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.

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

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

Special Christmas Offer – FREE ‘Huxtable -The Story of a Devon Farm’ book for all Vouchers purchased as a Christmas Gift before 20/12/18

‘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 cowl Kits.
Please click here to see Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob Wool products

: Light colour Jacob wool, 50/50 Jacob/Mohair, natural colour. Type-Lace. Tension 22sts & 34rows=10cm. Knitting needles 2.75mm/US2. Length 290m. Weight 100gms. £10

: 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

: Hand knitted hat

: British Jacob sheep wool neck tie £15 each

: Jacob wool felted lavender bag – dark £9

: Jacob wool felted lavender bag – light £9

: British Jacob lambs wool fingerless gloves £15 a pair

: Huxtable Farm Jacob wool felted necklace £22

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

: Jacob wool hats

: Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit

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 by Jackie Payne £30

Daisies – Watercolour Mounted Print by Jackie Payne £30 (9″x13″)

Springer Spaniel – Print 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

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October – Half Term – Things to do

Apple Picking

Here at Huxtable Farm B&B, we are still busy picking apples so that we have plenty to serve as a compote at the breakfast table. Whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B you are very welcome to pick your own apples and do some fabulous fungi spotting, there have been some great varieties this year, here are a few photographs for you to enjoy.

Book your stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

: Fungi at Huxtable Farm B&B

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

Autumn leaves at North Devon B&B

Enjoy an autumnal walk from Huxtable Farm, through woodlands amongst the glorious golden colours of the tree canopy.

Taste delicious West Country Food at award winning eateries, local farmers markets and food festivals e.g. North Devon Food Fest 21st October

Have a Batty time, at National Trust Arlington Court, by following the spooky bat trail and finding out more about the bats that live at Arlington Court 20th -28th October 2018

Moon seen from Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

Gaze at the stars and moon on a clear, crisp night or during Exmoor Dark Skies Festival 20th October – 4th November

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’ Exmoor Rangers lead deer walks and there are a few 4X4 off road tour guides who will show you where to find the deer.

Don’t forget to click on this link to see what ‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm’

Pumpkin carving 26, 27 & 28th October at RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Ruth Bateman’s easel

New this October at Huxtable Farm – Three day painting expressive and experimental painting course at Huxtable Farm 23^rd, 24^th & 25^th October 2018 10am – 4pm with Ruth Bateman – Click here to find out the details

Bespoke art day with Ruth Bateman

Book your stay at Huxtable Farm B&B

Huxtable Farm, West Buckland, situated half way between Barnstaple & South Molton, near Exmoor National Park, Devon

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

Beautiful valley view through trees on Huxtable Farm Devon Wildlife Trail

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September – Things to do & Tour of Britain 2018

Tour of Britain North Devon

Tour of Britain 2018 – Travelled through North Devon on Monday 3rd September – The cyclist rode through a building (South Molton Pannier Market) for the first time in its 12 years , then on to Filleigh (3 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B), to Barnstaple then a circuit to Coombe Martin, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Croyde, Braunton and finishing in Barnstaple about 3.45pm, thrilling to see although all over in a few minutes!

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

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. – You are welcome to pick your own too and do some fungi spotting whilst staying at Huxtable Farm B&B!

The forbidden fruit – Apples, are well used in Devon to produce delicious apple juice and Devon Cider/Scrumpy! You can sample locally produced ‘Little Emlett Orchard’ apple juice at Huxtable Farms’ breakfast. One of Devon’s Cider makers is situated within 10 miles of Huxtable Farm; Hancocks Cider, Clapworthy Mill, established over 50 yrs ago uses 35 tons of Devon apples to produce about 5,000 gallons of Cider a year.

Autumn leaves at Huxtable Farm B&B North Devon

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 here to see what ‘Things you can do for free at Huxtable Farm’ or on the links below for; Events and things to do in North Devon during September:-

21st – 29th September Appledore Book Festival where you have a chance to meet authors such as Michael Palin, Michael Morpurgo (author of the ‘War Horse’) and Kate Mosse.

