Winter Wildlife on Exmoor & North Devon 2020

woodpecker

Winter is a special time to see a wide variety of Devon Wildlife from Exmoor Red Deer and the iconic Exmoor ponies in their fluffy winter coats to otters and dolphins in the rivers and sea respectively. Spotting wildlife on the farm during February and March is great too; – The trees don’t have their leaves yet so you can spot the Roe deer and Exmoor Red deer in the woodland, brown hares in the grassy verges, hear the spot lesser spotted woodpeckers and see buzzards soaring over head.

February is a fabulous 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 Wheddon Cross open to the public until 23rd Feb 2020)

Breakfast next to a crackling log fire in the morning

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 after taking Bella, the Springer Spaniel, for a farm walk or having fed the sheep.

Our small flock of Jacob sheep are due to produce lambs at the end of March and during 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.

Cuddling Jacob sheep lamb at lambing time

During April, leading up to Easter, 12th April some of the local attractions have #Easter #Egg hunts and Easter events to enjoy; April – Easter fun at RHS Rosemoor and National Trust Arlington Court
#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, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

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 31st March.

Please also 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

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Tame orphan Romney lamb cuddle

A few wildlife videos to enjoy

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Photography and painting on holiday!

January is the time of year for me to concentrate on doing some of the other things I enjoy doing – painting, photography and use our Jacob sheep’s wool.

Water colour painting house 1

Water colour painting house 2

If you are a photographer or artist you are welcome to practice your skills whilst on holiday at Huxtable Farm B&B whilst staying here, find a quiet area on the farm and experiment – woodland, pond, stream with waterfall, a variety of wildlife, pasture with sheep, hens and panoramic views of Devon, including a picturesque valley! Check out available B&B dates here

Availability

Please click on this link (2020 events dates) for some events to look forward to whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B and here for things you can do for free such as ;- Witness our small flock of Jacob ewes lambing during the weeks of April. Easter is on the 12th April; look forward to Easter Egg hunts at all the attractions in the area; Quince Honey Farm opening in April at it’s new larger site, The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!
Other dates to remember: 22nd March Mother Day, 12th April Easter Day & Bank Holidays 8th & 25th May. 21st June – Fathers Day and Summer Bank Holiday 31st August.
Already the snowdrops are emerging and a few primroses, Devon’s flower, are bringing some colour to this cooler month.

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SR

Valley view through trees on Huxtable Farm Devon Wildlife Trail, now that our neighbour has felled a woodland area

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Happy New Year – Welcome to 2020

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2020 from all at Huxtable Farm B&B, we look forward to welcoming you in 2020 🙂

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Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Photos

Please click on this link (2020 events dates) for some events to look forward to whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B and here for things you can do for free

Such as ;- Witness our small flock of Jacob ewes lambing during the weeks of April. Easter is on the 12th April; to look forward to Easter Egg hunts 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 dates to remember: 22nd March Mother Day, 12th April Easter Day & Bank Holidays 8th & 25th May. 21st June – Fathers Day and Summer Bank Holiday 26th August.

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SR

Our Springer looks forward to showing you around the farm 🙂

A taster of Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, near Barnstaple/Exmoor/SouthMolton, North Devon

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Happy Christmas from all at Huxtable Farm B&B

Happy Christmas from all at Huxtable Farm West Buckland, Devon, Exmoor

Happy Christmas from all at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Devon, Exmoor

National Trust Knightshayes Court at Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas from Huxtable Farm B&B Accommodation.
We look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm B&B in 2020.
Please click here to see what’s on in 2020
May all your wishes come true XXX

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

Book – ‘Huxtable – The story of a Devon Farm’

Huxtable Farm B&B Vouchers

Gift Vouchers to stay at Huxtable Farm B&B, from £50, please e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or telephone 01598 760254 to find out more.

‘Huxtable -The Story of a Devon Farm’ book £7.50 per copy plus £3.50 postage & packing within the UK

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Medieval Farmhouse and converted barns, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon. Situated near Filleigh, South Molton and Exmoor National Park on the Tarka Trail, an ideal base for visiting North Devon’s Gardens; RHS Rosemoor, Castle Hill, Marwood Hill and National Trust Arlington Court.

Christmas dining room at Huxtable Farm B&B , Devon

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December – Christmas Gift Ideas

Eco Friendly Christmas Wrapping Paper

I’ve been having fun doing potato printing on recycled paper to make some recyclable Christmas wrapping paper

At Huxtable Farm B&B we have lots of lovely unique gifts available for you at Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast in Devon near Exmoor National Park.

