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

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

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

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June- Queen Elizabeth – Platinum Jubilee

Congratulations Queen Elizabeth II – What a fantastic acheivement and we are so lucky to be able to celebrate, a once in a lifetime party, with you.

The first ever British Monach to celebrate 70 years of service, who has travelled more widely than any other Monach, including visiting ‘The Gambia’ in 1961, when Antony’s father (my father in law) was the Doctor in charge of Banjuls Hopsital and showed Queen Elizabeth around.

The Queen in The Gambia with Antony’s Father at Banjul (Bathurst) Hospital.

Now that the summer days are longer and warmer camping at Huxtable Farm is popular as alternative accommodation or in addition to Huxtable Farms B&B accommodation.

With the farm to explore via it’s Devon Wildlife Trail the family have a chance to get back to nature, here’s a link to some ideas of FREE things you can do on the farm

Check B&B availability

Check Camping availability

June & July are also fantastic times to visit the wonderful gardens in North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor, 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.

June 6th – July 19th – RHS Garden Rosemoor – Rose Festival

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

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May – Walks in North Devon, Exmoor and South West Coast Path

Sunset walk river Barle Exmoor

The Devon hedgerows are littered with Yellow primrose (Devon’s County flower), pink campions, bluebells, cow parsley & wild garlic at the moment. The bluebells are looking fabulous and the wild garlic has an amazing aroma, as I walk the Devon Wildlife Farm Trail with Bella, our friendly Springer, I really must make some garlic pesto! The blossom; cherry, crabapple & hawthorn is stunning – It’s such a beautiful time of year to dust off the walking boots and discover a new trail on Exmoor or walk part of the South West Coast Path.

Treasure Trail at Huxtable farm B&B, near South Molton

Walking in North Devon during May is very popular – The Macmillan Way West and Tarka Trail, both passing the entrance to Huxtable Farm B&B so we get quite a few staying over night and we always enjoying hearing about everyone’s adventures!

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

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

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

Tame lamb in bluebells

Lambing has been good and the lambs are growing well in the fields. We have a tame, orphan lamb who enjoy being fed a bottle of milk, going for a walk and having a cuddle.

We’ve just enjoyed this years first crop of rhubarb at breakfast. 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;

RHS Rosemoor Gardens Spring Plant Fair 7-8th May & other events

Point to point horse racing, North Devon

15th & 22nd May & 5th June 2022 – Point to Point at Bratton Down.

Bee Keeping experience days at Quince Honey Farm 18th & 19th May

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 29th May 2022 : 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

Flower Pots at Huxtable Farm B&B & Camping pitches

Braunton Burrows

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April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

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

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 9^th – 24^th April, Hartland Abbey & Gardens 17^th & 18^th April, Clovelly 4^th – 18^Th 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

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

Chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

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March – Lambing and Mothers Day

lamb chilling on starw bales

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 (27th 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 few bits of foliage used by Natalie in her prints has been sourced from Huxtable Farm.

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 2022 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

Bottle feeding Jacob lamb, who's mother doesn'y have enough milk for two lambs

Bottle feeding Jacob lamb, who’s mother doesn’t have enough milk for two lambs

Lamb enjoying a piggy back

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February 2022 – Snowdrops, first signs of Spring

snowdrops

The first signs of Spring!- Snowdrops and catkins are out whilst daffodils are peeking through the ground. 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.

As Huxtable Farm is situated within North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Beauty and close to Exmoors Dark Skies Reserve, on clear crisp days we are experiencing some stunning sunrises, sunsets and starry skies, like in the photograph above.

Hazel tee flowers and catkins

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the B&B & camping pitches in April 2022. To help with social distancing etc. the number of B&B bedrooms on offer have been be reduced to two en-suite rooms; one family bedroom and a twin bedded room and each of the three camping pitches have their own private wash rooms.

Camping in tent

Check B&B availability at Huxtable Farm Check Camping availability at Huxtable Farm

National Trust Baggy Point

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 2022 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 wool throws, cushions, knitting kits and hand knitted hats – All made with Devon love.

