wonderful views

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;

Fish for frogs in the pond

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

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

Huxtable Farm Camping north Devon

Camping pitch 1 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Camping Pitch 3 at Huxtable Farm

Camping Pitch 3 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Camping Pitch 2 at Huxtable Farm

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

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

'Swallow Barn' en-suite family B&B bedroom

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

Breakfast in the Medieval dining room

Breakfast in the Medieval dining room

 

Merry Christmas from all at Huxtable Farm

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas from all at Huxtable Farm

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas

Here at Huxtable Farm, we would like to thank our customers and followers for your support during the past year and wish you & your family a very Happy Christmas from us, Jackie, Antony & our family. May all your wishes come true XXX

With a reduced number of B&B rooms (2 en-suite family bedrooms) and a select few, secluded camping pitches (3 pitches, each with their own wash room), we’d like to remind you to book early so that you don’t miss out on the dates you require.

If you are looking at our website for the first time, we’d love to welcome you to this special, secluded, off the beaten track, north Devon farm, we are lucky enough to call home. Explore the farm via Devon Wildlife Farm trail and meet the poulty and sheep at feeding time, with Jackie or Antony.

Check B&B Availability

Check Camping Availability

Huxtable Farm Camping north Devon

Camping pitch 1 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Camping Pitch 3 at Huxtable Farm

Camping Pitch 3 at Huxtable Farm, North Devon

Camping Pitch 2 at Huxtable Farm

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

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

'Swallow Barn' en-suite family B&B bedroom

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

Breakfast in the Medieval dining room

Breakfast in the Medieval dining room

 

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

Autumn has arrived so here are some Christmas gift ideas

Pumpkins

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 Devon Cream Tea

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

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

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

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

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

Harvesting Blackberries

Fungi at Huxtable Farm

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

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

RHS Rosemoor

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.

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

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

Lynton-Lynmouth-Railway

Walk the Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

August School Holidays – Fun with the children

It’s August so the summer holidays have arrived and it’s time to have some family fun in North Devon, whilst staying at Huxtable Farm, either in the ensuite family B&B bedrooms or camping on the three exclusive camping pitches, each with their own private bathroom.

B&B availability   Camping availability

Pedro Peacock

Pedro Peacock

Meet Pedro, the peacock, hens, chicks, guinea fowl and Jacob sheep.

Explore the farm via it’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail or Treasure Trail and get back to nature; fish for newts and see what other wildlife you can find in the pond.

Count how many teapots are hanging in the teapot tree and find the fairies.

Fairies

See how many fairies you can find in the quiet corner of the farm next to the stream

Build a den in the woodland

Build a den in the woodland

Jacob sheep and Sunset

or just watch the sunset

Here’s some other suggestions of ‘Free things to do on the farm’

With so many beautiful places to visit in North Devon there’s so much to see and do:

Spot majestic Exmoor ponies on Exmoor

Spot majestic Exmoor ponies on Exmoor

Cycle the Tarka Trail

Cycle the Tarka Trail

Go surfing at the beach

Go surfing at the beach

Go swimming in Westward Ho! sea pool

Go swimming in Westward Ho! sea pool

Visit the many Gardens of North Devon including RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Visit the many Gardens of North Devon including RHS Rosemoor Gardens

 

 

Walk parts of the South West Coast Path e.g Morthoe Point, North Devon

Walk parts of the South West Coast Path e.g Morthoe Point, North Devon

Click here for a link to family attractions to visit in North Devon

Events during August

2nd August 2023 – North Devon Show, Barnstaple

18, 19 & 20th August 2023 RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

We also recommend that you book places to eat at in the evening prior to your arrival in August, please view “Local eating places in North Devon”

 

RHS Rosemoor June Roses

June & July- Things to do in North Devon

Camping pitch

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

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

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

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

Shearing the Jacob sheep in June

 

Bluebells

May – Three Bank Holidays – King Charles lll & Queen Camilla’s Coronation

British Flag

British Flag

Three Bank Holidays in May, perfect for booking a short break away.

Here’s to the Coronation of Their Majesties – King Charles lll and Queen Camilla, on the 6th May at Westminster. 

