June & July- Things to do in North Devon

Camping at Huxtable Farm

Now that the summer days are longer and warmer camping at Huxtable Farm is popular, especially if you wish to camp with no other campers next to you and have your own private bathroom.

If you have family members who are not keen on camping, then Huxtable Farm has the luxury of being able to offer them Huxtable Farms B&B accommodation, whilst those who wish to camp under canvas or the stars can still do so.

With the farm (woodland, pasture, pond & stream) to explore, via it’s Devon Wildlife Trail, you have a chance to ‘ Get back to nature’, breath in the countryside and enjoy the space our farm has to offer.

Here’s a link to some suggestions of FREE things you can do on the farm too.

Check B&B availability

Check Camping availability

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Roses in June

June & July are also fantastic times to visit the wonderful gardens in North Devon including; RHS Rosemoor, with it’s Rose festival 17th June – 16Th July (Rosemmor probably has the largest variety of roses, more than 2000, in the UK), Castle Hill Gardens (just 2 miles down the road from Huxtable Farm), Marwood Hill gardens just the other side of Barnstaple, Tapeley Park at Instow and National Trust Arlington Court, 12 miles north west of Huxtable Farm.

Cycling theTarka Trail, North Devon

For the adverturous, there are bike trails, such as the Tarka trail or mountain biking on Exmoor with ‘Exmoor Adventures‘ who also offer paddle boarding, kayaking, rock climbing & archery. Surfing at the reknowned beaches of Croyde, Saunton and Woolacombe, or kite surfing at Westward Ho! Off road adventures at ‘Keypitts’, where you can have a 4X4 Landrover experience, go Quad biking or Axe throwing.

Fruit; Raspberries, Gooseberries and Logenberries

Here on the farm, it’s a busy time, picking fruit, to be used at the breakfast table either served fresh, as a compote or homemade jam to enjoy on freshly baked toasted bread.

It’s also time when the Jacob sheep are shorn and their Jacob fleeces are sorted so that they are suitable for crafters to purchase, such as spinners or felters.

Shearing the Jacob sheep in June

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Autumn; Thinking about unique Christmas gifts already?

Autumn leaves (Autumn walks in North Devon)

Autumn has officially arrived; the day light hours are getting shorter, the sunsets are stunning and the leaves are changing colour – It’s time to put on the boots and get ouside for some wonderful walks and enjoy natures beautiful autumn colours.

On the days that are too cold & wet, it’s great to snuggle up next to the crackling log fire with a good book or pick up the knitting needles to create a unique gift for yourself or someone; such as these adorable, hand knitted elephants with removable clothing, using Huxtable Farm’s Jacob wool. The pattern is in knitting book ‘Au Bout d Pre’

Hand Knitted elephants with removable clothing £19 each

Hand Knitted elephants with removable clothing, hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob wool £19 each

If you’ve started to think about Christmas, please do have a look at our unique Christmas gifts made from our Jacob sheep wool, including Jacob wool throws & cushions, knitting kits, hand knitted hats etc. All made with love! Do send an e-mail to jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing something.

Unique Christmas gifts from Huxtable Farm

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool throws and cushions

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit

Printnineteen Christmas Cards

Our daughter, Natalie, has her own small business, (love supporting small businesses) called ‘Print Nineteen’, Natalie produces some beautiful unique cards and prints (including personalised), many produced from foliage from around the farm. Do have a look at her beautiful new Christmas cards and gift wrap paper.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm‘s; two B&B bedrooms (a family bedroom and twin bedroom) and three camping pitches, each with thier own bathroom, from April 2023. To avoid disappiont it may be advisable to book early. In the meantime, we are busy maintaining the farm and selling logs for winter fuel.

B&B availability

Camping availability

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor.

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

Enjoy walks 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.

In the meantime, happy christmas shopping and I look forward to hearing from you; jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool knitting kits

Raw Jacob fleeces available to purchase, to spin, weave or felt

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

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

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Winter; Time to get creative with a knitting kit

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit (grey or dark Brown sorry cream sold out)

Our Knitting Kits make the perfect gift or chance for yourself to get creative, especially during winter time, when the day light hours are reduced. Treat yourself or someone special. All our knitting kits are put together with love; they include 100% natural wool from our flock of Jacob sheep, detailed instructions, knitting needles and any other necessary additional items so that you or your loved ones can achieve fabulous results. £13.95 each including postage & packing.

Raw Jacob fleece for spinning

Alternatively if you have your own project that requires purchasing our unique wool, or are a hand spinner requiring a Jacob fleece please do get in touch. jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Enquire by e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk and payment details will be sent.