RHS Rosemoor Gardens – Has so many events during September including; 7th – 8th September – Autumn Design for Living weekend , 15 – 16th September – The Taste of Autumn Artisan Food Fair , 23 September – Autumn – Plant Fair. 28th – 30th September – Real Ale, Gin & Music Weekend.

South Molton Carnival 29th September

Art Trek 2018 – North Devon Open Studios 14th – 30th September. Huxtable Farm’s Jacob wool is part of this years Art Trek open to the public on the 15th, 16th, 18th, 25th, 29th & 30th September 11am – 4pm.

Art Trek North Devon 2018

Art Trek at Huxtable Farm

Art Trek tea & cakes

October dates for your diary; –

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival 20th October – 4th October

North Devon Food Fest 21st October

New this year at Huxtable Farm – Three day painting course with Ruth Bateman – 23, 24 & 25th October – Click here to find out the details

Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, situated half way between Barnstaple & South Molton, near Exmoor National Park, Devon

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August – Things to do in North Devon

Cards painted by Jackie

Although a bit of the shock to the system, the much need rain at the end of July will be great to get the grass growing again. and the sheep will be happy not be eating what looked & felt like crispy hay!

In the good weather I’ve been busy painting producung some cards and prints available to purchase, printed from some of my art work.

There’s so much to see and do in North Devon with so much going on during August, here’s a little sample of what’s happening;

Instow from Appledore

1st August North Devon Show

4th – 11th August Combe Martin Carnival week

5th August Appledore and Instow Regatta Day , a day of races and activities.

10th August World Championship Crabbing Contest on , starting at 5pm on Appledore Quay.

11th August; Lynmouth Raft Race, The Big Sheep BMX Day, Ilfracombe’s South West Birdman, where people jump of the pier in an attempt to fly in fun costumes

11th and 12th August Exmoor Zoo Bug Weekend – Get up close to some of England’s bugs

16th August Dartington Crystal, glassware company are having a gin event. They’ll be making their own crystal gin for one day only and are also offering free engraving when you buy a bottle of gin and a pair of gin glasses.

18th August the Pleasure Dome Theatre Company will be performing Lear at the Valley of Rocks near Lynton and Lynmouth

RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

18th August Clovelly’s Gig Regatta Day with live music and BBQ

17, 18 & 19th August RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

18th – 19th August Bubblicious Bubble Weekend at The Big Sheep, where you can make some gigantic bubbles 🙂

19th August Appledore Carnival

23rd – 25th August at the Landmark Theatre Ilfracombe Beer Festival

25th August the Grand Tour MINI Run at The Big Sheep

National Trust Arlington Court

26th August Marshall from Paw Patrol will be at The Big Sheep

26th August Ilfracombe Carnival

27th August. Watch the end of the annual MINI Madness Grand Tour in Ilfracombe

31st August Alice’s adventures in Wonderland at National Trust Arlington Court

Throughout August Quince Honey Farm will be hosting live beekeeping demonstrations and RHS Garden Rosemoor are holding a Jurassic Discovery Garden Trail

Not forgetting that there are so many Free things to do at Huxtable Farm B&B

and beautiful North Devon places to visit;

Valley of the Rocks near Lynton and Lynmouth

Watersmeet Exmoor

National Trust Arlington Court

Baggy Point Cafe Sandleigh

September & October at Huxtable Farm ;

New this year at Huxtable Farm – Three day painting course with Ruth Bateman – 23, 24 & 25th October – Click here to find out the details

Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, North Devon, England

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July – Fruit, butterflies & Things to do in North Devon

Butterfly-tortoiseshell

Butterfly Peacock

Butterfly Green Veined White

Butterfly Meadow Brown

Butterfly

Speckled wood Butterfly

The warm sunny weather this summer has been great for the butterflies

Shorn Jacob sheep

Fruit; Raspberries, Gooseberries and Logenberries

The ewes are pleased to have been shorn on the 2/7/18 and we now have Jacob fleeces available to purchase for spinning or felting. We also have some brown fleeces, a perfect natural material for when the weather gets colder and your plants e.g. Dalia’s need some protection from the frost.

