June & July – Gardens to visit, fruit to pick & wool to sort!

During June, the sheep get shorn and we start to pick fruit & make homemade jam.

Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam

Elderflower & Gooseberry jam is first, followed by redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant, loganberry and raspberry jams. Not all the fruit is made into jam, to have on your warm buttered toast or croissant, some is served fresh and/or as a compote to add to yogurt, at breakfast time.

June and July are great months to visit the beautiful gardens of North Devon to see what they do with their fruit or enjoy their summer plants; Castle Hill Gardens are only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow, National Trust Arlington Court 12 miles away and RHS Rosemoor to the south at Torrington with its Festival of Roses 18th June to 17th July

Shearing Jacob

During June, the sheep are shorn and the fleeces are sold to spinners & weavers but I always keep one to spin my own wool too. Please do look at what else is available to purchase made from the wool of our Jacob sheep. In addition to Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, knitted hats and toys, we also have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase too, please do have a look at some of them here – Gifts from Huxtable Farm.

To celebrate Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old we are giving everyone who stays at Huxtable Farm a free copy of our book ‘Huxtable The Story of a Devon Farm’. Do check availability for when you can stay either in the B&B rooms or camping on one of our three secluded pitches, each with thier own wash room;-

B&B availability

Camping availability

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April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

Ewe with lambs smelling the daffodils

Spring – I just love this time of year on the farm – The greenhouse is full of sown seed trays, the garden is full of Spring bulbs with lots of bright, vibrant colours and the trees are starting to produce fresh green leaves and beautiful blossom, all fabulous for bees and other insects.

The ewes have finished lambing and looking after their lambs well. The lambs are a joy to watch gambling in the evening sun.

Broody hen sitting on eggs

A broody hen is sitting on some eggs, which, finger crossed she should hatch Easter weekend, so that we have some Easter chicks. There’s always an Easter egg hunt here at the farm and at so many other locations around North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor 9^th – 24^th April, Hartland Abbey & Gardens 17^th & 18^th April, Clovelly 4^th – 18^Th April.

Now that we are into British summer time the evenings are lighter, we’ve even had our first Barbeque, have you yet?

Castle Hill Filleigh

This is the time of year to visit Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, just 2 miles down the road. Castle Hill Gardens is beautiful in Spring, with its magnolias, camilias, spring bulbs, babbling streams, folly’s and ground carpeted in primroses, Devons County flower.

Bookings for the B&B and camping pitches are coming in as visitors are making sure they get the room and or camping pitch they want, especially for the summer months. I look forward to hearing from you too.

Check available B&B dates at Huxtable Farm B&B and available Camping Pitches (Only three exclusive pitches each with their own wash room)

B&B availability

Camping availability

Wishing you a very happy & healthy Easter from all at Huxtable Farm

Children Easter Egg Hunt

Chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

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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

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

Forage for Hazelnuts

Relax in the hammock

Statue of Dr Smart at Marwood Hill Gardens

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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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Rose Festival time

The ‘Rose’ is ‘Gardeners’ World Golden Jubilee Plant’ – An easy choice!

Not only is there a great variety, they are beautiful, many have delicious scents and are used to celebrate lots of occasions.

RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival has 2000 roses on display now 17th June – 30th July – The largest rose gardens in the South West. Pick up your free Rose Trail Garden Map when you get there.

Here are a few of the roses (two are not rose flowers can you spot them?) found at Huxtable Farm B&B, situated between Barnstaple & South Molton, near West Buckland, Devon, offering quality farmhouse B&B accommodation, within half an hours drive to RHS Rosemoor and a variety of beautiful North Devon Gardens.

Roses

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June – Elderflower & Gooseberry Jam, Roses & Cream Teas

Lupins and Roses at Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon, Barnstaple

June – With the longest day of the year approaching (21st June) with bright fresh morning and balmy evenings, we’re grateful for the long days as there is so much to do on the farm at this time of year, from making hay & silage for winter feed, cutting the lawns & weeding the garden to picking fruit.

The rhubarb, gooseberries & elderflowers are lovely this year giving us plenty of fresh produce for the breakfast table; honeyed rhubarb and homemade gooseberry & elderflower jam (a favourite with everyone).

– The Lupins and Roses are just coming into bloom, which reminds me to tell you to visit RHS Rosemoor to see their beautiful rose gardens during their Rose Festival June 17 – 30th 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 30th June, in Devon we like to put the cream on the scone and the jam on top of the cream. You can enjoy a Devon Cream Tea welcome any time of year at Huxtable Farm B&B

There’s so much going on in North Devon during June here are a few thing taking place over the next few weeks: –
What’s on at RHS Rosemoor – Rose Festival June 17 – 30th July
National Trust Arlington Court – What’s on during June – Meet the gardener, garden Trail, garden talk
South Molton Vintage Rally 3rd – 4th June
South Molton Olde English Fayre 9th- 13th June
17th June 2017 – Point to Point at Umberleigh.
16th, 17th & 18th June 2017 – Gold Coast Ocean Festival, Woolacombe & Croyde
Getting active during your stay in North Devon
Beaches of North Devon

Point to point horse racing, North Devon

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May – Bluebell walks, Gardens, County Show and much more …

Swallows at Huxtable Farm B&B

May – The woodland has this years fresh new leaves, the days are getting warmer & longer, the swallows are back and the bluebells are looking glorious–

Lambing has been good and the lambs are growing well in the fields

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

rhubarb in garden

Treasue Trail at Huxtable Farm B&B, North Devon

Events taking place during May;

The Devon County Show, takes place this month on the 18th, 19th & 20th 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 Plant Heritage Spring Fair 13 – 14th May, Devon Chilli Fiesta 20-21st May & future event – RHS Rosemoor’s first Flower Show 18th -20th August.

21st May 4th & 11th June 2017 – 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 11th & 13th May

Meet Marshall from Paw Patrol at The Milky Way Adventure Park 28th May

Meet Rex the T-Rex and his baby dinosaurs at The Big Sheep Adventure Park 28th May

In June you can look forward to;

The South Molton Vintage Rally: 3rd & 4th June : Cars, motorcycles, steam engines, crafts, & demonstrations of rural skills.

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, 4th June : Promoting seaweed for its immense health & nutritional benefits

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

Enjoying the view South towards Dartmoor

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Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

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.

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

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Blog

June & July – Gardens to visit, fruit to pick & wool to sort!

April – Spring, Easter & British Summer Time :)

August – Things to do in North Devon & Exmoor

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

Rose Festival time

June – Elderflower & Gooseberry Jam, Roses & Cream Teas

May – Bluebell walks, Gardens, County Show and much more …

June – Roses, elderflowers, gooseberries and shearing!

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