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.

Ewe with lambs smelling the daffodils

March – Mothers Day and Lambing

Orphan tame lamb, Woolly is expecting lambs herself this year Woolly is

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

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

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

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

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Eggs

Mother’s Day and Easter lambing time

Mothers Day

Mothers Day

Mother’s Day is on the 22nd March A chance to express respect, honour & love to Mothers. Acknowledge the efforts of the maternal bond and the mothers role in our society.

Here are some idea’s to help you spoil your special Mum; A night at Huxtable Farm B&B, welcomed with a Devon cream tea then in the morning enjoy a delicious Mothers Day breakfast next to the crackling log fire in the medieval dining room. Have afternoon tea at RHS Rosemoor Gardens having visited the SW Alpine Garden Society Show. Buy a gift from Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob wool shop; 100% Jacob wool throws, cushions, scarves, yarn and knitting kits. Give your mother a Voucher to stay at Huxtable Farm B&B at sometime later this year, telephone 01598 760254 or e-mail for more details.

Huxtable Farm B&B Voucher

Huxtable Farm B&B Voucher

To help you enjoy what’s going on in North Devon during March, Huxtable Farm B&B has a special offer, of a Luxury Cream Tea on arrival for National #BandBWeek 16th – 22th March . We also have some SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES at Huxtable Farm B&B until 31st March 2020.

Check available dates at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon and Exmoor

Availability

Bo - Bottle fed tame lamb

Bo – Bottle fed tame lamb

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – Our small flock of The Jacob ewes are due to produce lambs between the 20th March – 20th April – Do come and enjoy this time of year with us when the hibernation period is coming to end and our stunning countryside is waking up. On Easter morning we will have an Easter Egg Hunt for the children and aim to have some chicks hatching, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm B&B special.

During April, leading up to Easter, 12th April some of the local attractions have #Easter #Egg hunts and Easter events to enjoy;
April – RHS Rosemoor –  Easter crafts.
Easter fun at National Trust Arlington Court, Quince Honey Farm, The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, Hartland Abbey and Clovelly!

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Children Easter Egg Hunt

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.

Check available dates at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon and Exmoor

Availability

If you’d like to receive the next & future Huxtable Farm ‘news’ update please subscribe with your e-mail address

Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs

Easter lambs, chicks and flowers

Easter lambs, chicks and flowers

March Hare video to enjoy 🙂

 

Books by North Devon Authors

World Book Day & Mother’s Day

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

Book – ‘Huxtable – The story of a Devon Farm’

World Book Day 5th March 2020 recognised by Unesco celebrating the joy of reading books. A registered charity 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 this year, we are giving every booking on arrival, a copy of our book ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm ‘

Books by North Devon Authors

Books by North Devon Authors

Some local authors you may also know are; Henry Williamson who wrote ‘Tarka the Otter’ – The Tarka Trail passes Huxtable Farm B&B’s entrance. Johnny Kingdom -Local Exmoor Wildlife photographer & author. 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 B&B . 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’.

Mother’s Day is on the 22nd March Here are some gift ideas; A voucher to stay at Huxtable Farm B&B please telephone 01598 760254 for more details. A Jacob sheep wool gift Jacob sheep wool gift from our shop, the ewes are due to start lambing 20th March!

To help you enjoy what’s going on in North Devon during March we have a SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATE at Huxtable Farm B&B until 31st March.

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.

Check available dates at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon and Exmoor

Availability

If you’d like to receive the next & future Huxtable Farm ‘news’ update please subscribe with your e-mail address

Hare in grass at Huxtable Farm B&B

March – Hares, Pancake Day & Mothers Day

Bottle feeding Leveret

Bottle feeding Leveret

Brown Hare: – 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. Often associated with magic because they are very elusive, disappearing quickly out of sight if spotted. A hare can be distinguished from their close relative the rabbit, by their distinctive long ears with black tips, powerful long hind legs and orange iris in contrast to rabbits eyes which are almost black.  The boxing behaviour that can be seen during March is usually female hares fending off amorous males. The brown hare used to be a common sight in the British countryside but the population has declined since 1960 , due sadly to various reason such as changes in agricultural practices & traffic deaths.

Leveret

Leveret

Sadly, last Autumn scientists declared that myxomatosis may have spread from rabbits to hares and could wipe out Britain’s brown hares

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. When ever I see a hare in March I often wonder if it’s the one I so lucky to have reared.

Pancakes for breakfast

Pancakes for breakfast

Pancake Day/Shove Tuesday, the day before fasting period of Lent leading up to Easter is on the 5th March 2019. Will you be eating pancakes if yes how do you like yours? I like mine with lemon & sugar, sweet & sour.

It’s Mother’s Day on the 31st March Here are some idea’s to help you spoil someone special; A night at Huxtable Farm B&B, welcomed with a Devon cream tea then in the morning enjoy a delicious Mothers Day breakfast next to the crackling log fire in the medieval dining room. Have afternoon tea at RHS Rosemoor Gardens having visited the RHS Spring Flower Competition. Buy a gift from Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob wool shop; 100% Jacob wool throws, cushions, scarves, yarn and knitting kits. Give your mother a Voucher to stay at Huxtable Farm B&B at sometime later this year, telephone 01598 760254 or e-mail for more details.

Cards painted by Jackie

Cards painted by Jackie

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 31st March 2019.

Please also have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2019 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 dates at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon and Exmoor

If you’d like to receive the next & future Huxtable Farm ‘news’ update please subscribe with your e-mail address