Books by North Devon Authors

1st March 2018 – World Book Day

World Book Day – A freezing cold day great for curling up with a good book.

We’re so lucky in North Devon to have a variety of great authors, past & present and books about North Devon

Book all about - Huxtable Farm - The story of a Devon Farm

Book all about – Huxtable Farm – The story of a Devon Farm

From our own book about Huxtable Farm edited by Barbara Payne ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’ to Henry Williamson’s ‘Tarka the Otter’

‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’ can be purchased at £7.50 plus P&P Contact jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Henry Williamson ‘Tarka the Otter’ – Follows an otters joyful water-life and death in the country of the two rivers, Taw and Torridge. The ‘Tarka Trail’ passes the entrance to Huxtable Farm B&B.

R F Delderfield’s ‘To Serve Them All My Days’  – First published in 1972, the book was adapted for television in 1980. Set between WW1 and WW2 the book is follows a young shell- shocked man’s life as a master at a remote Devon School. R. F. Delderfield’s time at West Buckland School served as an inspiration for ‘To serve them all my days’

Johnny Kingdom ‘A Wild Life on Exmoor’ A wildlife photographer specialising in his local area Exmoor & North Devon

R D Blackmore ‘Lorna Doone’ – A romance of Exmoor, based on a group of historical characters and set in the late 17th century in Devon and Somerset, particularly around the East Lyn Valley area of Exmoor

Books by North Devon Authors

Books by North Devon Authors

David Kennard ‘A Shepherd’s Watch’ – David Kennard lives a life most people can only dream about. Farming on a spectacularly beautiful part of the Devon coast he has an almost telepathic bond with nature and with his working sheepdogs.

Norma Huxtable ‘Positively The Last Word on Exmoor’ –  Norma Huxtable a farmer, landlady, writer, wit and all-round exposer of the social scene that makes Exmoor such a unique place to live

Veronica Henry ‘The Long Weekend’ , ‘A Night on the Orient Express’ and many more page turning romance novels. One of my favourite present day novelist.

Charles Kingsley – Westward Ho! (A north Devon seaside town near Bideford, with a large sandy beach & unique pebble ridge) – A novel was based on the adventures of Elizabethan corsair Amyas Preston who sets sail with Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and other privateers to the New World, where they battle with the Spanish.

Save the Date: 21st – 29th September 2018 for Appledore’s Book Festival – When you get a chance to meet some authors.

Which ever book you read today stay safe and warm

 

Snowdrops

February-Snowdrops and things to do this year

Bird box

Bird box

Time to enjoy the beautiful snowdrops of North Devon, littered in the hedgerow at Huxtable Farm B&B , RHS Rosemoor and at Snowdrop Valley (a privately owned remote valley in a hidden part of Exmoor close to Whedden Cross open to the public 27th Jan – 25th Feb)

 

The bird boxes are up around the farm again – Looking forward to house this year’s Spring birds.

 

Stream on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

Stream on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

This February you can also get a taste of Exmoor by sampling the delicious, local food prepared by some great Exmoor restaurants during ‘The Exmoor Food Festival’ – Eat your way across Exmoor during February 2018! Participating restaurants across the region will offer 2 courses for  £10.00 / 3 courses for £15.00 between 1st and 28th February. Great to stop off at during a walk on Exmoor or after having done Huxtable Farm’s Wildlife Trail

Our flock of sheep are due to start lambing at the end of March and during April – Do come and enjoy this time of year with us.

To help you enjoy what’s going on in North Devon in February and March we have some SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES at Huxtable Farm B&B until 13th March 2018.

Owl box on Wildlife farm trail

Owl box on Wildlife farm trail

Otherwise, please have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2018 by looking at Huxtable Farm B&B’s local Events/Farm Calendar 

Including some #Easter #Egg hunts to look forward to at all the attractions in the area;
April – RHS Rosemoor –  Easter Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt & Easter crafts.
Easter fun at National Trust Arlington Court & Cadburys Easter Eggs Hunt.
Quince Honey Farm, The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

 

 

Bo - Bottle fed tame lamb

Bottle fed tame lamb

snowdrops

February – Snow drops, Valentines, Pancake day and things to do

Snowdrop bank at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

Snowdrop bank at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

 

 

Time to enjoy the beautiful snowdrops of North Devon, littered in the hedgerow at Huxtable Farm B&B , RHS Rosemoor and at Snowdrop Valley (a privately owned remote valley in a hidden part of Exmoor close to Whedden Cross open to the public 27th Jan – 25th Feb)

This February you can also get a taste of Exmoor by sampling the delicious, local food prepared by some great Exmoor restaurants during ‘The Exmoor Food Festival’ – Eat your way across Exmoor during February 2018! Participating restaurants across the region will offer 2 courses for  £10.00 / 3 courses for £15.00 between 1st and 28th February

Breath taking sunset at the end a fresh, crisp frosty day at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon, with Valentines approaching!