Huxtable Farm B&B Voucher

Gift Vouchers to stay at Huxtable Farm B&B, from £50, please e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or telephone 01598 760254 to find out more.

Check Availability

Book – ‘Huxtable – The story of a Devon Farm’

‘Huxtable -The Story of a Devon Farm’ book £7.50 per copy plus £3.50 postage & packing within the UK

Unique Christmas or wool (7th) Anniversary gifts;- Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob Wool products made from the wool of our Jacob sheep;
100% wool throws, cushions, scarves, hand knitted hats and cowls.
For those who love to knit, crochet, spin, felt and craft with wool;
100gm balls of Jacob sheep wool in three different colours, grey, cream & dark brown.
Brown washed and carded fleece.
Knitting kits – Scarf and wrist warmers Kits or beautiful Lace Cowl Kits.
Please click here to see Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob Wool products

: Dark colour Jacob X Texel/Alpaca, natural colour wool. Type-DK. Tension 20sts & 28rows=10cm. Knitting needles 3.75mm/US5. Length 250m. Weight 100gms. £10

: 100gms Jacob lambs wool £10 each ball

: 100% Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throw (140cm x 180cm) £130

: Beginners Rib pattern wrist warmers & scarf Knitting Kit £13.95 (includes everything you need, 100gm Huxtable Farm Jacob wool ball, needles, pattern & buttons)

: Cable pattern wrist warmers & scarf Knitting Kit £13.95 (includes everything you need, 100gm Huxtable Farm Jacob wool ball, needles & pattern)

: 100% Huxtable farm Jacob wool scarf – dark £24

: 100% Huxtable Farm Jacob wool scarf – Light £24

: 100% Huxtable Farm Jacob wool fringe cushion – Dark £30

: Jacob washed and carded fleece ideal for spinning or felting 100gms £5

: Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit

: Jacob wool hats

All items are subject to additional postage & packing within the UK only, please Tel; 01598 760254 or e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Cards and mounted prints of
watercolour paintings by Jackie Payne

Huxtable Farm B&B Cards £2 each or all 6 for £11

Wild Flower Meadow Watercolour Mounted Print (not framed) by Jackie Payne £30

Daisies - Watercolour Mounted Print by Jackie Payne £30 (9"x13")

Daisies – Watercolour Mounted Print (not framed) by Jackie Payne £30 (9″x13″)

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

Springer Spaniel – Mounted print (not framed) of acrylic painting by Jackie Payne £30 (8.25″X11″)

Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast in Devon near Exmoor National Park, situated near the village of West Buckland, halfway between the historic market towns of Barnstaple and South Molton and an ideal base for exploring North Devon’s beautiful gardens; Castle Hill Gardens, RHS Rosemoor, Marwood Hill and National Trust Arlington Court

Our daughter produces some beautiful mono leaf prints and runs print workshops, using leaves from the farm, do have a look at her website Print Nineteen

Print Nineteen

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Visit England Rose Award

Huxtable Farm B&B Visit England Rose Award

We’re proud to announce that Huxtable Farm B&B has been awarded the Visit England Rose Award.

The Rose Award recognises accommodation providers across England who provide outstanding customer service for their customers. The 100 ROSE Award recipients are nominated by the VisitEngland quality scheme assessors and are selected from assessor comments along with online feedback from visitors.

The awards showcase England’s variety of high quality accommodation where owners and employees go the extra mile to make their customers’ visits extra special and cover all types of accommodation from hostels to hotels, self-catering to parks & campsites and from glamping sites to Bed & Breakfast (B&Bs) & guest houses, irrespective of star rating.

During the Autumn & Winter months we are busy selling logs and taking bookings for 2020 NOW
Availability

A bit like ‘Where’s Wally?- Can you spot me?

Huxtable Farm B&B Rose Award

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October – Events in North Devon & Exmoor

Autumn conkers at North Devon B&B

There is still so much to do in North Devon & Exmoor during October;

Enjoy autumnal walks, through woodlands amongst the glorious golden colours of the tree canopies of Exmoor or at one of the many beautiful gardens of North Devon.

Taste delicious West Country Food at award winning eateries, local farmers markets and food festivals e.g. North Devon Food Fest 20th October

Autumn leaves at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

Have a Pumpkin time, at National Trust Arlington Court, by following the Pumpkin Trail and finding out more about the bats that live at Arlington Court 19th -27th October 2019

Pumpkin carving & Hocus Pocus Halloween Event 24th – 27th October at RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Hunt for Exmoor Red Deer (with your eyes & camera) during the rutting season (October) when Stags give their location away when they ‘roar’ also know as ‘bolving’.

