While we’ve been busy putting in dancefloors and installing new lights (and heaps of other jobs too), springtime has literally sprung up around us here at Ash Barton.

Wildflower meadow

The wildflower meadow has burst into life with its pretty oxeye daisies which are so bright and white they almost appear to glow in the evening. No wonder they’re often called a moon daisy or a moonpenny. The yellow daisies, poppies and cornflowers are all poking their heads through too, so we’re hoping for bags of colour in the coming weeks.

Unsurprisingly, our wildflower meadow is one of the most popular places for our couples to get married. Did you know it has one of the longest aisles in the country at nearly 145m? You can help yourself to the flowers too. We often have members of the wedding party out picking flowers in the meadow first thing to pop into jam jars for the tables.

By the lake

Down by the lake, under our old oak with its swing, is also a popular location to get married. The oak tree has recently sprung to life. And we’ve also enjoyed one of our favourite spring spectacles: our gunnera popping up all around the lake. This huge rhubarb-like plant looks almost prehistoric. In fact, it’s often known as dinosaur food and we can see why.

Around Ash Barton

There are always flowers growing in the Ash Barton grounds including tulips and roses in the walled garden. But we do plant a few of our own too. (Thanks Pete!) Our hanging baskets and water troughs are now packed with colourful geraniums, begonias, petunias and daisies.

Down the lane

When we've ventured away from Ash Barton for our daily stroll, we've seen plenty of cow parsley and pink foxgloves growing in the shady hedgerows in the lane towards Braunton. And there’s been anabundance of wild garlic growing on the path too. It smells amazing and has been great for making fresh pesto.

Into the woods

In the woods close to Ash Barton, we’ve enjoyed meandering through the blankets of bluebells. And we’ve discovered that the woods are also home to a woodpecker. We’ve heard its distinctive ‘drumming’ sound on many a walk but we've yet to spot it. We must remember the binoculars next time. We’ve definitely seen the buzzard though. It circles above the woodland before swooping down to scoop up some poor unsuspecting mouse for its tea.

Fresh eggs

Back at Ash Barton, we’ve spotted hares and deer at dusk when we’ve been sitting out on the main patio enjoying a glass or two. We’ve also seen our resident barn owl this week, returning to the threshing barn after an evening of hunting.

And, of course, we've seen the odd wily fox who, no doubt, is interested in the Ash Barton chickens. There are 30 in our chicken coop now and, as usual, they’re been busy eating all our scraps and leftovers and laying the most amazingly tasty eggs. Luckily for us, and any visitors to Ash Barton, our chooks are here all year round and you can help yourself to as many eggs as you like.