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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Winter; Time to get creative with a knitting kit

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit (grey or dark Brown sorry cream sold out)

Our Knitting Kits make the perfect gift or chance for yourself to get creative, especially during winter time, when the day light hours are reduced. Treat yourself or someone special. All our knitting kits are put together with love; they include 100% natural wool from our flock of Jacob sheep, detailed instructions, knitting needles and any other necessary additional items so that you or your loved ones can achieve fabulous results. £13.95 each including postage & packing.

Raw Jacob fleece for spinning

Alternatively if you have your own project that requires purchasing our unique wool, or are a hand spinner requiring a Jacob fleece please do get in touch. jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Enquire by e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk and payment details will be sent.

Cable scarf & warmers Knitting Kit £13.95 each (Grey or dark brown sorry cream sold out)

Please do also have a look at our other unique gifts made from our Jacob sheeps’ wool, including gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing, Jacob wool throws & cushions, hand knitted hats etc. They make ideal gifts e.g for a 7th Wool Wedding Aniversary 🙂

Unique gifts from Huxtable Farm

Knitting Kit Rib Scarf & Wrist Warmers £13.99 each (grey or dark brown sorry cream sold out)

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm; 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; looking after the animals, 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 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 (RHS partner garden) just 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill Gardens, Tapely Park Instow (RHS partner garden), not forgetting RHS Rosemoor near Torrington, you will be spoilt for choice.

Off the beaten track, with wonderful views.

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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 throws and cushions, only a few dark throws & cushions available now.

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 for B&B guests

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Autumn – Thinking about unique Christmas gifts?

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Autumn is officially here, the leaves are falling off the trees and the sunsets are spectacular – We hope you and those close to you are well.

Since opening in July it has a been a busy year meeting some wonderful visitors. As many of you already know, we have reduced the number of available B&B rooms to help with social distancing and welcome campers with their own tents, on one of three pitches each with their own bathroom.

We’re already taking B&B and Camping bookings for 2022 and have extended our offer of a free copy of our book ‘Huxtable the Story of a Devon Farm’ to all bookings for next year, to celebrate Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old! Next year could be another busy one so you may wish to provisionally book ahead.

B&B availability Camping availability

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.

Huxtable Farm Apple Juice

New for 2022 – We will have our own delicious apple juice available to purchase and enjoy at breakfast time because this autumn we have had our apples pressed to make delicious apple juice.

Don’t forget if you are starting to think about unique Christmas gifts please do have a look at the lovely items made from the fleeces of our Jacob sheep and prints and cards of watercolour paintings by Jackie. All are available to purchase and can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats, unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, and these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing.

Please e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or telephone Jackie 01598 760254 with your order.

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

Huxtable Farm Jacob sheep

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

Jacob sheep card £4.50 each

Stripy hand knitted Jacob wool hats with or without pompoms £25

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit £13.50

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

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September – harvesting

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Here at Huxtable Farm, we are busy picking apples and blackberries to make delicious homemade jam for you to sample whilst staying in the B&B rooms or camping on one of the three pitches each with their own bathrooms. Whilst staying at Huxtable Farm during September you are very welcome to pick some apples and blackberries to take home or spot some fabulous fungi around the farm.

There are still some dates available for camping but I’m sorry the B&B is fully booked for September.

Camping availability

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor during September.

If you wish to have a car free day there are so many free things you can do at Huxtable Farm B&B

Fungi at Huxtable Farm B&B & Camping pitch

Enjoy an autumnal 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 with the family.

Dartington Crystal, glassware company great to visit any time of year, watch the glass blowers, have a go at painting glass or browse the shop for a gift for a special person.

Events taking place in North Devon during September;-

Books by North Devon Authors

16th – 25th September: – Appledore Book Festival – A chance to meet your favourite author! Here at Huxtable Farm we have available to purchase ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’ telling you all about the farm, it’s history, Huxtable ancestry and its neighbours!

Antony & Jackie look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm.

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Blog

June & July – Gardens to visit, fruit to pick & wool to sort!

June- Queen Elizabeth – Platinum Jubilee

May – Walks in North Devon, Exmoor and South West Coast Path

April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

March – Lambing and Mothers Day

February 2022 – Snowdrops, first signs of Spring

Winter; Time to get creative with a knitting kit

Winter – Christmas gifts from Huxtable Farm

Autumn – Thinking about unique Christmas gifts?

September – harvesting

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