Bluebells under trees

May – Bluebell walks, Beautiful Gardens, Devon County Show and more …

 

Lambing finished a few days ago and the lambs are growing well, despite the grass not growing as vigorously as it should be at this time of year.

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

rhubarb in garden

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

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 even have a ‘Treasure Trail’ for you to enjoy!

Events taking place during May;

The Devon County Show, takes place this month on the 17th, 18th & 19th 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 Spring Design & Living Fair 5th – 7th May, Plant Heritage Spring Fair 12th – 13th May & future event – RHS Rossmoor’s Flower Show 17th -19th August.

20th May & 10th June 2018 – Point to Point at Bratton Down.

Tomatoes, vines & sunflowers in greenhouse

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

Meet ‘Chase’ from Paw Patrol at The Milky Way Adventure Park 2nd June

Meet Rex the T-Rex and his baby dinosaurs at The Big Sheep Adventure Park  6th May

In June you can look forward to;

The South Molton Vintage Rally: 2nd & 3rd June : Cars, motorcycles, steam engines, crafts, & demonstrations of rural skills.

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 27th May : Promoting seaweed for its immense health & nutritional benefits, in aid of North Devon Hospice

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

Enjoying the view South towards Dartmoor

Enjoying the view South towards Dartmoor

Jacob lamb at lambing rime in Spring

Lambing and Easter chicks

Easter chick

Easter chick

 

The Easter chicks hatched on Easter Saturday and lambing has been quite challenging in the wet cold weather, lets hope a warm spell of sunshine arrives soon to dry out the fields, make the grass grow and for us all to enjoy – It’s always so lovely to see the lambs gambling in the sunshine.

 

Here are a few photographs through from a ewe giving birth to her lamb enjoying it’s first feed.

Jacob ewe in labour a lambs foot is just visible

Jacob ewe in labour a lambs foot is just visible

Lamb just born

Lamb just born

Jacob ewe cleaning her lamb

Jacob ewe cleaning her lamb

Ewe cleaning lamb and lamb starting to get up

Ewe cleaning lamb and lamb starting to get up

Lamb all clean with ewe

Lamb all clean with ewe

Lamb enjoying it's first feed

Lamb enjoying it’s first feed

 

Here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon during the Easter holidays and local attractions with Easter activities; Quince Honey Farm, Castle Hill Easter Bunny Hunt The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and Clovelly.

However, there is also so much to see and do on and around the farm.

Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SR

 

Jacob lamb at lambing rime in Spring

Easter – Lambing & Easter chicks

April - Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – The ewes have started to have their lambs and will be for the next three weeks.

With a variety of eggs are in the incubator now – We’re hoping to have some chicks hatching on Easter morning, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm eggstra special – We look forward to sharing this special Spring Bank Holiday weekend with you.

With Easter (April Fools Day 🙂 1st April nearly here here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon.  Not only is there so much to see and do on and around the farm, there are so many #Easter #Egg hunts to look forward to at all the attractions in the area; Quince Honey Farm, Castle Hill Easter Bunny Hunt The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SR

March snow gone, Lambing has started – Spring is here :)

Here are a few snowy photographs from around the farm for you to enjoy – Hopefully you can find the various locations around the farm without snow when you visit Huxtable Farm B&B in warmer weather conditions.

Lambing has started we’ve had a triplet and two doubles today, the daffodils and primroses are brightening up the garden, Easter is next week, the sun is shining so it’s starting to feel more like Spring 🙂

Colourful eggs in the incubator

Easter – Lambing and Easter chicks :)

April - Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – The ewes are due to start lambing on the 25th March and for the following three weeks.

A variety of eggs are in the incubator now – We’re hoping to have some chicks hatching on Easter morning, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm eggstra special – We look forward to sharing this special Spring Bank Holiday weekend with you.

With Easter (April Fools Day 🙂 1st April approaching here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon. Not only is there so much to see and do on and around the farm, there are so many #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, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon wildlife pond with ice

March – Mother’s Day, March Hare, Lambing Live & nearly Easter

Feeding birds sharing lunch together

Feeding birds sharing lunch together, blackbird, sparrows & woodpecker!

It’s Mother’s Day on the 11th March Here are some idea’s to help you spoil someone special; 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 RHS Spring Flower Competition. 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.

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – The ewes are due to start lambing on the 25th March and for the following three weeks, we also aim to have some chicks hatching on Easter morning, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm special.

April - Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

April – Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

Hare in field at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple Devon,

Hare in field at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple Devon,

March Hare: – Known as the fastest mammal in the UK, the Brown Hare is capable of reaching speeds up to 45mph (72kph), making them able to outrun a predator. A hare can be distinguished from their close relative the rabbit, by their distinctive long ears with black tips, powerful long hind legs and orange iris in contrast to rabbits eyes which are almost black. The boxing behaviour that can be seen during March is usually female hares fending off amorous males. The brown hare used to be a common sight in the British countryside but the population has declined since 1960 , due sadly to various reason such as  changes in agricultural practices & traffic deaths.

 

 

With Easter (April Fools Day 🙂 1st April) approaching here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon. Not only is there so much to see and do on and around the farm, there are so many #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, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

Easter chicks

Easter chicks

 

West Buckland in the Snow

March – freezing weather & snow

Hope you’re keeping warm and safe in this freezing weather & snow. Here are some snowy photograph’s taken around the farm

West Buckland Village & ewes in the snow

West Buckland Village & ewes in the snow

Feeding birds sharing lunch together

Feeding birds sharing lunch together

West Buckland School in the snow

West Buckland School in the snow

Stream with two bridges on Devon Wildlife farm trail at Huxtable Farm B&B

Stream with two bridges on Devon Wildlife farm trail at Huxtable Farm B&B

The snow is great for foot prints do you know who these belong to?

 

Enjoying the #snow ❄️

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Books by North Devon Authors

1st March 2018 – World Book Day

World Book Day – A freezing cold day great for curling up with a good book.

We’re so lucky in North Devon to have a variety of great authors, past & present and books about North Devon

Book all about - Huxtable Farm - The story of a Devon Farm

Book all about – Huxtable Farm – The story of a Devon Farm

From our own book about Huxtable Farm edited by Barbara Payne ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’ to Henry Williamson’s ‘Tarka the Otter’

‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’ can be purchased at £7.50 plus P&P Contact jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Henry Williamson ‘Tarka the Otter’ – Follows an otters joyful water-life and death in the country of the two rivers, Taw and Torridge. The ‘Tarka Trail’ passes the entrance to Huxtable Farm B&B.

R F Delderfield’s ‘To Serve Them All My Days’  – First published in 1972, the book was adapted for television in 1980. Set between WW1 and WW2 the book is follows a young shell- shocked man’s life as a master at a remote Devon School. R. F. Delderfield’s time at West Buckland School served as an inspiration for ‘To serve them all my days’

Johnny Kingdom ‘A Wild Life on Exmoor’ A wildlife photographer specialising in his local area Exmoor & North Devon

R D Blackmore ‘Lorna Doone’ – A romance of Exmoor, based on a group of historical characters and set in the late 17th century in Devon and Somerset, particularly around the East Lyn Valley area of Exmoor

Books by North Devon Authors

Books by North Devon Authors

David Kennard ‘A Shepherd’s Watch’ – David Kennard lives a life most people can only dream about. Farming on a spectacularly beautiful part of the Devon coast he has an almost telepathic bond with nature and with his working sheepdogs.

Norma Huxtable ‘Positively The Last Word on Exmoor’ –  Norma Huxtable a farmer, landlady, writer, wit and all-round exposer of the social scene that makes Exmoor such a unique place to live

Veronica Henry ‘The Long Weekend’ , ‘A Night on the Orient Express’ and many more page turning romance novels. One of my favourite present day novelist.

Charles Kingsley – Westward Ho! (A north Devon seaside town near Bideford, with a large sandy beach & unique pebble ridge) – A novel was based on the adventures of Elizabethan corsair Amyas Preston who sets sail with Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and other privateers to the New World, where they battle with the Spanish.

Save the Date: 21st – 29th September 2018 for Appledore’s Book Festival – When you get a chance to meet some authors.

Which ever book you read today stay safe and warm

 

Snowdrops

February-Snowdrops and things to do this year

Bird box

Bird box

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)

 

The bird boxes are up around the farm again – Looking forward to house this year’s Spring birds.

 

Stream on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

Stream on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

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. Great to stop off at during a walk on Exmoor or after having done Huxtable Farm’s Wildlife Trail

Our flock of sheep are due to start lambing at the end of March and during April – Do come and enjoy this time of year with us.

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.

Owl box on Wildlife farm trail

Owl box on Wildlife farm trail

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 

Including some #Easter #Egg hunts to look forward to at all the attractions in the area;
April – RHS Rosemoor –  Easter Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt & Easter crafts.
Easter fun at National Trust Arlington Court & Cadburys Easter Eggs Hunt.
Quince Honey Farm, The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

 

 

Bo - Bottle fed tame lamb

Bottle fed tame lamb

snowdrops

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

Snowdrop bank at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

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