Breath taking sunset at the end a fresh, crisp frosty day at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon, with Pancake day Valentines approaching!

We hope everyone is keeping warm during these fresh, crisp, frosty days. Here the wood burners are roaring with wood from the farm – great for warming up next to having come in from outside.

Roaring log fires at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon and the first frog spawn of 2017 will soon be appearing in the Devon Wildlife pond!

Roaring log fires at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon and the first frog spawn of 2018 have appeared in the Devon Wildlife pond!

To help you enjoy what’s going on in North Devon in February and March we have some SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES at Huxtable Farm B&B until 13th March 2018.

Otherwise, please have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2018 by looking at Huxtable Farm B&B’s local Events/Farm Calendar

 

Happy New Year - 2018

Happy 2018

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2018 from all at Huxtable Farm B&B xx

Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon Exmoor

Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon Exmoor

Please click on this link (2018 events dates) for some events to look forward to whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B and here for things you can do for free

Such as ;- Witness our ewes lambing during the three weeks 26th March – 14th April. Easter is on the 1st April; to look forward to Easter Egg hunts at all the attractions in the area; Quince Honey Farm, The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

Other dates to remember: 14th February – Valentines Day, 11th March Mother Day, 1st April Easter Day & Bank Holidays 7th & 28th May. 17th June – Fathers Day and Summer Bank Holiday 27th August.

 

Frosty mornings

2018 lambs, frosty mornings & woolly Christmas gifts

Frosty leaves

Frosty leaves

 

Enjoying these fresh, crisp, frosty mornings – Some plants look gorgeous in the frost!

Frosty grass and ewes

Frosty grass and ewes

 

 

 

 

 

The rams are still with the ewes, so with a gestation period of 21 weeks lambing will take place between the 25th March and throughout the 2018 #Easter holidays – Always such a lovely time of year when the lambs are here!

Jacob ram with ewes

Jacob ram with ewes

 

 

 

 

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool products - Christmas gifts

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool products – Christmas and 7th (wool) Anniversary gifts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please remember, if you’re looking for a unique Christmas or 7th (wool) Anniversary gift or just want to wrap up warm this winter please do have a look at Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob Wool products for sale; 100% wool throws, knee rugs, cushions, scarves, knitting kits, hand knitted hats and cowls. We also have 100gm balls of Jacob sheep wool in three different colours, cream, grey & dark brown.

Throws by the fire

Throws by the fire

Pumpkins

Halloween and 2018 lambs!

Pumpkin Face at RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Pumpkin Face at RHS Rosemoor Gardens

 

 

Happy Halloween, enjoy the festive fun of dressing up and having a laugh 🙂

 

 

 

Jacob ram with ewes

Jacob ram with ewes

The rams have now joined the ewes, so with a gestation period of 21 weeks we should have the first lambs around the 25th March and be #lambing during the 2018 #Easter holidays

Ram with ewes

Ram with ewes

 

 

 

 

 

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool products - Christmas gifts

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool products – Christmas and 7th (wool) Anniversary gifts

 

Please remember, if you’re looking for a unique Christmas or 7th (wool) Anniversary gift or just want to wrap up warm this winter please do have a look at Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob Wool products for sale; 100% wool throws, knee rugs, cushions, scarves, knitting kits, hand knitted hats and cowls. We also have 100gm balls of Jacob sheep wool in three different colours, cream, grey & dark brown.

 

 

 

Throws by the fire

Throws by the fire

 

Autumn leaves at North Devon B&B

October – North Devon things to do

So much happening in North Devon this October. . . .

Autumn conkers, North Devon

Autumn conkers, North Devon

‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon’  – Feed the hens and collect their eggs, identify bats at dusk, enjoy the beautiful colours of the leaves in the woodland whilst taking a braising walk around Huxtable Farm’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail, pick apples, collect conkers, see how many different fungi you can find and more . . . .

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

 

A variety of fungi in the woodland at B&B near Barnstaple

A variety of fungi in the woodland at B&B near Barnstaple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Face at RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Pumpkin Face at RHS Rosemoor Gardens

To see what else is happening in North Devon  this October please click on the following links;

RHS Rosemoor in October,  7th & 8th October Apple Festival, 13th -15th October Wood Festival, 21st & 22nd Antiques & Collectors Fair, 28th & 29th Pumpkin Weekend.

