April – Spring has arrived

April flowers

We hope that you all had a good Easter and that this update finds you keeping well during these strange times. We’ve had our Covid injections and hope that when places start to open up everyone is responsible so that everything remains safe for all. In order to help keep all safe at Huxtable Farm please read our Covid update, which will be amended as things change.

We’ve been making some changes here at Huxtable Farm, including converting the games room into a washing up area with fridge freezer, table & chairs for the three exclusive camping pitches, each of which has their own private wash room. Whilst one of the bedrooms in a converted barn is in the process of becoming the games room/information room/shop with Jacob wool products, prints of paintings by Jackie and wood furniture made by Antony.

Tame lamb 2021

I just love this time of year – The gardens are full of Spring colour and blossom, whilst the trees are starting to produce new fresh green leaves. The ewes have finished lambing and looking after their lambs well, whilst I have one tame orphan lamb to look after on the bottle. He’s a Jacob cross Romney lamb, so black with white markings on his eyebrows and chest and needs a name. We’d love to hear your suggestions!

Looking forward to seeing you later in the year.

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

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March – Mothers Day and Lambing

Orphan tame lamb, Woolly is expecting lambs herself this year

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 (14h 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 bit of the foliage used by Natalie in her prints has been sourced from Huxtable Farm.

We’re going to miss you this lambing season and Easter but we look forward to welcoming you later in the year.

Please have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2021 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

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February 2021 – Pancake Day

snowdrops

Despite the rain and snow the snowdrop are out and our daffodils are already peeking through. 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. Meanwhile we are keeping busy in the garden, looking after the sheep & poultry and doing lots of farm/woodland maintenance; hedging fencing & chopping logs for the wood burners.

Pancakes for breakfast

Pancake Day/Shove Tuesday, is on the 16th February 2021 the day before the fasting period of Lent leading up to Easter, 4th April 2021. What do you like to eat with your pancakes? I like mine with fresh fruit, local honey from Quince Honey Farm and a little bit of Devon clotted cream.

Providng it’s safe to do so, we are looking forward to welcoming you back to the B&B & three camping pitches June 2021. 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 and each camping pitch with have their own private wash room.

Camping in tent

Check B&B Availability

Check Camping Availability at Huxtable Farm B&B

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 2021 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 sheepskin rugs, Jacob wool throws & cushions, knitting kits, hand knitted hats etc. All made with love.

Availability

Jacob Sheepskin Rug 99x70cms £105

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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Happy New Year – Welcome to 2021

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2021 from all at Huxtable Farm

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Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Photos

We entered 2021 with the positive news of the start of a second vaccine rollout, however, with infection rates remaining high England is now back in lockdown. Antony & I hope you are keeping safe & well.

Providng it’s safe to do so, we are looking forward to welcoming you back to the B&B & three camping pitches May 2021. 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 and each camping pitch with have their own private wash room.

In the meantime, we are busy maintaining the farm; hedge laying and fencing.

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

Book your Camping stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

Bench with view on Huxtable Farm Devon Wildlife Walk

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

Please click on this link (2021 events dates) for some events to look forward to in 2021

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

Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, only 3 miles from Huxtable Farm, Devon

There are so many beautiful Gardens to visit in North Devon; Castle Hill gardens (RHS partner garden)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.

Hand Knitted elephants with removable clothing £19 each

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

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

Finally, we 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

Our Springer looks forward to showing you around the farm 🙂

A taster of Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, near Barnstaple/Exmoor/SouthMolton, North Devon

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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.

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.

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)

Card of West Buckland School

Springer Spaniel – Print of acrylic painting by Jackie

Jacob sheep card

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

Peacock Pedro

Chicks July 2020

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June – Logging, Jacob sheepskin rugs & paintings

Dragging part of a fallen tree trunk

Antony & I have been using our time to clear fallen tress around the farm, to be used for this winters firewood, as they are already well seasoned.

Fallen Tree

Although we are not open for 2020 we do have some 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 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, mounted A4 prints £25.

Water colour painting of Devon house

Wild Flower Meadow Water Colour Print

Card of West Buckland School

Springer Spaniel – Print of acrylic painting by Jackie

We are sorry not to be able to accommodate you this year as there are so many beautiful gardens to visit in North Devon at their bestright now; Castle Hill only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, RHS Rosemoor, Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow and National Trust Arlington Court 12 miles away.

