Hoppers Barn

31/05/2024

Ho***rs at the ready! The Waverley, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, approaching Bideford Quay, viewed from the deck of the historic steamship Freshspring, with musical accompaniment from the Bideford town band. This was the Waverley's first visit to Bideford since the 1980s.
SS Freshspring Trust , Waverley Excursions

24/05/2024

Avoid the crowds at the seaside this bank holiday weekend with a visit to beautiful Hartland Abbey and Gardens. Open Sunday and Monday. Dogs on leads welcome but guide dogs only in the house

19/05/2024

Public transport is limited in our area and you can find yourself doing a lot of driving while on holiday. But it's possible to have an almost car-free day out if you take the 85 bus from Holsworthy. The route runs through lovely countryside to Bideford (pictured) and Barnstaple In one direction, or Launceston and Tavistock in the other - all these towns are well worth a visit.
Park in Holsworthy's main car park at the top of the hill. The bus leaves from outside the church (southbound) or library opposite (northbound). You should have plenty of time to explore your chosen destination but remember buses don't run in the evenings in these parts, so be sure to check the timetable and don't miss the last bus back!
https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/South%20West/14th%20April%202024/85_BARNS%20140424.pdf

08/05/2024

Blossom, bluebells and rhododendrons today at RHS Garden Rosemoor, a short drive from us and open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm (last entry 5pm).

29/04/2024

It's National Gardening Week and the magnificent RHS Garden Rosemoor, near Torrington (about 30 mins drive from us), will be looking picture perfect, with its rhododendrons in bloom and fruit trees bursting with blossom. Plus on Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5th, Rosemoor will be hosting the Great Hobby Weekend where you can try out anything from book binding to swing dancing. Best not to try both at the same time, though!

Find out what's looking its absolute best this season at RHS Garden Rosemoor in North Devon.

29/04/2024

The Brendon Arms and its next-door neighbour the Falcon Hotel Bude are hosting a Cornish Sea Shanty Weekend, Sunday 5 May and Monday 6th, starting at 1pm on both days. Including performances from Cousin Jack, Bencoolen Wreckers, Barrel Seagals, Mevagissey Quay Notes and more. Featuring guest ales, outdoor cider bar and what the organisers describe as "proper Cornish pasties"!

29/04/2024

Here's our pick of events within a short drive from Hoppers Barn this coming bank holiday weekend. Starting in Marhamchurch, a pretty village of thatch and cob cottages just inland from Bude, off the A39. Marhamchurch Food Fair is taking place on Monday 6 May, 11am to 3pm, and features local food suppliers, barbecues, cream teas, pasties, face painting for children and live music.

A free event showcasing local food suppliers. Stalls selling local produce plus barbecues, cream teas, pasties, with face painting for children and live music. There’s an art exhibition and sale […]

18/04/2024

June is a lovely month for a stay at our beautiful and luxurious holiday barn, located in peaceful countryside on the border of north Devon and Cornwall. Our guests have private access to 15 acres of fields and woodland, and we are next door to the nationally important Dunsdon Nature Reserve, managed by Devon Wildlife Trust. It's a haven for birds, bats, butterflies and other wildlife, including rare and endangered species. For more information and to book, see our website:

Hoppers Barn at Dunsdon Farm North Devon is a luxury conversion with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms; it sleeps 6 and is pet-friendly.

01/04/2024

Dodging the rain to walk The South West Coast Path from Northcott to Sandymouth, starting at the lovely Sip + Sea cafe, then over the clifftops for stunning views out to sea, before making our way down to the beach, followed by more refreshment at the Sandymouth Café. Not a long walk as the crow flies but steep and slippery in parts - sturdy, waterproof footwear essential. Dogs will love this walk but please keep them on leads until you get to the beach, as there are sheep and lambs grazing alongside the coast path.

23/03/2024

Cycling the Camel Trail is a great way to see the beautiful Cornish countryside. Try Wadebridge to Padstow - a safe, easy ride (5-6 miles) along the Camel estuary. Pick up a bike in Wadebridge from one of several hire companies.

The Camel Trail is an 18 mile largely traffic free, surfaced and reasonably level multi use trail. It provides access to the beautiful Cornish countryside along a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow.

16/03/2024

It's daffodil-tastic at Cotehele. Now is the week to visit

Cotehele is fortunate to be home to a variety of daffodils and there’s a real history behind these sunny flowers on the estate and the wider Tamar valley. Some of the daffodil varieties at Cotehele date back to the 17th century. Visit this week to celebrate this beautiful flower and learn more about the fascinating heritage.

https://bit.ly/3VeN3pp

Click the link to listen to Head Gardener Dave Bouch and historic voices from the Tamar Valley describe life here during the market garden industry boom or pick up the Seagull and Sunrise leaflet for £1 from Cotehele Reception.

Cotehele Daffodil festival is on daily Saturday 16 -Sunday 24 March.

Photo by Rich B

08/03/2024

Mostly dating from the Tudor period, Cotehele is one of the loveliest of all National Trust properties and about a hour's drive from us. It has extensive and beautiful gardens and a breathtaking setting, high up on the banks of the Tamar, on the Cornish side of the river. The house is open daily from Saturday 9 March. Check out the website to plan your visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/cotehele

24/02/2024

23/02/2024

If you've enjoyed reading about our rescue chickens, you might want to adopt some of your own. Not-for-profit organisation Fresh Start For Hens is currently inviting registrations via its website. No previous experience necessary - there's lots of information online for beginners - but you must at least have a secure, fox-proof coop for the hens to sleep at night. In a city garden, you'll need to ensure 24/7 protection from urban foxes. Be prepared for a certain amount of damage to lawns and flowerbeds, but in return for your tolerance, your hens will reward you with their affection and with delicious free-range eggs.

