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

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Bluebells under trees

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

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

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

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

Enjoying the view South towards Dartmoor

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Jacob lamb at lambing rime in Spring

Lambing and Easter chicks

Easter chick

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.

Jacob ewe in labour a lambs foot is just visible

Jacob ewe in labour a lambs foot is just visible

Lamb just born

Lamb just born

Jacob ewe cleaning her lamb

Jacob ewe cleaning her lamb

Ewe cleaning lamb and lamb starting to get up

Ewe cleaning lamb and lamb starting to get up

Lamb all clean with ewe

Lamb all clean with ewe

Lamb enjoying it's first feed

Lamb enjoying it’s first feed

 

Here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon during the Easter holidays and local attractions with Easter activities; Quince Honey Farm, Castle Hill Easter Bunny Hunt The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and Clovelly.

However, there is also so much to see and do on and around the farm.

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

 

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Jacob lamb at lambing rime in Spring

Easter – Lambing & Easter chicks

April - Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – The ewes have started to have their lambs and will be for the next three weeks.

With a variety of eggs are in the incubator now – We’re hoping to have some chicks hatching on Easter morning, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm eggstra special – We look forward to sharing this special Spring Bank Holiday weekend with you.

With Easter (April Fools Day 🙂 1st April nearly here here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon.  Not only is there so much to see and do on and around the farm, there are so many #Easter #Egg hunts to look forward to at all the attractions in the area; Quince Honey Farm, Castle Hill Easter Bunny Hunt The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, NT Arlington Court, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

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

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March snow gone, Lambing has started – Spring is here :)

Here are a few snowy photographs from around the farm for you to enjoy – Hopefully you can find the various locations around the farm without snow when you visit Huxtable Farm B&B in warmer weather conditions.

Lambing has started we’ve had a triplet and two doubles today, the daffodils and primroses are brightening up the garden, Easter is next week, the sun is shining so it’s starting to feel more like Spring 🙂

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Huxtable Farm B&B, Devon wildlife pond with ice

March – Mother’s Day, March Hare, Lambing Live & nearly Easter

Feeding birds sharing lunch together

Feeding birds sharing lunch together, blackbird, sparrows & woodpecker!

It’s Mother’s Day on the 11th 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.

Lambing Live here at Huxtable Farm B&B – The ewes are due to start lambing on the 25th March and for the following three weeks, we also aim to have some chicks hatching on Easter morning, making your Easter stay at Huxtable Farm special.

April - Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

April – Lambs, primroses and Easter chicks

Hare in field at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple Devon,

Hare in field at Huxtable Farm B&B, West Buckland, Barnstaple Devon,

March Hare: – Known as the fastest mammal in the UK, the Brown Hare is capable of reaching speeds up to 45mph (72kph), making them able to outrun a predator. 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.

 

 

With Easter (April Fools Day 🙂 1st April) approaching here are a few event’s occurring near to Huxtable Farm Bed and Breakfast (click on this link), in North Devon. Not only is there so much to see and do on and around the farm, there are so many #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, RHS Rosemoor, Hartland Abbey and find the Easter chicks at Clovelly!

Easter chicks

Easter chicks

 

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Frosty mornings

2018 lambs, frosty mornings & woolly Christmas gifts

Frosty leaves

Frosty leaves

 

Enjoying these fresh, crisp, frosty mornings – Some plants look gorgeous in the frost!

Frosty grass and ewes

Frosty grass and ewes

 

 

 

 

 

The rams are still with the ewes, so with a gestation period of 21 weeks lambing will take place between the 25th March and throughout the 2018 #Easter holidays – Always such a lovely time of year when the lambs are here!

Jacob ram with ewes

Jacob ram with ewes

 

 

 

 

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool products - Christmas gifts

Huxtable Farm Jacob wool products – Christmas and 7th (wool) Anniversary gifts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please remember, if you’re looking for a unique Christmas or 7th (wool) Anniversary gift or just want to wrap up warm this winter please do have a look at Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob Wool products for sale; 100% wool throws, knee rugs, cushions, scarves, knitting kits, hand knitted hats and cowls. We also have 100gm balls of Jacob sheep wool in three different colours, cream, grey & dark brown.

Throws by the fire

Throws by the fire

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First snow of 2016 winter

First flurry of snow! Lambing to commence about April fools day 2017

Snow on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail & Farm B&B North Devon

Snow on Devon Wildlife Farm Trail & Farm B&B North Devon 

Jacob ram at Barnstaple B&B

Jacob ram at Barnstaple B&B

November 18th 2016 we have our first flurry of snow making us feel a little Christmassy!

Also, the rams have been with the ewes since the 1st November so the ewes should start lambing round about April Fools day in 2017 for the month of April.

 

If you’re looking for some beautiful unique Jacob wool gifts for Christmas we have some beautiful, throws, cushions, scarves and other products made from Huxtable Farm B&B’s Jacob wool, click here to see what’s available.

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