Cable scarf & warmers Knitting Kit £13.95 each (Grey or dark brown sorry cream sold out)

Please do also have a look at our other unique gifts made from our Jacob sheeps’ wool, including gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing, Jacob wool throws & cushions, hand knitted hats etc. They make ideal gifts e.g for a 7th Wool Wedding Aniversary 🙂

Unique gifts from Huxtable Farm

Knitting Kit Rib Scarf & Wrist Warmers £13.99 each (grey or dark brown sorry cream sold out)

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm; two B&B bedrooms (a family bedroom and twin bedroom) and three camping pitches, each with thier own bathroom, from April 2022. To avoid disappiont it may be advisable to book early. In the meantime, we are busy maintaining the farm; looking after the animals, hedge laying, fencing and selling logs for winter fuel.

B&B availability

Camping availability

Here’s some ideas of what to do & see on your visit to North Devon & Exmoor.

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

Enjoy walks from Huxtable Farm, through wooded valleys (Coombes) and enjoy the glorious 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 (RHS partner garden) just 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, Marwood Hill Gardens, Tapely Park Instow (RHS partner garden), not forgetting RHS Rosemoor near Torrington, you will be spoilt for choice.

Off the beaten track, with wonderful views.

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Autumn – Thinking about unique Christmas gifts?

Harvesting Figs, Blackberries, Apples & Tomatoes

Autumn is officially here, the leaves are falling off the trees and the sunsets are spectacular – We hope you and those close to you are well.

Since opening in July it has a been a busy year meeting some wonderful visitors. As many of you already know, we have reduced the number of available B&B rooms to help with social distancing and welcome campers with their own tents, on one of three pitches each with their own bathroom.

We’re already taking B&B and Camping bookings for 2022 and have extended our offer of a free copy of our book ‘Huxtable the Story of a Devon Farm’ to all bookings for next year, to celebrate Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old! Next year could be another busy one so you may wish to provisionally book ahead.

B&B availability Camping availability

In the meantime, we are busy picking natures wonderful harvest elderberries, apples, blackberries, figs, etc. to make delicious compotes and jams to serve at the breakfast table.

Huxtable Farm Apple Juice

New for 2022 – We will have our own delicious apple juice available to purchase and enjoy at breakfast time because this autumn we have had our apples pressed to make delicious apple juice.

Don’t forget if you are starting to think about unique Christmas gifts please do have a look at the lovely items made from the fleeces of our Jacob sheep and prints and cards of watercolour paintings by Jackie. All are available to purchase and can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats, unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, and these gorgeous hand knitted elephants with removeable clothing.

Please e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk or telephone Jackie 01598 760254 with your order.

Hand Knitted elephants (approx 20cm tall) with removable clothing £19 each

Huxtable Farm Jacob sheep

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

Jacob sheep card £4.50 each

Stripy hand knitted Jacob wool hats with or without pompoms £25

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit £13.50

Set of 5 cards of your choice £10

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

August – Jacob sheep knitting wool & Camping

Hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob Wool

Love this elephant family hand knitted with Huxtable Farm Jacob wool using the pattern from ‘Knitting by Au Bout du Pré by Cécile Carter’. Wool, knitting book and knitted elephants available to purchase from Huxtable Farm – Contact jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Huxtable Farm Jacob sheep

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

Lots more lovely items made from the fleeces of our Jacob sheep are also available to purchase and can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes.

Jacob sheep card £4.50 each

Stripy hand knitted Jacob wool hats with or without pompoms £25

Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit £13.50

We’re already taking B&B bookings for 2021 and have extended our offer of a free copy of the book ‘Huxtable the Story of a Devon Farm’ to all bookings for next year, celebrating Huxtable Farmhouse being 500 years old! Next year could be busy so you may wish to provisionally book ahead.

Check Availability

Camping in a tent

The Camping at Huxtable Farm is popular this August, especially as each pitch has it’s own wash room. We only have a few spaces available for the end of August & beginning of September 2020.

Until we see you again, take care, stay safe & healthy, with warm wiahes Jackie, Antony & Bella, the dog 🙂

Campsite

Huxtable Farm, West Buckland, suituated between Barnstaple and Exmoor in North Devon

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

July – New additions to Huxtable Farm

Peahens

Hurray, we’re now connected to Fibre Broadband 🙂 having had the connection delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown. What a difference it makes not having to watch the circle whirling around.

Other additions to the farm include another broody hen hatching another seven chicks and we have just purchased a peacock, Pedro and a two peahens. Pedro is quite stunning with his tail feathers on display (see photo at bottom of post)

Chick July 2020

There’s still a lot happening here; Antony continues to chop and split the trees he felled the winter before, last ready to sell as seasoned logs when the weather changes and I’m busy picking goosebrries, redcurrants, blackcurrants & raspberries in the fruit garden, followed by lots of sorting, freezing and jam making. The fruit all seems to ripen at once, thank goodness I have a little helper!