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Roses in June

Next year could be a busy year so you may wish to provisionally book ahead

Check Availability

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Covid-19 Update

Antony & I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe during this Covid-19 pandemic.

After much discussion, deliberation, studying government & tourism authority guidelines on how to open our farm B&B accommodation, we have come to the difficult decision to remain closed until June 2021. This difficult decision was not made lightly; Paramount is the health and well-being of everyone who stays at Huxtable Farm, we also feel that we will not be able to offer you our usual hospitality/experience under these guidelines.

Rebook for a future date; We very much look forward to the day when we can welcome you to Huxtable Farm B&B again. With this in mind, if you already have a booking with us and I have not contacted you already please do contact me jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or by telephone 01598 760254

Right now, it’s essential that we all continue to follow government advice, stay at home and support our dedicated front line service personnel. We would like to thank them all for the incredible work they are doing keeping this country going. We would also like to thank you for your patience, understanding and support during this extraordinary time.

Antony & I miss all of you and look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm in 2021, in the meantime please take care, keep safe & well.

Availability

CORONAVIRUS Action Plan for 2021 at Huxtable Farm

What we are doing to prevent the spread of Covid-19; We have reduced the number of B&B guests staying at Huxtable Farm, to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19. There may be some visitors camping in the fields who will have sole use of the games room & sauna room, so these facilities will not be available to B&B guests during this time.

Existing 2021 Bookings

All existing bookings from May 2021 onwards stand. We will contact you via email with arrival details nearer your arrival date.
Should the regulations or Covid-19 situation change we will email you to update you and provide you with any additional information regarding check in procedures and expectations during your stay.
Contact details of the primary guest will be held for test and trace purposes.
The NHS Test and Trace QR code will be displayed for guests to scan using the NHS Covid-19 App should you wish.

Cleaning

The health and well being of our guests and family remains our top priority. Our usual high cleaning standards have been updated to include a new risk based approach.

Our rooms including all surfaces, seating and curtains will be cleaned, disinfected and sanitised after each stay using cleaning products compliant with EN 14476 standards to kill any enveloped viruses.
All linen, towels and bedding including the protectors will be washed at 60 degrees.
All crockery and other items from the dining room and bedrooms will be washed at a high temperature in the dishwasher.
Any other items that cannot be washed will be isolated for 3 days.
All other public areas will be cleaned, disinfected and sanitised on a daily basis.
In the short term we have removed all soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, magazines etc. to minimize the risk of contamination.
Your room will not be serviced during your stay. On arrival we will advise you as to how you can obtain refills of your complimentary items should you require.
Hand sanitiser will be available and visible at the entrance to the B&B and the entrance to the dining room. Please use the sanitiser on entering and exiting these areas.

Social Distancing and Wearing of Masks

We ask that you adhere to the 2 metre social distancing rules throughout your stay.
We ask that guests will be required to wear masks on arrival and in all communal areas. They are not required once seated in the dining room.
We have reduced our occupancy to aid social distancing.

Breakfast Service

Breakfast times will be staggered to ensure social distancing is maintained. This will be arranged with you upon arrival.
We aim to provide our extensive menu as before, however, to minimize risk there will not be a help yourself cereal/fruit buffet. These food items can be ordered from a printed menu and will be brought to your table.
Tables will be cleaned and sanitised following service.

Check In and Check Out

To ensure social distancing is maintained with other guests, it would be helpful if you could advise us of your estimated time of arrival.
The keys for your room and the front door will be in your room and will have been sanitised before your arrival.
During your stay if you require our assistance please ring the bell located at the bottom of the stairs.
Any outstanding payments due will be processed via card upon departure using a sanitised card machine.

Farm & Local Amenities

The facilities available to you;

B&B; Your bedroom and the farmhouse dining room at a designated breakfast time. Your bedroom will not be serviced during your stay. On arrival we will advise you as to how you can obtain refills of your complimentary items should you require.

Campers; Your own camping pitch area. No one else will have access to your private wash room. The wash room will be thoroughly cleaned before & after your stay (disinfecting of wash area, wiping down door handles, light switches etc.)