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

May is a fabulous month for walking in North Devon – The Macmillan Way West and Tarka Trail, both pass the entrance to Huxtable Farm,so we get quite a few staying over night and we always enjoying hearing about everyone’s adventures! Then there’s the South West Coast Path; with the stunning sandy beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton & Westward Ho! and Croyde beach, one of the best surfing beaches in the UK. The two point either end of Woolacombe beach, Baggy Point and Morte Point are both stunning to walk, with views out to Lundy Island.

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

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

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;

Devon County Show 18th, 19th & 20th May. If you love animals, tractors, food, music, dog shows, funfairs, crafts, gardens, shopping and anything associated with country life in Devon, then you will have a great day at the Devon County Show.

RHS Rosemoor Gardens Workshops, events and shows

Point-to-point racing in North Devon (Bratton Down & Umberleigh)

Point-to-point racing in North Devon (Bratton Down & Umberleigh)

If you enjoy horse racing there are some fun days to be had on the 14th & 21st May & 4th June 2023 – Point to Point at Bratton Down.

Bee Keeping experience days at Quince Honey Farm – 11th, 13th, 22nd & 24th May 2023

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 28th May 2023 : 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

April Easter chicks

April – Easter egg hunts & lambing

Bottle feeding orphan tame lambs at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

Bottle feeding orphan tame lambs

April has got to be one of my favourite months; not only is my birthday (on Earth Day 22nd April – Let’s do our bit to help save planet Earth), but the days are warming up and getting longer and nature is doing its magic, as colourful spring bulbs, blossom and animals start to bring some colour & new life into the world. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place and we love sharing it with you.

It’s great to get outside, enjoy spring walks through the woodland as the young, fresh leaves unfold. It’s total escapism in the woodland, where we can rekindle our connection with nature, known as #forestbathing, good for the mind, body & soul.

Our Jacob ewes are due to lamb in April so you may be lucky enough to witness the birth of a lamb or at least enjoy watching lambs gambling in the fileds in the evening, as the sun sets.

With Easter on the 9th April, we have some hens eggs in the incubator, hoping that chicks will hatch Easter weekend.

Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs

On Easter day there’s always an Easter egg hunt here at the farm and there are lots of Easter activities at many North Devon attractions too; RHS Rosemoor Gardens Giant Easter Egg Hunt 1st – 16th April.  Coombe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park 27th March – 16th April Find 10 eggs around the park and collect a prize.  Hartland Abbey & Gardens Easter fun & Bluebells 9th & 10th April.  Find the chicks in Clovelly 7th – 10th April.  Unique Easter Grotto at adventure park ‘The Milkyway’ 1st – 14th April. Quince Honey Farm 7th – 10th April -Find the nests, solve a riddle to find your prize.

Castle Hill Gardens, just 2 miles form Huxtable Farm is the perfect garden to visit in Spring, with its magnolias, camilias, spring bulbs, babbling streams, folly’s and beautiful areas carpeted areas of primroses. On Bank Holiday Monday 10th April is the Easter Bunny Hunt with lots of family fun too; A magician, face painters & bouncy castle.

Camping pitch

Camping at Huxtable Farm

Bookings for the B&B and the three unique camping pitches are coming in as visitors are making sure they get the room and or camping pitch they want. We 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

leveret - hare

March – Hares, World Book Day, Mothers Day & British Summer Time

Spring flowers; primroses & daffodils

Spring flowers; primroses & daffodils

Love this time of year; The days are getting longer & nature is waking up – The daffodils, crocuses and primroses bring back some much needed colour to the garden & farm. Bees are starting to venture out for some food from the first blossom & flowers, whilst frogs and toads make their way to spawn in the pond.

It’s a great time of year to spot the odd March Hare on the farm too, grazing on the short grass or a couple of hares boxing (usually a female hare fending off an amorous male). Known as the fastest mammal in the UK, the Brown Hare is capable of reaching speeds up to 45-50mph (72kph), making them able to outrun a predator. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to hand rear a leveret and when it was almost fully grown released it in our woodland, so when ever I see a hare in March I often wonder if it’s the same one, I was so lucky to have reared.

