Easter chicks, lambs and flowers

April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

Ewe with lambs smelling the daffodils

Ewe with lambs smelling the daffodils

Spring – I just love this time of year on the farm – The greenhouse is full of sown seed trays, the garden is full of Spring bulbs with lots of bright, vibrant colours and the trees are starting to produce fresh green leaves and beautiful blossom, all fabulous for bees and other insects.

The ewes have finished lambing and looking after their lambs well. The lambs are a joy to watch gambling in the evening sun.

Broody hen sitting on eggs

Broody hen sitting on eggs

A broody hen is sitting on some eggs, which, finger crossed she should hatch Easter weekend, so that we have some Easter chicks. There’s always an Easter egg hunt here at the farm and at so many other locations around North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor 9th – 24th April, Hartland Abbey & Gardens 17th & 18th April, Clovelly 4th – 18Th April.

Now that we are into British summer time the evenings are lighter, we’ve even had our first Barbeque, have you yet?

Castle Hill Filleigh

Castle Hill Filleigh

This is the time of year to visit Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, just 2 miles down the road. Castle Hill Gardens is beautiful in Spring, with its magnolias, camilias, spring bulbs, babbling streams, folly’s and ground carpeted in primroses, Devons County flower.

Bookings for the B&B and camping pitches are coming in as visitors are making sure they get the room and or camping pitch they want, especially for the summer months. I 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

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

Chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

 

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 !

 

 

 

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

Winter Sunrise at Huxtable Farm B&B

Happy New Year – Welcome to 2021

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

Check Availability

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Photos

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Painting of West Buckland School

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

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 1

West Buckland School painting 2

West Buckland School painting 2

West Buckland School painting 3

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

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.

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.

Guinea Fowl Chicks

Guinea Fowl Chicks

Newly hatch Guinea fowl chick

Newly hatch Guinea fowl chick

Jacobs before shearing

Jacobs before shearing

Shorn Jacobs in May

Shorn Jacobs in May

Shearing Jacob

Shearing Jacob

Shearing Woolly

Shearing Woolly

Wild English Bluebells at Huxtable Farm B&B

May at Huxtable Farm B&B Devon & Covid-19 Update

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

Bluebells Pinkbells-&-Whitebells

Bluebells Pinkbells-&-Whitebells

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 have decided to close Huxtable Farm B&B until the 4th July 2020. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and 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.

Bee on Blossom

Bee on Blossom

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

Woolly - last years tame orphan lamb

Woolly – last years tame orphan lamb

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.

We hope you enjoy the videos below of this years lambs 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.

 

 

Easter Eggs

Happy Easter from all at Huxtable Farm B&B Devon

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Children Easter Egg Hunt

 

As I fed the sheep, lambs, hens & chicks followed by a walk around the farms Devon Wildlife Trail this morning I thought about the many happy Easter weekends we have spent with our guests at Huxtable Farm B&B. After breakfast, the excitement on the faces of children looking for Easter eggs on the Easter Egg Hunt in the garden, followed by bottle feeding the tamed lambs and holding a real live Easter chick. We’re missing sharing these special Spring moments with you all
 
Antony, Bella(dog) & I are sorry that you are unable to join us this year, but we are thinking of you and sending you all our very best wishes for a Happy Easter and hoping that you can enjoy this weekend as much as possible, despite the very challenging circumstances that we all facing.

Jacob lamb resting

Jacob lamb resting

I hope you enjoy the video below of this years Easter 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.

Hopefully, when this pendemic is all over we will see you later in the year.

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

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.

Easter at Huxtable Farm B&B Devon

Exmoor Red Deer in the woods

Winter Wildlife on Exmoor & North Devon 2020

woodpecker

woodpecker

Availability

Winter is a special time to see a wide variety of Devon Wildlife from Exmoor Red Deer and the iconic Exmoor ponies in their fluffy winter coats to otters and dolphins in the rivers and sea respectively. Spotting wildlife on the farm during February and March is great too; – The trees don’t have their leaves yet so you can spot the Roe deer and Exmoor Red deer in the woodland, brown hares in the grassy verges, hear the spot lesser spotted woodpeckers and see buzzards soaring over head.

February is a fabulous 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 Wheddon Cross open to the public until 23rd Feb 2020)

Breakfast next to a crackling log fire in the morning

Breakfast next to a crackling log fire in the morning

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 after taking Bella, the Springer Spaniel, for a farm walk or having fed the sheep.

Our small flock of Jacob sheep are due to produce lambs at the end of March and during 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.

Cuddling Jacob sheep lamb at lambing time

Cuddling Jacob sheep lamb at lambing time

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

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

Please also 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

Tame orphan Romney lamb cuddle

Tame orphan Romney lamb cuddle

A few wildlife videos to enjoy

 

RHS Rosemoor lights

Happy New Year – Welcome to 2020

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2020 from all at Huxtable Farm B&B, we look forward to welcoming you in 2020 🙂

Check Availability

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Photos

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Photos

Please click on this link (2020 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 small flock of Jacob ewes lambing during the weeks of April. Easter is on the 12th 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: 22nd March Mother Day, 12th April Easter Day & Bank Holidays 8th & 25th May. 21st June – Fathers Day and Summer Bank Holiday 26th August.

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

Colourful eggs in the incubator

April – Easter chicks and Jacob ewes lambing

Jacob lamb at Hxtable Farm B&B, Devon

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – Our small flock of The Jacob ewes are due to produce lambs between the 1st April and Easter – 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 also aim to have some chicks hatching and an Easter Egg Hunt, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm special.

During April, leading up to Easter, 21st 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 & Cadburys Easter Egg Hunt. Easter Egg hunts at Quince Honey Farm, The Big Sheep, The Milky WayCombe Martin Wildlife Park, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

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

Easter Eggs
Easter Eggs

 

 

RHS Rosemoor Wool and Yarn Fest 6th & 7th April.

Stay at Huxtable Farm B&B, only 13 miles from RHS Rosemoor, this weekend and puchase some Jacob wool yarn and or products.

 

Huxtable Farm B&B Accommodation, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon, near Exmoor National Park, Quince Honey Farm, Castle Hill Gardens and Wedding Venue

Jacob lambs
Newly born Jacob lambs on April Fools Day 🙂
Jacob lamb
Jacob lamb
Jacob lambs with ewe