Winter ... Brrrrrrr (part 2)

Well, what can I say.  Brrrrr.....!

We've had the most amazing wintery weather here in deepest Devon - admittedly along with most of the rest of the country.  We've had frozen pipes and water troughs, impassable roads and no post or newspapers for several days,  but I have to say that everywhere looks truly beautiful - almost like Narnia!

We've had some snowed-in guests, who eventually got home safely, and we're looking forward to welcoming our Christmas and New Year guests.  Hopefully things will be a bit less icy in the next few days.  But, it is lovely looking at the cottages decorated with snow:

A very Happy Christmas to all our Guests, past and present!

Another Celebration

We've certainly had our share of celebrations at The Barton Granary & Brimbles this year!  We were particularly honoured that the Copas family chose to celebrate Monte and Doreen's Diamond Wedding Anniversary with a family party at the Granary.  Our heartiest congratulations go Monte and Doreen on their fantastic achievement of 60 happy years of marriage!

Divine Lemon Posset Pots

The most requested desert from guests that I cook for is Divine Lemon Posset Pots.

Almost all of the recipes I cook for guests are my own, but I'm ashamed to say that this recipe first came to my attention whilst reading a Mary Berry cookery book (anyone who knows me knows that I devour cookery books as bedtime reading), but I have adapted the recipe for my own use.  Here goes:

To serve 4


300ml of double cream
75g of unrefined caster sugar
The grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons of kirsch (or brandy)

Heat the cream, sugar and lemon zest in a large pan (a skillet or non-stick frying pan) over a very low heat until simmering.  Once simmering point has been reached, stir continuously for a couple of minutes.


Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool until lukewarm


Mix the lemon juice and kirsch (or brandy) with the lukewarm mixture and stir until smooth

Pour into ramekins or wine glasses, transfer to the fridge or a very cool place and allow to set


Serve with biscotti or almond biscuits, and maybe with some raspberries or strawberries on the side.

So, now I've shared the recipe, it will disappear from my menu unless requested!!!!!

Winter ... Brrrrrrr

I'm sorry that I've been very slack in updating the blog.  Life has been somewhat hectic here at The Barton, but things are starting to slow down now, just in time for the Christmas onslaught!

The good news is that we've finished all the improvements and building work.

The swimming pool now has a new liner; the children's play area (complete with climbing frame) is now finished - a big thanks to all who helped us lay 400 square metres of turf; The Granary has a new water pump - which will mean that when the cows all decide to drink at once, the water supply for our guests will not be interrupted; there is now direct access from Brimbles to the garden and a new small patio area,  thanks to a new door in what was once the downstairs twin bedroom;  and we have converted the carriage house into a store room for maps & guidebooks, DVD's,  outdoor games and wellington boots for guests to borrow.  Additionally, thanks to a terribly sophisticated bit of kit that I don't really understand, we are, at last, able to offer free wifi access (subject to acceptance of terms) to all of our guests in Brimbles and The Granary!

Photographs will follow on the website and the blog.

Coming soon ..... we have special offers for breaks in January and February  - keep  checking our website for details.

Summer days.... drifting away...

Well.... we're approaching the end of the summer holidays!  Where has the year gone?

Sadly, the weather has not been so good over the past few days, but our guests earlier in the summer experienced the very best that Devon has to offer during balmy days - beaches, moors, etc.  And some of our guests were lucky enough to have crystal clear night skies enabling them to enjoy the annual Perseid meteor shower.

We are closing during September to refurbish the swimming pool and to add one or two new facilities for visitors to The Barton.  We are currently preparing the site for our new play area and the builders are moving in to turn one of the carriage houses into a boot/map room where guests will be able to borrow wellies, maps and guidebooks and outdoor toys.  We are also hoping (subject to BT granting permission) to offer free Wifi in both of the cottages (using a very sophisticated bit of kit that neither Phil or I really understand!!).

Also, the interior of Brimbles will be undergoing some changes.  We are moving the playroom to downstairs and creating a back door offering direct access from Brimbles to the garden and new patio area.

All very exciting - check the website for new photos as the new facilites are finished.

We are really delighted that several of our past guests have already booked for next year. If you'd like us to hold some dates for you for a couple of weeks (past or new guests) just contact us via the website.

Oh and yes!!   After several requests from guests I will be sharing the recipe for Divine Lemon Pots on this blog very soon!

Enjoy the rest of the summer............

Many Congratulations

To Julia and Tom who chose to celebrate their wedding at The Granary recently. They decorated the Granary beautifully!


Despite the changeable weather (we had to lend Julia a pair of wellies to get to the car) a good time was had by all!

135 Years and Still Counting ...........

My Mum & Dad (Clare and Arthur) celebrated their joint 135th Birthday at The Granary last week.

They hosted a really great party for new and old friends and family and a good time was had by all!

Thanks to Natalie, Joe and Jack (grandchildren) for performing and to everyone who helped to make it such a fantastic occasion.

Welcome...

....to our first lamb of the season - Doug! Born on Monday morning (with a little bit of help from me) this enourmous chap was skipping around like a six week old lamb on Tuesday. Well done mum!

The Story so far .. people and barns

I moved to Devon 14 years ago with my husband, Phil and our children, Natalie and Joe, for a change of lifestyle and pace! We bought a fairly rundown farm with a few acres, some ancient barns and a Georgian house and set about creating a new life for ourselves.

We converted The Barton Granary Granary 12 years ago from a Grade II listed former granary and shippen at the top of the farm that had been used over the previous years as a store for wood and a sawmill.

Before :

And after:

We converted the former milking parlour and shippen to the original Jacobean farmhouse into an indoor swimming pool and Brimbles, our second holiday cottage, 6 years ago.

Before:

And after:


Have a look at our website for more photos and information!