Books by North Devon Authors

Books by North Devon Authors

World Book Day 2nd March 2023 celebrating the joy of reading books. A registered charity, designated by UNESCO, on a mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, thanks to the generosity of National Book tokens, publishers & booksellers.

To celebrate Huxtable Farm Medieval Farmhouse being 500 years old, we are giving every booking on arrival, a copy of our book  ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm ‘

Who’s your favoutite author? My favourite North Devon author, for a total escapism read is Veronica Henry, I love many of her books but ‘Wild Oats’ and ‘The Long Weekend’ are my favourites. Some other well known authors local to North Devon include; Henry Williamson who wrote ‘Tarka the Otter’ (The Tarka Trail passes Huxtable Farm’s entrance). Michael Morpurgo author of ‘The War Horse’ and many children’s books. R F Delderfield who wrote ‘To Serve Them All My Days’ and attended West Buckland Public School, situated opposite Huxtable Farm’s entrance. R D Blackmore who wrote the Exmoor romance story of ‘Lorna Doone’.  David Kennard  of Borough Farm who has written ‘A Shephard’s Watch’ and the TV series ‘Mist, sheep dog tails’.

Another date to put in the diary is Mother’s Day (19th March) when we get the chance to express our love to all Mothers. 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 and knitting kits or some notelets or a print painted by me, Jackie.

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

Give your mother a Voucher to stay at Huxtable Farm at sometime later in the 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 dates at Huxtable Farm B&B and available Camping Pitches (Only two ensuite B&B bedrooms & three exclusive camping pitches, each with their own wash room)

Print Nineteen Card

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. Oh and Natalie also does print workshops too!

On the 26th March British Summer Time beginnings, when we all turn our watches & clocks forward  i.e loosing an hours sleep on Saturday night 25th March! Britsh summer time was introduced to make the most of daylight hours and conserve energy, first established in 1916. Thinking of Summer, nows a good time to book to ensure you get the room/s (only two en-suite rooms available) or camping pitch (only three exclusive pitchs, each with thier own washroom) you’d like to stay in or on. Check availability here;-

B&B availability

Camping availability

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 2023 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.

Snowdrops

Feburary 2023 – Snowdrops and free holiday ideas!

Hazel tree flowers and catkins, also known as 'lambs tails', resembling the tails of lambs born in Spring time

Hazel tree flowers and catkins, also known as ‘lambs tails’, resembling the tails of lambs born in Spring time

I’m always amazed at how nature bounces back from all that is thrown at it, like the freezing, snowy conditions we experiened during December & January; Snowdrops are always the first signs that Spring is on it’s way, bringing a little joy to those who see them.

Thoughts of summer and holidays away, help us get through the darker, winter days and with the worry of rising costs, we have been thinking of ideas to share with you of things you can do for free, whilst staying at Huxtable Farm, situated within North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Beauty and close to Exmoors Dark Skies Reserve.

National Trust Baggy Point

National Trust Baggy Point , walk on the South West Coastpath

A). If you wish to have a car free day click on this link for some idaes of  free things you can do at Huxtable Farm 

B). Enjoy walks from Huxtable Farm (situated on the Tarka Trail and Macmillian Way West), on Exmoor, around the Southwest coast path or UNESCO North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve

C). Bring you buckets, spades, Kite, body/surf boards, a picnic and visit the fabulous Beaches of North Devon.

D). Bring your bikes (secure lock up at Huxtable Farm available) and cycle the flat, car free Tarka Trail

E). Visit the many museums of North Devon;

  1. Ilfracombe Museum . – Amazing collections from around the world.
  2. Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station
  3. Barnstaple & North Devon Museum – Local history.
  4. South Molton Museum – Local history.

F) Visit Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station

G) Go geocaching.

H) Go crabing off Ilfracombe harbour or amongst the rock pools on many beaches.

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the B&B & camping pitches in April 2023.

Check B&B availability at Huxtable Farm

Check Camping availability at Huxtable Farm

Don’t forget if you are looking at finding a unqiue Jacob wool gift, card or print for some one, please do have a look at what’s available, made with Devon love!

From our family to yours with warm regards Jackie & Antony