Poppy heads

July – New additions to Huxtable Farm

Peahens

Hurray, we’re now connected to Fibre Broadband 🙂 having had the connection delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown. What a difference it makes not having to watch the circle whirling around.

Other additions to the farm include another broody hen hatching another seven chicks and we have just purchased a peacock, Pedro and a two peahens. Pedro is quite stunning with his tail feathers on display (see photo at bottom of post)

Chick July 2020

Chick July 2020

 

There’s still a lot happening here; Antony continues to chop and split the trees he felled the winter before, last ready to sell as seasoned logs when the weather changes and I’m busy picking goosebrries, redcurrants, blackcurrants & raspberries in the fruit garden, followed by lots of sorting, freezing and jam making. The fruit all seems to ripen at once, thank goodness I have a little helper!

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

I’m also spending time updating the website adding some of the lovely items available to purchase, which can be sent by post within the UK;  Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes.

I’ve also had my paints out again and have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase. Cards £2.50 each (including envelope & wrap) or 5 for £10 and mounted A4 prints £25 each. (Jacob sheep, wool card £4.50 each)

Card of West Buckland School

Card of West Buckland School

Springer Spaniel - Print of acrylic painting by Jackie Payne £30 (8.25"X11")

Springer Spaniel – Print of acrylic painting by Jackie

 

 

 

 

 

Jacob sheep card

We’re already taking B&B bookings for 2021 and have extended our offer of a free copy of the book ‘Huxtable the Story of a Devon Farm’ to all bookings for next year, celebrating Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old! Next year could be busy so you may wish to provisionally book ahead.

Check Availability

Until we see you again, take care, stay safe & healthy, with warm wiahes Jackie, Antony & Bella, the dog 🙂

Peacock Pedro

Chicks July 2020

Chicks July 2020

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

June – Logging, Jacob sheepskin rugs & paintings

Dragging part of a fallen tree trunk

Dragging part of a fallen tree trunk

Antony & I have been using our time to clear fallen tress around the farm, to be used for this winters firewood, as they are already well seasoned.

Fallen Tree

Fallen Tree

 

 

 

 

 

Although we are not open for 2020 we do have some lovely items available to purchase , which can be sent by post within the UK;  Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes. I’ve also had my paints out again and have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase. Cards £2.50 each (including envelope & wrap) or 5 for £10, mounted A4 prints £25.

Water colour painting of Devon house

Water colour painting of Devon house

Wild Flower Meadow Water Colour Print

Wild Flower Meadow Water Colour Print

Card of West Buckland School

Card of West Buckland School

Springer Spaniel - Print of acrylic painting by Jackie Payne £30 (8.25"X11")

Springer Spaniel – Print of acrylic painting by Jackie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are sorry not to be able to accommodate you this year as there are so many beautiful gardens to visit in North Devon at their bestright now; Castle Hill only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, RHS Rosemoor, Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow and National Trust Arlington Court 12 miles away.

Gardens of North Devon

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Roses in June

Next year could be a busy year so you may wish to provisionally book ahead

Check Availability

Butterfly tortoiseshell in garden

Covid-19 Update

Antony & I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe during this Covid-19 pandemic.

After much discussion, deliberation, studying government & tourism authority guidelines on how to open our farm B&B accommodation, we have come to the difficult decision to remain closed until June 2021. This difficult decision was not made lightly; Paramount is the health and well-being of everyone who stays at Huxtable Farm, we also feel that we will not be able to offer you our usual hospitality/experience under these guidelines.

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 and I have not contacted you already please do contact me jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or by telephone 01598 760254

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.

Antony & I miss all of you and look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm in 2021, in the meantime please take care, keep safe & well.

Availability

CORONAVIRUS Action Plan for 2021 at Huxtable Farm

What we are doing to prevent the spread of Covid-19; We have reduced the number of B&B guests staying at Huxtable Farm, to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19. There may be some visitors camping in the fields who will have sole use of the games room & sauna room, so these facilities will not be available to B&B guests during this time.

Existing 2021 Bookings

  • All existing bookings from May 2021 onwards stand. We will contact you via email with arrival details nearer your arrival date.
  • Should the regulations or Covid-19 situation change we will email you to update you and provide you with any additional information regarding check in procedures and expectations during your stay.
  • Contact details of the primary guest will be held for test and trace purposes.
  • The NHS Test and Trace QR code will be displayed for guests to scan using the NHS Covid-19 App should you wish.

Cleaning

The health and well being of our guests and family remains our top priority. Our usual high cleaning standards have been updated to include a new risk based approach.

  • Our rooms including all surfaces, seating and curtains will be cleaned, disinfected and sanitised after each stay using cleaning products compliant with EN 14476 standards to kill any enveloped viruses.
  • All linen, towels and bedding including the protectors will be washed at 60 degrees.
  • All crockery and other items from the dining room and bedrooms will be washed at a high temperature in the dishwasher.
  • Any other items that cannot be washed will be isolated for 3 days.
  • All other public areas will be cleaned, disinfected and sanitised on a daily basis.
  • In the short term we have removed all soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, magazines etc. to minimize the risk of contamination.
  • Your room will not be serviced during your stay. On arrival we will advise you as to how you can obtain refills of your complimentary items should you require.
  • Hand sanitiser will be available and visible at the entrance to the B&B and the entrance to the dining room.  Please use the sanitiser on entering and exiting these areas.

Social Distancing and Wearing of Masks

  • We ask that you adhere to the 2 metre social distancing rules throughout your stay.
  • We ask that guests will be required to wear masks on arrival and in all communal areas.  They are not required once seated in the dining room.
  • We have reduced our occupancy to aid social distancing.

