Eco Friendly Christmas Wrapping Paper

December – Christmas Gift Ideas

Eco Friendly Christmas Wrapping Paper

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

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

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

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 Water Colour Cards

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

Wild Flower Meadow Water Colour Print

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

Print Nineteen

 

 

Devon B&B Rose Award

Visit England Rose Award

Devon B&B 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?

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

Huxtable Farm B&B Rose Award

Huxtable Farm B&B Rose Award

 

 

Pumpkins

October – Events in North Devon & Exmoor

Autumn conkers, North Devon

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

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

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 🙂

Harvesting Blackberries

September – Things to see & do in North Devon

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

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

A variety of fungi in the woodland at B&B near BarnstapleEnjoy 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

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

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

Fish for frogs in the pond

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

Guinea Fowl

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

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

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

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.

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

Devon-Cream-Tea-welcome on arrival

Fish for frogs in the pond

August – Things to do in North Devon & Exmoor

 

Tame lambs 3mths

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

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

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

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

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

Fly a kite as high as you can!

Fly a kite as high as you can!

 

Not forgetting that there are so many Free things to do at Huxtable Farm B&B and beautiful North Devon places to visit; Beaches ,  Historic Houses & North Devon Heritage sites and family fun things to do

Looking forward to September;

20 – 28th September: – Appledore Book Festival – A chance to meet your favourite author!

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

Spot the young buzzard in its nest in the woodland

Spot the young buzzard in its nest in the woodland

Forage for Hazelnuts

Forage for Hazelnuts

Relax in the hammock

Relax in the hammock

Statue of Dr Smart at Marwood Hill Gardens

Statue of Dr Smart at Marwood Hill Gardens

 

July, things to do in Devon

Orphan tame lambs

Orphan tame lambs

 

The orphan tame lambs have just been weaned off their bottles of milk, enjoying the grass especially if it’s on the other side of the fence!

rhubarb, gooseberries and redcuurants

rhubarb, gooseberries and redcurrants

 

 

 

Picking has started in the fruit garden  – Gooseberry’s, redcurrants, rhubarb and the raspberries will be ready soon.

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

Things to do/Events this July;

Relax in Huxtable Farm B&B's garden

Relax in Huxtable Farm B&B’s garden

Enjoy sitting the garden at Huxtable Farm or walk the farm’s Devon Wildlife Farm Trail

June 15th – 21st July – RHS Garden Rosemoor – Rose Festival – The largest rose gardens in the South West.

29th July Woolsery Agricultural Show, near Clovelly

National Trust Arlington Court – What’s on in July

Things to do for free at Huxtable Farm B&B

27th July Tiverton Mid Devon Show

7th August North Devon Show

There are so many beautiful gardens to visit in North Devon; Castle Hill only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, 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 Rose Festival July

Coombe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, a zoo with a difference !

Coombe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, a zoo with a difference !

Tiverton Canal Barge Ride

Tiverton Canal Barge Ride

A few photographs taken a round the farm recently for you to ENJOY 🙂

Woodpecker meets Owl !

Woodpecker meets Owl !

Shorn Jacob sheep

Shorn Jacob sheep

Lily in the Devon Wildlife Pond

Lily in the Devon Wildlife Pond

Damselfly

Damselfly

Fly Catcher on Nest

Fly Catcher on Nest 

Time to sit back and watch the world go by !

Time to sit back and watch the world go by !

 

 

 

 

Wild Bluebells

May Bank Holiday – Bluebell walks, Gardens to visit, Devon County Show and more..

With two Bank Holidays in May, longer warmer days, there’s so much to see & do in North Devon. The woodland has fresh new leaves, the swallows are back and the bluebells are looking glorious–

Tame lamb cuddle

Tame lamb cuddle

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

Lambing has been good and the lambs are growing well in the fields and we have a couple of tame orphan lambs who enjoy being fed a bottle and having a cuddle.

We’ve just enjoyed this years first crop of rhubarb at breakfast. 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 – The Macmillan Way West and Tarka Trail, both passing the entrance to Huxtable Farm B&B so we get quite a few staying over night and 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 varied habitats; woodland, pasture, pond, bracken slope and hedges. To make it even more interesting we also have a ‘Treasure Trail’ for you to enjoy!

Events taking place during May;

The Devon County Show, takes place this month on the 16th, 17th & 18th 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 Plant Fair 11 – 12th May

National Garden Week 29th April – 3rd May

Point to point horse racing

Point to point horse racing, North Devon

19th May 9th June 2019 – Point to Point at Bratton Down.

Bee Keeping experience days at Quince Honey Farm 16th & 18th May

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 26th May 2019 : Promoting seaweed for its immense health & nutritional benefits and in aid of North Devon Hospice

or just come and enjoy panoramic views at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon

Flower Pots at Huxtable Farm B&B

Flower Pots at Huxtable Farm B&B

Hare in grass at Huxtable Farm B&B

March – Hares, Pancake Day & Mothers Day

Bottle feeding Leveret

Bottle feeding Leveret

Brown Hare: – Known as the fastest mammal in the UK, the Brown Hare is capable of reaching speeds up to 45-50mph (72kph), making them able to outrun a predator. Often associated with magic because they are very elusive, disappearing quickly out of sight if spotted. 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.

Leveret

Leveret

Sadly, last Autumn scientists declared that myxomatosis may have spread from rabbits to hares and could wipe out Britain’s brown hares

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to hand rear a leveret and when it was almost fully grown released it in our woodland. When ever I see a hare in March I often wonder if it’s the one I so lucky to have reared.

Pancakes for breakfast

Pancakes for breakfast

Pancake Day/Shove Tuesday, the day before fasting period of Lent leading up to Easter is on the 5th March 2019. Will you be eating pancakes if yes how do you like yours? I like mine with lemon & sugar, sweet & sour.

It’s Mother’s Day on the 31st 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.

Cards painted by Jackie

Cards painted by Jackie

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 31st March 2019.

Please also have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2019 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

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

Exmoor Red Deer in the woods

February – Snowdrops & things to do this Spring in North Devon

Exmoor pony foal in fluffy winter coat

Exmoor pony foal in fluffy winter coat

Hare in grass at Huxtable Farm B&B

Hare in grass at Huxtable Farm B&B

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 & spot lesser spotted woodpeckers and see buzzards and more recently Kites soaring over head.

woodpecker

woodpecker

 

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 2nd Feb – 3rd March 2019)

Throws by the fire

Throws by the fire

 

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.

During February 2019 a range of restaurants on and around Exmoor will be offering outstanding food at an affordable price as part of the Exmoor Food Fest. Customers will be able to eat their way across Exmoor from £10.00 per meal Click on the following link to find out the participating Exmoor Food Fest Restaurants   #ExFF19

Bo - Bottle fed tame lamb

Bo – Bottle fed tame lamb

Our small flock of Jacob sheep are due to produce lambs 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.

During April, leading up to Easter, 21st 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 & 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!

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 31st March 2019.

Please also have a look at the fantastic variety of events due to take place in North Devon during 2019 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

A few wildlife videos to enjoy