Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple Devon, has a new sign at it’s entrance, thanks to our son Nigel Payne who is a Graphic Designer.
Spring is in the air – Catkins, frogs spawn
Frog spawn in Huxtable Farm B&B’s pond
The wildlife at Huxtable Farm is starting to feel like spring is in the air;
The frogs have been busy laying their spawn in the pond and having seen a beautiful photograph of the delicate little flowers of the Hazel tree at the 2016 Wildlife Photographer of the year I have been keen to photograph the lovely delicate spider like flowers myself here on Huxtable Farm B&B’s Devon Wildlife Trail.
Hazel tee flowers and catkins
Broody hens are sitting on their eggs too!
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 30th March 2017.
Otherwise, please have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2017 by looking at Huxtable Farm B&B’s local Events/Farm Calendar
Watch North Devon on catch up TV
Our beautiful area of North Devon has had some great TV coverage this month, put them on your list of places to visit when you stay with us.
Robson Green visiting The Tunnels Beaches at Ilfracombe, the historic harbour Clovelly and beautiful Lundy Island situated 11 miles off the North Devon Coast. Catch up on ITV hub -Tales from the Coast with Robson Green Series 1 Episode 1
Julia Bradbury walking Lynton/Lynmouth to Watersmeet. Britain’s Best Walks with Julia Bradbury Series 2 Episode 5
Both are programmes illustrate how stunning and how much North Devon has to offer, all within easy access of Huxtable Farm B&B
Huxtable Farm B&B is situated on the Tarka Trail and Macmillan Way West, a days walk from Barnstaple and two days walk to Lynton/Lynmouth, stopping over night at Challacombe. With walks from it’s doorstep including it’s own Devon Wildlife Farm Trail this is a an ideal hideaway for those wishing to do some Walking in North Devon
First flurry of snow! Lambing to commence about April fools day 2017
Snow on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail & Farm B&B North Devon
Jacob ram at Barnstaple B&B
November 18th 2016 we have our first flurry of snow making us feel a little Christmassy!
Also, the rams have been with the ewes since the 1st November so the ewes should start lambing round about April Fools day in 2017 for the month of April.
If you’re looking for some beautiful unique Jacob wool gifts for Christmas we have some beautiful, throws, cushions, scarves and other products made from Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob wool, click here to see what’s available.
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Written by Jackie Payne
Things to do in September
September – Harvest time – Blackberries, hazelnuts and apples
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.
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 was established over 50 yrs ago and 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.
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 to see what ‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm’ or to find out what’s going on in the local area throughout the year please click here and within the next few weeks click on the following links;
RHS Rosemoor Craft, Food & Art Weekends 2-4, 10-11, 17-18th September
RHS Rosemoor ‘The Artists’ Garden Art Exhibition 2nd – 18th September
Clovelly Lobster & Crab Feast 4th September
National Trust Arlington Court Autumnal Woollen Woods display 27th August – 30th October
Barnstaple Fair 14th – 17th September and Barnstaple Carnival 17th September
South Molton Carnival 24th September
Appledore Book Festival 23rd September – 2nd October
Devon Artists Network Open Studios 10 – 25th September
Click to see what ‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm’ or to find out what’s going on in the local area throughout the year please click here and within the next few weeks click on the following links;
August – Insects and wild flower meadows
Bees visiting wild flowers at Devon farm B&B
The insects are enjoying the August sunshine, busy visiting the meadow wild flowers at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon near Exmoor.
Bella enjoying the long meadow grass
Bella, the springer spaniel is also enjoying racing through the long meadow grass.
A variety of wildlife at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon
The variety of wildlife is beautiful, from fungi to dragonflies
Events to look forward to in the area;
Woollen Woods at National Trust Arlington Court 27th August – 30th October.
North Devon Art Trek 10 – 25th September
Hidden Dunster Guided walk 14th September & other Exmoor National Park Events
Exmoors Bats at Simonsbath 17th September
Appledore book festival 23rd September – 2nd October
August – Foraging wild food for free!
Foraging at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon, near Exmoor
Foraging blackberries, elderberries, hazelnuts, wild mushrooms & apples to name a few of the wonderful foods we can gather at this time of year from the hedges and around the fields at Huxtable Farm B&B.