Moon seen from Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

Gaze at the stars and moon on a clear, crisp night or during Exmoor Dark Skies Festival 14th October – 3th November

North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Events page for October

Now that autumn has definitely arrived, we are busy selling logs and taking bookings for 2020 NOW

Availability

We thrilled to announce the safe arrival of our fifth beautiful granddaughter too!

This video of this year tame lambs, now 6mths old, makes me smile every time I watch it – Turn your volume up and ENJOY 🙂

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September – Things to see & do in North Devon

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Here at Huxtable Farm B&B, we are busy picking apples and blackberries to make a delicious compote to serve at the breakfast table. Whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B you are very welcome to pick some apples and blackberries to take home and do some fabulous fungi spotting around the farm.

Book your stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

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

Enjoy an autumnal walk 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

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

20 – 28th September: – Appledore Book Festival – A chance to meet your favourite author! Here at Huxtable Farm B&B 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!

13 – 29th September:- Art Trek North Devon – Local artists open their studio’s for you to visit to see what they do.

To celebrate for start of 2019 Rugby World Cup, a record breaking Rugby Ball is being made by Aramis arriving in South Molton Town (6 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B) on the 15th September, where there will be lots of entertainment

September is Carnival time ;

21st September Barnstaple Carnival & Fair.

28th September South Molton Carnival

We look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon with a delicious Cream Tea in the afternoon.

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

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August/September – Things to see & do in North Devon

Guinea Fowl

The Guinea Fowl, love wondering around the garden and farm at this time of year pecking at the grass seed, they’re very entertaining to watch!

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

Otherwise there is so much to see & do in North Devon, here are a few ideas; –

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.

Book your stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

Valley of the Rocks, near Lynton

20th – 31st August the Pleasure Dome Open Air Theatre Company will be performing ‘Lorna Doone’, at The Valley of Rocks near Lynton and Lynmouth, celebrating 150th Anniversary of Lorna Doone written by R.D Blackmore.

24th August the Grand Tour MINI Run at The Big Sheep

20th & 27th August Creative Crafts at National Trust Arlington Court

Sunflowers

24 -26th August Quince Honey Farm Sunflower Festival

Now until – 1st September Family Fun Garden Adventures with the Very Hungary Caterpillar at RHS Rosemoor

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 you will be spoilt for choice

Dartington Crystal, glassware company great to visit any time of year, watch the glass blowers & have a go at painting glass.

What’s happening in September!

Books by North Devon Authors

13 – 29th September:- Art Trek North Devon – Local artists open their studio’s for you to visit to see what they do.

September is Carnival time ;

21st September Barnstaple Carnival & Fair.

28th September South Molton Carnival

We look forward to welcoming you to Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon with a delicious Cream Tea in the afternoon.

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

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August – Things to do in North Devon & Exmoor

Tame lambs 3mths

The tame lambs are 3 mths now and how fast they have grown, enjoying their creep feed each morning and grazing on the grass.

Campers in a Teepee

There’s so much to see and do in North Devon & Exmoor during August, whist staying at Huxtable Farm B&B, near Barnstaple, either in the farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation or camping. Here’s a little sample of what’s happening in the area;

7th August North Devon Show

4th – 11th August Combe Martin Carnival week

Exmoor Zoo Meerkats

11th August Appledore and Instow Regatta Day , a day of races and activities.

10th and 11th August Exmoor Zoo Metamorphosis (specialist bug exhibitor)

Dartington Crystal, glassware company great to visit any time of year, watch the glass blowers & have a go at painting glass.

20th – 31st August the Pleasure Dome Open Air Theatre Company will be performing ‘Lorna Doone’, at The Valley of Rocks near Lynton and Lynmouth, celebrating 150th Anniversary of Lorna Doone.

RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

3rd & 4th August Clovelly Lifeboat Weekend & Maritime Festival, in aid of the R.N.L.I.

17, 18 & 19th August RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

18th August Appledore Carnival

24th August the Grand Tour MINI Run at The Big Sheep

6th, 13th, 20th & 27th August Creative Crafts at National Trust Arlington Court

Marwood Hill Gardens

24 -26th August Quince Honey Farm Sunflower Festival

20th July – 1st September Family Fun Garden Adventures with the Very Hungary Caterpillar at RHS Rosemoor

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 you will be spoilt for choice