Halloween Festival at The Big Sheep 21st – 29th October – Pumpkin carving, haunted house, spooky castle, free face painting and much more!

Star Wars at The Milky Way 28th Oct

National Trust Arlington Court in October: 21st – 29th October Haunted Halloween Trail, 27th Oct Spooky Night Walk, 24th & 27th Oct Halloween Crafts

North Devon Food Festival

North Devon Food Festival

 

North Devon Food Festival 22nd October

19th – 29th October Exmoor’s first Dark Skies Festival, celebrating Exmoor National Park’s status as Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. The Festival will appeal to families and children as well as those more experienced in watching the stars.

Don’t forget there’s so much you can do at Huxtable Farm B&B for FREE too

Elderberries at Huxtable Farm B&B

September- Time to forage and find out about Huxtable Farm’s Jacob wool!

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

September and here at Huxtable Farm B&B, we are busy harvesting natures delicious, natural food from the hedgerows and trees, blackberries, elderberries, sloes, hazelnuts and a wide variety of apples from small crab apples to pippins.  –  You are welcome to pick your own too and do some fungi spotting whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B!

The forbidden fruit – Apples, are well used in Devon to produce delicious apple juice and Devon Cider/Scrumpy! You can sample local apple juice at Huxtable Farms’ breakfast. Two of Devon’s Cider makers are situated within 10 miles of Huxtable Farm; Hancocks Cider, Clapworthy Mill, established over 50 yrs ago uses 35 tons of Devon apples to produce about 5,000 gallons of Cider a year. Ostlers Scrumpy Cider is based at Goodleigh near Barnstaple.

Autumn leaves at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

Autumn leaves at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

There is still so much to do in North Devon during September, from enjoying autumnal walks from Huxtable Farm, through woods amongst the glorious golden colours of the tree canopy, to tasting delicious west country food at food festivals, book and craft fairs, or enjoying all the fun & excitement of Barnstaple and South Molton Carnivals & Fun Fairs.

North Devon Food Festivals

North Devon Food Festivals

Click here to see what ‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm’ or on the links below for; Events and things to do in North Devon during September:-

 

Visit National Trust Arlington Court with Britain’s largest collection of horse drawn carriages

RHS Rosemoor Gardens – 17th September Autumn Food Fair.  23-24th September Autumn Plant Fair. 29th September – 1st October Real Ale, Wine & Cider Weekend.

South Molton Carnival 23rd September

 

Art Trek North Devon 2018

Art Trek North Devon 2018

Art Trek at Huxtable Farm

Art Trek at Huxtable Farm

Art Trek tea & cakes

Art Trek tea & cakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Trek 2017 – North Devon Open Studios 15th September – 1st October.

Huxtable Farm’s Jacob wool shop will be open to the public on the 16th, 17th, 19th, 26th & 30th September & 1st October 11am – 4pm.

October dates for your diary; –

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival 19th -29th October

North Devon Food Fest 22nd October

Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, situated half way between Barnstaple & South Molton, near Exmoor National Park, Devon

Butterfly tortoiseshell in garden

August/September

We’ve seen quite a few different butterflies this year enjoying the insect loving plants at Huxtable Farm, all majestic but this is one of my favourites, the small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

Saw quite a few butterflies at this years RHS Rosemoor Flower Show. Here are some photographs of the show for you to enjoy, the date for next years Flower Show will be the 17th, 18th & 19th August 2018

Other events & things to do during August and September in North Devon  ; –

RHS Rosemoor Gardens –  Enid Blyton Exhibition of Memorabilia exhibition 15th July – 28th August. Famous Five fun at Rosemoor (childrens activities) 29 July – 3 September Mon – Friday

Tapeley Park Gardens, Instow, Devon

Tapeley Park Gardens, Instow, Devon

Gardens to visit in North Devon

National Trust Arlington Court – Family ranger days, drop-in family crafts & garden days – PDF of events

Things to do for free at Huxtable Farm B&B

Barricane beach Woolacombe

Barricane beach Woolacombe

 

 

Beaches to visit in North Devon

Arts and Crafts in North Devon

Family Fun in North Devon

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool cable wrist warmers & scarf Knitting Kit

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool cable wrist warmers & scarf Knitting Kit

 

September – I have entered this year’s Art Trek 2017 – North Devon Open Studios, so that you and others can view Huxtable Farm’s Jacob wool products. We will be open on the 16th, 17th, 19th, 26th & 30th September & 1st October 11am – 4pm.

 

Blackberries

Blackberries

 

With September approaching, foraging and harvesting fruit from the wild will begin; The elderberries are ripening and we’ve already pick a few blackberries – You are welcome to pick your own too and do some fungi spotting whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B!