Easter egg hunts and lambing

Broody hen, can you find where she's hiding?

Broody hen, can you find where she’s hiding?

This is one of my favourite times of the year – the days are warming up and getting long, the garden is bursting into colour with daffodils, primroses, blossom and camelias, whilst new life is born on the farm as the Jacob ewes lamb and broody hens appear with their chicks. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place and we love sharing it with you.

Jacob ewe & lamb

Jacob ewe & lamb

Easter Eggs

On Easter day (31st March) there’s always an Easter egg hunt here at the farm and Easter activities at some of North Devon attractions too e.g. RHS Rosemoor Gardens Giant Easter Egg Hunt 29th March – 14th April.  Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh 29th Easter Bunny hunt. The Big Sheep, Bideford Easter Egg Trail 29th March – 14th April

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

B&B AVAILABILITY

CAMPING AVAILABILITY

Wishing you a very happy & healthy Easter from all at Huxtable Farm

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

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

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

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

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

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

Huxtable Farm view from bench on a frosty morning

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 with removable clothing £19 each

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

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throw

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

Printnineteen Christmas Cards

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.

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.

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

Devon Cream Tea welcome on arrival for B&B guests

Hay making

August; School holidays & time to explore!

Fishing in Pond

Fish for newts, water boat men and find out what else is in the pond!

The hay is in the barns, most of the fruit picking is done and the school holidays are upon us – August and it’s time to enjoy the farm and it’s surroundings.

Get back to nature; Explore the farm via it’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail or  Treasure Trail.

Build a den in the woodland

Build a den in the woodland and dams in the stream

Fairies

See how many fairies you can find

Spot the Peachicks

Spot the Peachicks

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 North Devon Gardens including RHS Rosemoor

Visit North Devon Gardens including RHS Rosemoor

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

We look forward to welcoming you.

B&B availability Camping availability

 

 

 

 

 

Camping in a tent

July – Gardens, fruit picking, camping and things to do

Rockie - the tame lamb

Rockie – the tame lamb

 

July – The orphan tame lamb, ‘Rockie’ (Jacob cross Romney sheep breed), has been weaned off his bottle of milk and joined the flock so that he has some friends to play with!

rhubarb, gooseberries and redcuurants

rhubarb, gooseberries and redcurrants

 

 

 

Picking has started in the fruit garden  – Gooseberry’s, redcurrants, rhubarb and the raspberries will be ready soon.

Fresh home-grown fruit, compotes and homemade jams for the breakfast table – ‘Elderflower & Gooseberry’ is a firm favourite on Huxtable Farm’s warm toasted home baked granary toast or a croissant.

Raw Jacob fleece

Raw Jacob fleece

Spinning raw fleece

Spinning raw fleece

 

The sheep are pleased to have been shorn now that the weather is warm, so we have some lovely Jacob and Romney fleeces available for spinners & felters to purchase and enjoy.

 

Camping pitchNow that the summer holidays are upon us we are offering camping at Huxtable Farm; Three individual camping pitches situated at different locationa around the farm, each with their own private wash room. A wash room with fridge and freezer space is available for all campers as is a games room.

Things to do and places to visit this July;

Enjoy sitting the garden at Huxtable Farm or walk the farm’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

Pond on farm Devon Wildlife trail

Pond on farm Devon Wildlife trail

We are so lucky to have so many beautiful gardens to visit in North Devon; Castle Hill only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow and National Trust Arlington Court 12 miles away. Not forgetting RHS Rosemoor just south at Torrington.

June 6th – 19th July – RHS Garden Rosemoor – Rose Festival – The largest rose gardens in the South West.

Quince Honey Farm, Exmoor Zoo and Coombe Martin Dinosaur and Wildlife park are within 20mins drive from Huxtable Farm. Click here to see more local family attractions and things to to in North Devon

Gardens of North Devon

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival July

Statue of Dr Smart at Marwood Hill Gardens

Statue of Dr Smart at Marwood Hill Gardens

A few photographs taken a round the farm recently for you to ENJOY 🙂

Shorn Jacob sheep

Shorn Jacob sheep

Lily in the Devon Wildlife Pond

Lily in the Devon Wildlife Pond at Huxtable Farm

Time to sit back and watch the world go by !

Time to sit back and watch the world go by !

 

 

 

Peahen and chicks

June – long warm days and gardens to explore.

We have some new proud parents at Huxtable Farm today! – One of the peahens eggs have hatched and ‘Pedro’, the peacock daddy, is so proud 🙂

Rural camping on a farm

Rural camping on a farm

Now that we are able to socialise a bit more, especially when outside, this is a great time to explore the farm and get back to nature via it’s Devon Wildlife Trail. Here’s a link to some ideas of FREE things you can do on the farm.

Time outside is made easier now that summer is here, with its long warm days. This also means that camping at Huxtable Farm is available as alternative accommodation or in addition to B&B accommodation for other members of the family.

Camping availability

 

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

June is a great month to visit the beautiful gardens of North Devon; Castle Hill 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 south at Torrington with it’s Rose Festival in June.

In addition to Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, knitted hats and toys made from the fleeces of our ewes, we now 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.

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

Check out some events taking place during 2021 in the North Devon area so that you can plan your visit around some of them. We look forward to seeing you soon.

B&B availability

Peacock nest and eggs

Peacock nest and eggs

 

Wild flowers at Huxtable Farm B&B Devon this May

May – Soon we will meet again!

The wild garlic has an amazing aroma as I walk the Devon Wildlife Farm Trail with Bella, it’s making me want to cook something garlicy for supper!

We hope everyone is keeping well, safe and have had or about to have Covid vaccines.

I’ve had both injections and Antony’s second injection is soon.

Due to other family commitments, including a long awaited family wedding, we won’t be opening up the B&B  until mid June when we look forward to welcoming you then.

We have reduced the number of B&B bedrooms available to help with social distancing and now have three camping pitches each with their own wash rooms.

Do check availability here

B&B availability

Camping availability

In the meantime we are endevouring to maintain the grounds, look after the animals (sheep with lambs, hens with chicks, peahen sitting on eggs and friendly Bella the dog) to make your experience here enjoyable and as Covid safe as possible.

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 we also have unique gifts to purchase 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 with removable clothing £19 each

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

Jacob sheepskin rug

Jacob sheepskin rug £95 each

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throw

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

Print Nineteen Cards

Print Nineteen Cards

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.

Whilst our son, Nigel, has 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

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

Pancakes for breakfast

February 2021 – Pancake Day

snowdrops

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

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

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

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

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