07/02/2024

Here is Clarrie, our fourth and final Hen of the Week. Clarrie is a Badass Chicken. She is top of the pecking order and bullies everyone, including Prince the cat. She doesn't lay as many eggs as the other hens - it's a job for underlings! - but when she does they have characteristic brown pimples. Guests at Hoppers Barn receive a box of our girls' lovely fresh eggs in their welcome basket. See if you can guess who laid which egg!

31/01/2024

Hen of the Week: meet Jolene, an attractive two-toned hen, who is well-preserved for her age (rather like her namesake in ). Jolene can often be found pampering herself - she likes a nice dust bath. Her eggs are elegant and lightly speckled.

29/01/2024

RSPB this weekend at Dunsdon this weekend - blue t**s were most numerous, but we also recorded great t**s, coal t**s, willow t**s, goldfinches, chaffinches, sparrows, dunnocks, starlings, robins, a nuthatch and a blackbird

23/01/2024

Our Hen of the Week this week is Susan. She was missing a lot of feathers when she first came to live with us on her retirement from the egg industry. But they've grown back, and these days she's a very attractive, fluffy and feisty girl. What Susan lacks in size, she makes up for in confidence. She lays small, pale, round eggs.

17/01/2024

Meet our first Hen of the Week: this is Lynda, one of our four rescue chickens. She is very inquisitive and loves having her photo taken! She often escapes from the chicken orchard into the kitchen garden. We recently found her secret stash of eggs hidden in a flower bed. Lynda's eggs are easy to recognise: torpedo-shaped with a crinkly top.

08/01/2024

Moon rising over the farm this morning

03/01/2024

Very pleased to say that our new website is now live: www.dunsdonfarm.com. Huge thanks to Adrian at Dragonfish Graphics for the design and to Andy Davies Photography

Hoppers Barn at Dunsdon Farm North Devon is a luxury conversion with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms; it sleeps 6 and is pet-friendly.

19/12/2023

Great winter circular walk from Bude along The South West Coast Path to Widemouth Bay, with lunch stop at The Beach House (thank you for welcoming walkers!) then taking the footpath inland (mud alert!) to join up with the Bude Canal and follow the towpath back into town. The striking rock formations on the beaches in this part of north Cornwall and Devon were created millions of years ago by two tectonic plates bumping up against each other.

14/12/2023

How community action from the Bude Climate Partnership is influencing the UK-wide response to global warming:

How an image of the projected high tide in 2050 swung the people of Bude into action

22/11/2023

Even if you’re not quite brave enough to take the plunge in the Christmas Day Swim at Bude’s Crooklets Beach, you’ll find this corner of North Devon/Cornwall the perfect place for a Christmas or New Year family gathering. Our beautiful holiday barn sleeps six and the booking price includes an extra-special festive welcome basket and unlimited supply of logs for the woodburner. Book via https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Cornwall-Dunsdon/Hoppers-Barn-1121536.html or message us for further information.

Whats on in Bude over Christmas? Christmas in Cornwall is just magical, and Bude is the perfect base. Picture bracing coastal walks, mugs of hot chocolate, whipped cream and marshmallows in front of open fires and log burners, late night shopping, Christmas markets, local food, and an understated bu...

07/11/2023

Blackchurch Rock on the Hartland Peninsula, photographed on a circular walk from the National Trust car park at Brownsham, taking in part of The South West Coast Path and including views across the Bristol Channel to Lundy Island - The Landmark Trust. Steep descent from the start, followed by scramble over rocks to the beach - walking boots essential!

24/10/2023

You have been warned!!

10/10/2023

Circular walk last weekend on The South West Coast Path where Devon and Cornwall meet, starting at the car park at Welcombe Mouth and taking in Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation and Hut and Marsland Valley Nature Reserve with refreshment at The Old Smithy Inn. A beautiful walk but challenging in places! Glad we took our walking poles.

27/09/2023

The Preston Gate Inn at Poughill is a short cross-country drive from us - good food (booking recommended), good atmosphere and live music several nights a week. Check their page for what's on during your holiday. They also have a beer, cider and music festival coming up next month, 5-8 October.

Here we have a completely unaltered photo of James Dixon to highlight some of the music we have going on this week.
TODAY: We have Good folk unplugged!
TUESDAY: Putting the sauce into Steak Night we have James Dixon
FRIDAY: Get up, stand up... then walk to the pub for RooTzmill
SATURDAY: Its open mic night!

07/09/2023

Our Natterer's bat is just one of many nursed back to health by Mark and Mandy, who are doing amazing work for bat conservation across this part of north Devon and into Cornwall.

Last night we released a natterers bat back to Dunsdon farm near Pancrasweek.He had been found grounded and was dehydrated and underweight when he came in.It took him a little bit of time to start feeding properly and would only take a couple of mealworms inerds when offered.So after a few day's of hand feeding little and often he decided that he could feed himself and started to self feed.We test flew him once his weight was good but in the flight room all he wanted to do was roost up so it was a case of keep him moving around just to get him excercise and build his strength up.We then took him over to Sam at North Devon Bat Care to fly him in the flight pen there.We could see he was flying better in the larger space so were happy that he could go back home.
We turned up at the farm and there was alot of bats of different species flying around and after a little rehydration fluid he flew off to join them.

06/09/2023

Huge thanks to Mark and Mandy of Shebbear Bat Care, who took a young Natterer’s bat we found grounded a couple of months ago and lovingly nursed him back to health. Tonight he came home and flew off into the night