Foraging at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon, near Exmoor
A wide variety of moths and butterflies visiting the farm can also be seen during August in addition to seeing bats fly around the courtyard at dusk.
Click to see what ‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm’ or to find out what’s going on in the local area within the next few weeks please click here and on the following links;
RHS Rosemoor Gardens – Rocket Science
National Trust Arlington Court – Summer family fun
The Big Sheep – See Peppa Pig
We all look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm and Bella, the springer spaniel to showing you around ‘Huxtable Farm’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail’
June – Roses, elderflowers, gooseberries and shearing!
Shearing the Jacob sheep in June
June is such a busy time on the farm, so much so that I’ve only just round to writing this blog on the longest day of the year when we’re due to see a strawberry moon!
The rhubarb, gooseberries & elderflowers are lovely this year so there’s plenty of fresh produce for the breakfast table; honeyed rhubarb and homemade gooseberry & elderflower jam which is a favourite with everyone.
– The Jacob sheep seem pleased in this warm weather to have been shorn at the beginning of June and we now have lots of beautifully soft Jacob & Jacob cross Texel fleeces for spinners & felters to purchase.
– The birds are busy feeding their young and the Swallows and House Martins are soaring over the roofs & making their muddy nests in the eaves of the farm buildings.
Beautiful roses – RHS Rosemoor
– The Lupins and Roses are full of colour, which reminds me to visit RHS Rosemoor soon to see their beautiful rose gardens during their Rose Festival June 6 – 10th 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 24th 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
With Wimbledon & July approaching fast here’s a few things that are taking place over the next few weeks: –
What’s on at RHS Rosemoor – Rose Festival June 6 – 10th July
National Trust Arlington Court – Art displays during July
Getting active during your stay in North Devon
Beaches of North Devon
April; Lambs, spring flowers and woodland walks
April; Lambs, spring flower – primroses and daffodils. Woodland walks
The last of the pregnant ewes has had her lambs, so we now have a beautiful flock of Jacobs with lambs gambling in the spring sunshine.
The frog tadpoles have hatched and the toads are starting to lay their strings of eggs spawn in the pond.
The Spring flowers are brightening up the garden and farm; dwarf daffodils, primroses (Devon’s county flower) and even the odd bluebell is starting to come out!
Bella, the springer spaniel is happy to show you the way on your walk
Enjoy the farm Devon wildlife trail, taking you for a walk through the woodland, fields and next to the pond and stream.
It’s such a beautiful time of year made even more special by the clear starry nights we experience as Huxtable Farm is situated within Exmoor’s Dark Sky Reserve. At night time you may even hear the Tawny owls calling and see a bat or two flying in the courtyard.
We look forward to seeing you soon to share in some of nature’s delights, click on the following link to view Video’s of Huxtable Farm B&B and its Devon farm wildlife.
April events in the area please click on the links for more details;
15th April National Open Gardens Day RHS Rosemoor (Free entry)
17th & 24th April Hartland Abbey Bluebell Days
1st – 3rd April Spring Quilt Festival Westpoint Exeter
30th April – 7th May North Devon & Exmoor Walking Festival
What’s on at North Devon Theatres
Until the 10th April National Trust Arlington Court – Daffodil trail
Easter fun for the first week in April at
March – Lambs, daffodils, primroses, daffodils and Easter chicks
March – Lambs, primroses, daffodils and Easter chicks
The snowdrops have lasted well this year and the spring garden is starting to get some colour with bright sunshine yellow daffodils and primroses (Devon’s County Flower), blue grape hyacinths and beautiful pink camellias.
I love this time of year; the birds are singing, first Jacob lambs have been born so #lambing has started and #chicks are due to hatch at #Easter.
With Mother’s Day (6th March) and Easter (27th March) 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!
Other events this March in the area include;
RHS Rosemoor Spring Flower Show (12th -13th March)
Enjoy the Spring Daffodil Trail at Arlington Court until the 29th March – 10th April
April at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon, Exmoor near Barnstaple and South Molton March at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon, Exmoor near Barnstaple and South Molton
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Written by Jackie Payne