Breakfast Service

  • Breakfast times will be staggered to ensure social distancing is maintained. This will be arranged with you upon arrival.
  • We aim to provide our extensive menu as before, however, to minimize risk there will not be a help yourself cereal/fruit buffet. These food items can be ordered from a printed menu and will be brought to your table.
  • Tables will be cleaned and sanitised following service.

Check In and Check Out

  • To ensure social distancing is maintained with other guests, it would be helpful if you could advise us of your estimated time of arrival.
  • The keys for your room and the front door will be in your room and will have been sanitised before your arrival.
  • During your stay if you require our assistance please ring the bell located at the bottom of the stairs.
  • Any outstanding payments due will be processed via card upon departure using a sanitised card machine.

Farm & Local Amenities

The facilities available to you;

B&B; Your bedroom and the farmhouse dining room at a designated breakfast time. Your bedroom will not be serviced during your stay. On arrival we will advise you as to how you can obtain refills of your complimentary items should you require.

Campers; Your own camping pitch area. No one else will have access to your private wash room. The wash room will be thoroughly cleaned before & after your stay (disinfecting of wash area, wiping down door handles, light switches etc.)

Both B&B & Campers; Please do explore the farm via its Devon Wildlife trail but we’re sorry the treasure trail will not be available.

Feeding of the farm animals will have to be observed from a distance, rather than being able participate.

Facilities not available to you at Huxtable Farm B&B/Camping during Covid-19;

B&B; – Until further notice you will not have access to the farmhouse lounge, you will only have access to the dining room at a designated breakfast time.

Both B&B & Campers; You will be able to use the treasure trail/Devon wildlife trail, childrens swings and games room, however board games & magazines will NOT be available to use.

If you require any of the following please bring them too; your own wellington boots, board games, books, magazines, fishing nets, buckets etc. as NONE of these will be available to borrow during the Covid-19 pandemic .

Please bring your own gloves, masks, hand sanitising gel & antibacterial wipes to use; on the farm (when opening gates etc), when shopping and visiting places in North Devon.

Guests’ Health

  • It is essential that you or anyone in your party do not travel if you are unwell or are showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
  • You should not travel if you or anyone on your household has been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 within 14 days of your arrival.
  • Current NHS guidelines for checking symptoms and requirements for self-isolation can be found here; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
  • If you develop suspected symptoms during your stay we ask that you immediately get tested and if positive you should return home to self isolate. Telephone 111 or using website
  • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ to find out where the nearest testing station is.
  • The result of this test must be shown to your host Jackie, by telephone messaging or Whats app i.e no contact.
  • If you are unable to return home and need to extend your stay, you will be restricted to your room for 14 days. Food can be delivered to your door, however, nothing can be removed from the room until after departure.  The room will then be sealed off for 72 hours before being deep cleaned.
  • You will be charged for the additional stay and services and any affected bookings.
  • Any other guests staying will be notified.

We are taking these precautions to protect you and our family.

We’re sorry to say that your stay will be quite different than usual but hope you will still be able to enjoy your time here safety at a distance!

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Availability

To book either telephone us on 01598 760254, email us at jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or use our online ‘Book Now’ button on the website www.huxtablefarm.co.uk

Whether you are visiting family or friends in the area or are here for business or holiday, we look forward to welcoming you to our home at Huxtable Farm.

Version 18/4/21

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

Ewe with lambs smelling the daffodils

Spring lambs and sunshine :)

Jacob lamb resting

Jacob lamb resting

Thoughts are with everyone during this Corvid-19 pandemic, it all feels so surreal!

Here at Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast, we have decided to close initially until the 1st May and will review at the end of April whether this will need to be extended.  We are respecting the government’s recommendations and would hate to be a reason for spreading Corvid-19 further.

If you have any bookings with us in the immediate future please do get in contact if we haven’t contacted you already, so that we can arrange to postone your break until later in the year.

Eggs in incubator

Eggs in incubator

 

Life here on the farm continues; Our small flock of The Jacob ewes have started lambing.

Some eggs are now in the incubator and one of our hens has gone broody so we should have some chicks hatching around Easter weekend. In everyones absence a tawny owl has decided to move in to an old dove hole in the farmhouse and is sitting on her eggs.

Tawny owl on eggs

Tawny owl on eggs

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

In the meantime, we wish you all the very best in the weeks ahead and hope that you, your family & friends stay safe & healthy.

As promised here’s some photographs for you to enjoy.

Jacob lamb feeding

Jacob lamb feeding

Jacob ewe and lamb at trough

Jacob ewe and lamb at trough

Jacob ewe and lambs

Jacob ewe and lambs

Jacob lambs

Jacob lambs

 

Spring flowers; primroses & daffodils

Corvid-19 Update

Bo - Bottle fed tame lamb

Bo – Bottle fed tame lamb

Thoughts are with everyone during this Corvid-19 pandemic.

Here at Huxtable Farm B&B, we have decided to close initially until the 1st May and will review at the end of April whether this will need to be extended.  We are respecting the government’s recommendations and would hate to be a reason for spreading Corvid-19 further.

If you have any bookings with us in the immediate future please do get in contact if I haven’t contacted you already.

Life here on the farm continues; Antony is pleased to have more help outside i.e. Me ! – Helping put up new fences around the fields, chopping logs for the wood burners etc. And I’m please to have him helping me update the herb garden 🙂

Our small flock of The Jacob ewes have started lambing and are due to produce lambs until about the 20th April. On Easter morning we aim to have some chicks hatching from some of our hens eggs. I’ll keep you updated with photographs.

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

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

 

In the meantime, we wish you all the very best in the weeks ahead and hope that you and yours stay as healthy and well as possible.

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

Jacob with twin lambs

Jacob with twin lambs

Lambs resting on hay

Lambs resting on hay

 

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