Fruit picking is going well; the redcurrants are now Redcurrant Jelly, delicious with our Huxtable Farm Jacob Lamb. The gooseberries ‘Elderflower & Gooseberry Jam’ to have at the breakfast table with a warm croissant or some toasted homemade bread. The raspberries and loganberries as fresh fruit for breakfast.

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival

Things to do/Events this July;

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival has 2000 roses on display now 16th June – 22nd July – The largest rose gardens in the South West.

RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

17, 18 & 19th August RHS Rosemoor Flower Show

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

National Trust Arlington Court – What’s on in July

Things to do for free at Huxtable Farm B&B

Tiverton Mid Devon Show 28th July

North Devon Show 1st August

Visit & see beautiful North Devon places;

National Trust Baggy Point near Croyde beach

Exmoor ponies near Landacre Bridge Exmoor

Tarr Steps Exmoor

Fly catcher on nest

Or stay at Huxtable Farm and enjoy the wildlife, such as these two very different fly catchers!

Cobwebs

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

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July – Fruit picking and things to do

Butterflies & grasshopper at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon/Exmoor

The beautiful weather through out May and July has been lovely for the butterflies, grasshopper and insects around the farm but the sheep are looking forward to getting shorn on the 1st July –

The ‘King’ sheep at Huxtable Farm B&B

Some sheep decided to shed their fleece already and who blames them, this Jacob obviously is keen to be the ‘King’ of the flock keeping it’s mane 🙂

Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam

Fruit picking has started – Gooseberry’s, redcurrants and the raspberries will be ready soon.

Fresh home-grown fruit for the breakfast table and homemade jams – ‘Elderflower & Gooseberry’ is a favourite jam with many to have on Huxtable Farm’s home baked granary toast or croissant.

Things to do/Events this July;

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival has 2000 roses on display now 16th June – 22nd July – The largest rose gardens in the South West.

Clovelly Maritime Festival 14th July

National Trust Arlington Court – What’s on in July

Things to do for free at Huxtable Farm B&B

Tiverton Mid Devon Show 28th July

North Devon Show 1st August

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June – North Devon Events & Water colour cards

June 2nd & 3rd – Devon D-Day Saunton Sands Beach – 75th Anniversary – Historic vehicles and re-enactments, live music – 40’s disco, bar tent, picnic on the beach, Military Wives Choir & Spitfire fly past.

June 2nd & 3rd – South Molton Vintage Rally, Steam engines, vintage cars, motorbikes, military vehicle and much more…. Comsland Cross EX36 3NW

June 3rd and 10th – Bratton Down Point to Point Races

June 7th – 10th – South Molton Olde English Fayre

June 15th – 17th – Gold Coast Oceanfest, Croyde, Headliners – Jess Glynne, Razorlight, Chase and Status, Toploader.

June 23rd – Ilfracombe Gig Regatta

June 16th – 22nd July – RHS Garden Rosemoor – Rose Festival

Water colour painting print Cards by Jackie

Now available at Huxtable Farm B&B – Cards – Water colour painting prints by Jackie

The wildlife on the farm are busy; The Tawny Owl chicks have left their box, the Blue tit is busy feeding it’s chicks, bees are collecting nectar and mother Roe deer has two fawns in the woodland (haven’t be able to photograph they’re so quick off the mark!) Do come enjoy Huxtable Farm’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail around the farm.

Blue tit feeding

Tawny owl in owl box

Bee in Wisteria

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New Video of Huxtable Farm B&B Accommodation Devon/Exmoor

We are please to share with you our new video of Huxtable Farm B&B Accommodation courtesy of Ryan Hallett

More videos of Huxtable Farm, it’s wildlife and what you can do whilst staying in North Devon near Exmoor National park can also be viewed on the website’s Video Tour page

Enjoy 🙂

Huxtable Farm B&B Accommodation, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon near Exmoor National Park and historic market town South Molton, Castle Hill Gardens Filleigh

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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

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

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

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

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Lambing and Easter chicks

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.