We are back again this year with our farm insights series where you get to learn more about an individual farm/accommodation provider. Usually, when booking a holiday you learn about how many rooms are available, where the accommodation is and what is included. However, with the farm insights series, we wanted you to get to know the people behind the accommodation. From the blog, you will get to understand why they run a holiday business, what they enjoy about it and how the accommodation came about.
This week we are focusing on Huxtable Farm, an award-winning medieval, 1520 farmhouse and converted barns. Huxtable Farm offers quality en-suite B&B accommodation in Devon’s rural countryside. Situated between Barnstaple & Exmoor National Park makes it a great location for those wanting to explore both the moors and the coast.
Explore the farm via its Devon Wildlife Trail and meet the Jacob sheep and hens. Enjoy panoramic views (a bird watchers, photographers and artists paradise) and a chance for families to #getbacktonature in the woodland, next to the stream and pond.
Huxtable Farm is situated off the beaten track, on the walking routes such as the Tarka Trail and the Macmillan Way West, with walks from the doorstep to local pubs. This is an ideal base for exploring North Devon’s historic market towns such as South Molton. Enjoy the dramatic coastline with its golden sandy beaches of Saunton Sands, Woolacombe and Westward Ho! To the rugged cliffs of Lynton and Lynmouth and only a few miles from the stunning Exmoor National Park.
Huxtable Farm is close to attractions such as; Quince Honey Farm, Exmoor Zoo, Coombe Martin Wildlife Park, National Trust Arlington Court and Castle Hill Gardens (of which Huxtable Farm used to be a tenant farm).
The Accommodation
At Huxtable Farm B&B you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the accommodation. Choose between 6 different rooms, all of which have their own private bathroom or en-suite. On the first floor of the farmhouse, there are three double-bedded bedrooms. The ‘Blue-for-get-me-not’ room with an en-suite shower. The ‘Yellow Primrose’ room with an en-suite bath and finally the ‘Pink campion’ room with a private bathroom across the landing. Each room is full of character and charm from being a medieval farmhouse.
On the ground level, adjacent to the farmhouse there is ‘The Byre’. A beautiful family bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
Also on the ground level in the converted listed barn opposite the farmhouse, there are two more family bedrooms. The ‘Swallow Barn’ and the ‘Barley Barn’ each with en-suite bathrooms.
When staying at Huxtable Farm B&B you get to tuck into a delicious homemade breakfast that is cooked to order every morning. Starting with fruit, yoghurts and cereal before leading onto the main courses which include dishes such as a traditional English breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast, eggs in various forms with or without smoked salmon, porridge, pancakes and more. Jackie and Antony try to source local, home-made and seasonal farm produce for the dishes, whenever possible.
History on the owners
Jackie and Antony are the owners of Huxtable Farm and the B&B. Antony and his parents moved to Huxtable Farm in 1981 once Antony had completed his Agricultural course at Seale Hayne and returned from New Zealand having spent six months working for a farm relief company.
In 1982 Antony met Jackie, who had moved to the area to teach Mathematics & Science at South Molton Comprehensive School. They later married and Jackie became part of the Payne family.
The family started the B&B with one bedroom in 1981 to supplement the farm. They soon decided that diversifying into farm holiday accommodation was the way forward on an 80-acre sheep farm. Once Jackie and Antony started a family in 1986 the decision was made to convert the barns for more accommodation and by 1990 and the present day, increased accommodation to six bed and breakfast rooms; three doubles, one twin and two family bedrooms.
Since 1990 the farm and its accommodation have constantly been upgraded to meet visitor’s expectations and provide a unique experience. Achieving Visit England Four Star, Silver Award, Breakfast Award, Cyclists and Walkers Welcome Awards and more recently Visit England’s Rose Award, for going above and beyond, providing visitors with a special experience.
Favourite place or activity
When we asked Jackie what she enjoys doing when she is not working on the farm or running the B&B she said, ‘ I enjoy using the Jacob sheep wool to produce knitting yarn, wool hats, scarves, throws and felted sheep-skin rugs which you can purchase in the farm shop’.
Jackie and Antony look forward to welcoming you to their B&B with a Devon cream tea. For more information on Huxtable Farm be sure to take a look at their page on our website.