Felted Jacob sheepskin rug next to wood burner

I’m also spending time updating the website adding some of the lovely items available to purchase, which can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year unique vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes.

I’ve also had my paints out again and have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase. Cards £2.50 each (including envelope & wrap) or 5 for £10 and mounted A4 prints £25 each. (Jacob sheep, wool card £4.50 each)

Card of West Buckland School

Springer Spaniel – Print of acrylic painting by Jackie

Jacob sheep card

Check Availability

Until we see you again, take care, stay safe & healthy, with warm wiahes Jackie, Antony & Bella, the dog 🙂

Peacock Pedro

Chicks July 2020

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

June – Logging, Jacob sheepskin rugs & paintings

Dragging part of a fallen tree trunk

Antony & I have been using our time to clear fallen tress around the farm, to be used for this winters firewood, as they are already well seasoned.

Fallen Tree

Although we are not open for 2020 we do have some lovely items available to purchase , which can be sent by post within the UK; Jacob wool items; throws, cushions, hand knitted hats & new this year vegetarian Jacob sheepskin rugs, made from the fleeces of our ewes. I’ve also had my paints out again and have some prints and cards of my water colour paintings available to purchase. Cards £2.50 each (including envelope & wrap) or 5 for £10, mounted A4 prints £25.

Water colour painting of Devon house

Wild Flower Meadow Water Colour Print

Card of West Buckland School

Springer Spaniel – Print of acrylic painting by Jackie

We are sorry not to be able to accommodate you this year as there are so many beautiful gardens to visit in North Devon at their bestright now; Castle Hill only 2 miles from Huxtable Farm B&B, RHS Rosemoor, 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
RHS Rosemoor Roses in June

Next year could be a busy year so you may wish to provisionally book ahead

Check Availability

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Painting of West Buckland School

Cards & prints of West Buckland School

painted by Jackie – May 2020

A4 Prints and cards are available to purchase;

Card of West Buckland School

Cards £2.50 each (include an envelope).

Mounted A4 prints £20 each.

Contact jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Progress photographs of the painting 🙂

West Buckland School painting 1

West Buckland School painting 2

West Buckland School painting 3

Covid-19 Update

We hope you are keeping well and staying safe as we enter our nineth week in lockdown.

Antony & I have been staying at the farm, looking after our stock, carrying on with the upkeep and maintenance of Huxtable Farm’s accommodation, gardens and farmland so that we are ready to welcome you back when the time comes.

We are monitoring government advice and bearing in mind the welfare of everyone who visits Huxtable Farm B&B, we are now closed until the 4th July 2020. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, take advice from the appropriate authorities and we will only reopen when it is confirmed that we have the ‘all clear’ to do so. If this means that we have to extend the temporary closer further, we will keep you updated.

Rebook for a future date; We very much look forward to the day when we can welcome you to Huxtable Farm B&B again. With this in mind, if you already have a booking with us we very much hope that you will postpone your booking and rearrange for a later date. Please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail at jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk

Please 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. Click or the button below to Check available dates at Huxtable Farm B&B.

Availability

Right now, it’s essential that we all continue to follow government advice, stay at home and support our dedicated front line service personnel. We would like to thank them all for the incredible work they are doing keeping this country going. We would also like to thank you for your patience, understanding and support during this extraordinary time.

We hope you enjoy this month photographs of the sheep getting shorn and guinea fowl chicks at Huxtable Farm B&B. For more videos & photographs please do not hesitate to connect with us via our social media channels; Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Blog (News) on our website.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Huxtable Farm B&B just as soon as we are able to do so.

In the meantime, please take care, keep well and stay safe.

Guinea Fowl Chicks

Newly hatch Guinea fowl chick

Jacobs before shearing

Shorn Jacobs in May

Shearing Jacob

Shearing Woolly

Woolly before shearing

Shorn Woolly

Click here to view Jacob sheep fleeces and wool products available to purchase

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

March – Hares, Pancake Day & Mothers Day

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

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

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

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

Keep Reading

Comments Off Written by Jackie Payne

Blog

June & July- Things to do in North Devon

Autumn; Thinking about unique Christmas gifts already?

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

Winter; Time to get creative with a knitting kit

Autumn – Thinking about unique Christmas gifts?

August – Jacob sheep knitting wool & Camping

July – New additions to Huxtable Farm

June – Logging, Jacob sheepskin rugs & paintings

Painting of West Buckland School

Cards & prints of West Buckland School

painted by Jackie – May 2020

A4 Prints and cards are available to purchase;

Covid-19 Update

March – Hares, Pancake Day & Mothers Day

Archives

Categories

Sign up to receive news by email