Both B&B & Campers; Please do explore the farm via its Devon Wildlife trail but we’re sorry the treasure trail will not be available.

Feeding of the farm animals will have to be observed from a distance, rather than being able participate.

Facilities not available to you at Huxtable Farm B&B/Camping during Covid-19;

B&B; – Until further notice you will not have access to the farmhouse lounge, you will only have access to the dining room at a designated breakfast time.

Both B&B & Campers; You will be able to use the treasure trail/Devon wildlife trail, childrens swings and games room, however board games & magazines will NOT be available to use.

If you require any of the following please bring them too; your own wellington boots, board games, books, magazines, fishing nets, buckets etc. as NONE of these will be available to borrow during the Covid-19 pandemic .

Please bring your own gloves, masks, hand sanitising gel & antibacterial wipes to use; on the farm (when opening gates etc), when shopping and visiting places in North Devon.

If you are visiting the area, please check with local amenities to see if they are open. Most local tourist attractions are operating a ‘book online’ system, so we recommend you book these before your arrival.
https://www.huxtablefarm.co.uk/family-fun/
https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/news/devon-attractions-re-open-as-restrictions-start-to-lift/
Local pubs, restaurants and cafes will also be operating a booking system, and again we suggest you book these prior to your arrival.
https://www.huxtablefarm.co.uk/local-restaurants-pubs-and-eating-places/

Guests’ Health

It is essential that you or anyone in your party do not travel if you are unwell or are showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
You should not travel if you or anyone on your household has been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 within 14 days of your arrival.
Current NHS guidelines for checking symptoms and requirements for self-isolation can be found here; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
If you develop suspected symptoms during your stay we ask that you immediately get tested and if positive you should return home to self isolate. Telephone 111 or using website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ to find out where the nearest testing station is.
The result of this test must be shown to your host Jackie, by telephone messaging or Whats app i.e no contact.
If you are unable to return home and need to extend your stay, you will be restricted to your room for 14 days. Food can be delivered to your door, however, nothing can be removed from the room until after departure. The room will then be sealed off for 72 hours before being deep cleaned.
You will be charged for the additional stay and services and any affected bookings.
Any other guests staying will be notified.

We are taking these precautions to protect you and our family.

We’re sorry to say that your stay will be quite different than usual but hope you will still be able to enjoy your time here safety at a distance!

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Availability

To book either telephone us on 01598 760254, email us at jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or use our online ‘Book Now’ button on the website www.huxtablefarm.co.uk

Whether you are visiting family or friends in the area or are here for business or holiday, we look forward to welcoming you to our home at Huxtable Farm.

Version 18/4/21

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Painting of West Buckland School

Cards & prints of West Buckland School

painted by Jackie – May 2020

A4 Prints and cards are available to purchase;

Card of West Buckland School

Cards £2.50 each (include an envelope).

Mounted A4 prints £20 each.

Contact jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Progress photographs of the painting 🙂

West Buckland School painting 1

West Buckland School painting 2

West Buckland School painting 3

Covid-19 Update

We hope you are keeping well and staying safe as we enter our nineth week in lockdown.

Antony & I have been staying at the farm, looking after our stock, carrying on with the upkeep and maintenance of Huxtable Farm’s accommodation, gardens and farmland so that we are ready to welcome you back when the time comes.

We are monitoring government advice and bearing in mind the welfare of everyone who visits Huxtable Farm B&B, we are now closed until the 4th July 2020. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, take advice from the appropriate authorities and we will only reopen when it is confirmed that we have the ‘all clear’ to do so. If this means that we have to extend the temporary closer further, we will keep you updated.

Rebook for a future date; We very much look forward to the day when we can welcome you to Huxtable Farm B&B again. With this in mind, if you already have a booking with us we very much hope that you will postpone your booking and rearrange for a later date. Please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail at jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Please have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2020 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. Click or the button below to Check available dates at Huxtable Farm B&B.

Availability

We hope you enjoy this month photographs of the sheep getting shorn and guinea fowl chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B. For more videos & photographs please do not hesitate to connect with us via our social media channels; Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Blog (News) on our website.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm B&B just as soon as we are able to do so.

In the meantime, please take care, keep well and stay safe.