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

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

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

October – North Devon things to do

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

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)

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 at Huxtable Farm

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

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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

: Visit North Devon Gardens including RHS Rosemoor

: RHS Rosemoor Flower Show 2017

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

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

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

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

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!

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August – Things to do whilst visiting North Devon

I love seeing these fields of thatching straw drying out in the summer sunshine – An ancient craft still maintained.

With the North Devon Show taking place on the 2nd August– at Umberleigh EX37 9DX (Sadly CANCELLED due to wet conditions under foot) you’ll be able to see many other North Devon crafts, horticultural, farm animals, machinery, displays, exhibitors, food & drink local to the area. A great day out for everyone. You’ll probably need some wellies though!

Other things to do during August in North Devon ; –

RHS Rosemoor Gardens, rose festival and hot garden

RHS Rosemoor Gardens, roses and hot garden

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

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

Westward Ho! Sea pool and Westward Ho! beach

Beaches to visit in North Devon

Wildlife & Nature of North Devon & Exmoor

Arts and Crafts in North Devon

Family Fun in North Devon

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

June – some wild flowers found around Huxtable Farm B&B

Some of the wild flowers you can find on the Devon wildlife farm trail at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, situated between Barnstaple & South Molton, near Exmoor, North Devon.

Thistle

Water Lily

Red dead nettle

Meadow saxifrage

Iris

Honeysuckle

Hop Trefoil

Groundsel

Elderflower

Cow parsley

Common hemp nettle

Clover

Birds foot trefoil

Charlock

Wild flower ?

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June – Elderflower & Gooseberry Jam, Roses & Cream Teas

Lupins and Roses at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon, Barnstaple

June – With the longest day of the year approaching (21st June) with bright fresh morning and balmy evenings, we’re grateful for the long days as there is so much to do on the farm at this time of year, from making hay & silage for winter feed, cutting the lawns & weeding the garden to picking fruit.

The rhubarb, gooseberries & elderflowers are lovely this year giving us plenty of fresh produce for the breakfast table; honeyed rhubarb and homemade gooseberry & elderflower jam (a favourite with everyone).

– The Lupins and Roses are just coming into bloom, which reminds me to tell you to visit RHS Rosemoor to see their beautiful rose gardens during their Rose Festival June 17 – 30th July.

June is a great time to visit the beautiful gardens, National Trust properties, historic houses, harbours and market towns of North Devon & Exmoor or enjoy a stroll away from it all on Exmoor along the side of a river (We’ll share with you some special places to visit!).

Devon Cream Tea welcome

With National Cream Tea Day on the 30th June, in Devon we like to put the cream on the scone and the jam on top of the cream. You can enjoy a Devon Cream Tea welcome any time of year at Huxtable Farm B&B

There’s so much going on in North Devon during June here are a few thing taking place over the next few weeks: –
What’s on at RHS Rosemoor – Rose Festival June 17 – 30th July
National Trust Arlington Court – What’s on during June – Meet the gardener, garden Trail, garden talk
South Molton Vintage Rally 3rd – 4th June
South Molton Olde English Fayre 9th- 13th June
17th June 2017 – Point to Point at Umberleigh.
16th, 17th & 18th June 2017 – Gold Coast Ocean Festival, Woolacombe & Croyde
Getting active during your stay in North Devon
Beaches of North Devon

Point to point horse racing, North Devon

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Goslings have hatched & what to look forward to in June

French Toulouse Gosling hatched at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon near Exmoor

Love this time of year, the trees now have leaves, the spring flowers are amazing, the swallows are back and young animals are finding their feet!

Some of the goose eggs we obtained from The Black Venus Inn Challacombe, Exmoor have hatched – A great Inn to have a meal at whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B

Bo – Bottle fed tame lamb

This years tame orphan lambs (‘Baa-baa’ and ‘Bo’) are always keen to say ‘Baa’ to everyone and are waiting to be bottle feed their milk. All the other lambs & ewes are looking good in the fields too.

Baa Baa enjoying some company 🙂

There is so much to look forward to in June;-

The Jacob sheep will be shorn and we’ll have lots of beautifully soft Jacob & Jacob cross Texel fleeces for spinners & felters to purchase.

