July – Gardens, fruit picking, camping and things to do

Rockie – the tame lamb

July – The orphan tame lamb, ‘Rockie’ (Jacob cross Romney sheep breed), has been weaned off his bottle of milk and joined the flock so that he has some friends to play with!

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

Raw Jacob fleece

Spinning raw fleece

The sheep are pleased to have been shorn now that the weather is warm, so we have some lovely Jacob and Romney fleeces available for spinners & felters to purchase and enjoy.

Now that the summer holidays are upon us we are offering camping at Huxtable Farm; Three individual camping pitches situated at different locationa around the farm, each with their own private wash room. A wash room with fridge and freezer space is available for all campers as is a games room.

Things to do and places to visit this July;

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

Pond on farm Devon Wildlife trail

We are so lucky to have 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. Not forgetting RHS Rosemoor just south at Torrington.

June 6th – 19th July – RHS Garden Rosemoor – Rose Festival – The largest rose gardens in the South West.

Quince Honey Farm, Exmoor Zoo and Coombe Martin Dinosaur and Wildlife park are within 20mins drive from Huxtable Farm. Click here to see more local family attractions and things to to in North Devon

Gardens of North Devon
RHS Rosemoor Rose Festival July

Statue of Dr Smart at Marwood Hill Gardens

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

Shorn Jacob sheep

Lily in the Devon Wildlife Pond at Huxtable Farm

Time to sit back and watch the world go by !

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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.

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

: 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

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

: Jacob wool cowl knitting Kit

: Jacob wool hats

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 (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exmoor pony foal in fluffy winter coat

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

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

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

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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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 – ‘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″)

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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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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 ;

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.

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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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.