Devon Cream Tea Welcome

With National Cream Tea Day on the 30th June, in Devon we like to put the cream on the scone and the jam on top of the cream. You can enjoy a Cream Tea welcome any time of year at Huxtable Farm B&B

Here are a few links to things that are taking place during June to put in your diary (18th June Fathers Day): –
RHS Rosemoor – Rose Festival June 17th June – 30th July
RHS Rosemoor – In the Night Garden Trail 1st May – 30th June
National Trust Arlington Court events
Getting active during your stay in North Devon
Beaches of North Devon
3rd &4th June Antiques & Vintage Home Show, Westpoint Arena, Exeter
3rd & 4th June 2017 – South Molton Vintage Rally
17th June 2017 – Point to Point at Umberleigh.
8th – 12th June – South Molton Olde English Fayre.
16th, 17th & 18th June 2017 – Gold Coast Ocean Festival, Woolacombe & Croyde (Kaiser Chiefs)
Clovelly and events taking place at Clovelly during 2017 e.g Clovelly Seaweed Festival 4th June

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Roses in June

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Wild flowers at Huxtable Farm B&B this May

Pink Campions

Apple Blossom

wild-flower

Foxglove

Yellow pimpernel

wild-flower

Ribwort

Corn Spurry

Hawthorn Blossom

Scarlet Pimpernel

Greater Stitchwort

Mose flowers

Thistle

Some of the wild flowers found around Huxtable Farm B&B during the month of May.

Most are named the few that are named ‘wild flower’ I would appreciate your input.

I know one is regarded as a weed but I understand that ‘a weed is a plant in the wrong place’ however these flowers look great on the farm!

Wild strawberry flower

cuckooflower and buttercups

Speedwells

Butterfly & Bluebells

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May – Bluebell walks, Gardens, County Show and much more …

Swallows at Huxtable Farm B&B

May – The woodland has this years fresh new leaves, the days are getting warmer & longer, the swallows are back and the bluebells are looking glorious–

Lambing has been good and the lambs are growing well in the fields

Please click HERE to view other video’s taken at Huxtable Farm B&B.

rhubarb in garden

We’ve just enjoyed this years first rhubarb at breakfast and soon I’ll be able to plant out the various seedlings from the greenhouse too. 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 good this month with it’s camellias in flower. Marwood Hill Garden with it’s beautiful wisteria archway.

Walking in North Devon during May is very popular staying over night at Huxtable Farm B&B whilst walking the Macmillan Way West or Tarka Trail, both passing the entrance to Huxtable Farm – We always enjoying hearing about everyone’s adventures! Click here for information on walking & cycling in North Devon.

Treasue Trail at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

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 variety of habitats; woodland, pasture, pond, bracken slope and hedges. To make it even more interesting we now have a ‘Treasure Trail’ for you to enjoy!

Events taking place during May;

The Devon County Show, takes place this month on the 18th, 19th & 20th May, near Exeter. With something for everyone from prize winning animals, new vehicles & machinery to beautiful crafts & scrumptious food & drink, this is a great day out for all.

RHS Rosemoor Gardens Plant Heritage Spring Fair 13 – 14th May, Devon Chilli Fiesta 20-21st May & future event – RHS Rosemoor’s first Flower Show 18th -20th August.

21st May 4th & 11th June 2017 – Point to Point at Bratton Down.

Tomatoes, vines & sunflowers in greenhouse

Fun filled drop in craft and ranger days at National Trust Arlington Court

Bee Keeping experience days at Quince Honey Farm 11th & 13th May

Meet Marshall from Paw Patrol at The Milky Way Adventure Park 28th May

Meet Rex the T-Rex and his baby dinosaurs at The Big Sheep Adventure Park 28th May

In June you can look forward to;

The South Molton Vintage Rally: 3rd & 4th June : Cars, motorcycles, steam engines, crafts, & demonstrations of rural skills.

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 4th June : Promoting seaweed for its immense health & nutritional benefits

or just come and enjoy panoramic views from Huxtable Farm B&B!

Enjoying the view South towards Dartmoor

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Blog

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

October – North Devon things to do

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

August/September

August – Things to do whilst visiting North Devon

June – some wild flowers found around Huxtable Farm B&B

June – Elderflower & Gooseberry Jam, Roses & Cream Teas

Goslings have hatched & what to look forward to in June

Wild flowers at Huxtable Farm B&B this May

May – Bluebell walks, Gardens, County Show and much more …

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