Speckled Hen Inn

Author: Heather Shannon

Biscuit lamb just born
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Meet Biscuit – our newest bottle fed lamb!

Biscuit lamb just born

Biscuit meet world.  World meet Biscuit – our newest addition and a bottle fed lamb! What an exciting day!  We were headed out to pick up a pasture brush for the sheep.  What’s that, you ask?  You know – the brushes used by street sweepers?  Well, when they are no longer useful for streets, farmers buy them to put in their pasture for their cattle, horses, and sheep as scratching posts.  And what a hoot it is to watch them because they really enjoy a good back scratch! And why would we want them for our sheep?  Because our sheep are Katahdin sheep.  They are self-shearing sheep that shed each spring, which is great because we don’t have to shear them.
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Best of Madison Gold 2020
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Awards, News From Speckled Hen Inn, Outdoor Activities, Things to do in Madison

News from The Speckled Hen Inn!

Best of Madison Gold 2020

There is lots of exciting news here at The Speckled Hen Inn! While the COVID-19 pandemic was happening, we decided to take advantage of this gift of time and move forward on our long list of “To-Do’s”.   We also wanted to share some good news that happened along the way. The Speckled Hen Inn won two awards for 2020, was mentioned in a national travel magazine article, and has been nominated for a third which won’t be announced until the end of the year: Best of Madison GOLD for 2020! HotelsCombined Award of Excellence which is awarded to only the top 3% of hotels in the world! Nominated for the Governor’s Award for Tourism – specifically sustainability – winner
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Dane Co Farmer's Market
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Info for Foodies, Outdoor Activities, Shopping, Spring, Summer, Things to do in Madison

Dane County Farmer’s Market Insider Tips

Dane Co Farmer's Market

The Dane County Farmer’s Market moves outdoors to Capitol Square on April 14th!   At last – spring has sprung and the air is cool, crisp, new life is in bloom, and we are all so happy to be outside again! If you’re a new visitor to Madison, or just new to the Dane County Farmer’s Market, here are some insider tips for you to make your adventure successful (and fun)! 1. Get there early!  It starts at 6:15am and the early bird gets the worm (and sometimes the last of the baked goods!). 2. Get a good parking space in one of  the nearby parking structures and enjoy the walk to the Square. 3. The line (or swarm, depending on when
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Madison Red Bikes
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Info for Foodies, Shopping, Summer, Things to do in Madison

4 Hours of Summer Fun in Madison

Madison Red Bikes

So you’re in Madison for the weekend and you want to do something fun and make the most of your time while you’re here.  First, book a stay with us at The Speckled Hen Inn for great farm to table breakfasts to get you off to a great start in the morning!   If you love the outdoors, Madison BCycles, or Red Bikes,  are a great way to get around and they’re only $3/30 minutes.  Plus, you can check them in and check them out at any red-bike station around town.  A nice trek is renting them on the corner of Williamson and Blair and riding the bike trail southwest along Lake Monona.   There’s usually activity out on the lake, and there are baby
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The Speckled Hen Inn Photo with TripAdvisor Award
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News From Speckled Hen Inn, Uncategorized

Booking Direct on our Website $aves

The Speckled Hen Inn Photo with TripAdvisor Award

Yes, it’s true.  We know your time is precious – when you Google and are scrolling through places to stay you want to just click and book.  But WAIT!  If you like what you see but it’s telling you there are no rooms available, CHECK OUR WEBSITE AVAILABILITY CALENDAR  first! It may mean we just don’t want to pay the commissions.  When you book using an OTA (online travel agency) booking engine, you may be relying on information which may or may not be true.  By booking direct, you will see special offers, last minute deals, and most importantly, real-time availability and the lowest pricing. 

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About us, Info for Foodies, News From Speckled Hen Inn, Winter

FRESH EGGS FOR SALE!

For a limited time The Speckled Hen Inn  is offering fresh eggs for sale! YES!  The Speckled Hen Inn Bed and Breakfast really does have SPECKLED HENS – 50 of them in fact! Guests are encouraged to meander the property when they’re staying with us.  We also encourage guests to feed the hens with the fresh produce we provide for them from the gardens.  Our very happy hens provide us with wonderful eggs that we use at breakfast every day!  Compare their full, rich yellow yolks with those from the grocery store to see (and TASTE) for yourself! Is there really such a thing as happy chickens? We think so!  Our sweet speckled hens have every reason to be happy.  They
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Book Direct Screen
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About us, News From Speckled Hen Inn, Uncategorized

BOOKING DIRECT & WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Book Direct Screen

What’s the big deal of booking direct and why is it important?   Well, there’s a war going on between the OTA (online travel agency) industry and B&B owners nationwide.  Unfortunately we are losing!    We are pleading for you, loyal B&B fans, to BOOK DIRECT.    When you are online, choose your booking engine carefully.   Here’s why:    Expedia, the well-known billion-dollar travel booking site, is working hard to take complete control of lodging reservations online, including small B&B’s like ours.  Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelocity and other travel networks are misrepresenting themselves as the direct website of the hotel or lodging choice.  Unfortunately, most people booking online don’t even know it’s happening. What this means to you and why you
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Garver Feed Mill Logo
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Info for Foodies, Things to do in Madison, Uncategorized

Garver’s Feed Mill – Pizza & MORE!

Garver Feed Mill Logo

Looking for something new in Madison?  Check out Garver’s Feed Mill off Atwood Avenue!  We learned of it from guests who spent their wedding night with us – and were the very first wedding venue at the newly (and beautifully) renovated historic building.  Garver’s Feed Mill has set out to be a foodie and wellness destination – transforming the historic mill into a platform for local food businesses to grow and expand Madison’s profile as a Midwestern hub of high quality hand crafted food and drink.  Tenants include Ian’s Pizza, Calliope Ice Cream, Surya Café, Ledger Coffee Roasters, Kosa Ayurvedic Spa, Perennial Yoga, Sitka Salmon Shares, NessAlla Kombucha, Underground Food Collective, Briar Loft floral design, Twig & Olive Photography, and
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Snowshoe path
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Outdoor Activities, Uncategorized, Winter

Where to Go Snowshoeing in Madison WI

Snowshoe path

Have you ever wanted to try out the sport of snowshoeing and wondered where to go snowshoeing in Madison WI?  We have some suggestions for you and now that we now have enough snow to make this possible, give it a try! Winter is here, and doesn’t it look beautiful? There are many that appreciate the warmer temperatures.  However, I always look forward to being able to enjoy the snow and ice throughout the winter. When I think of the cold, snow and wind…  Well, really just the snow, it makes me think of sledding, skiing, ice-skating and snowshoeing.   I love being able to get outside and having the sun shine on my face and feeling active, almost in defiance
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bathtub with bubble bath
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About us, Fireplaces, Whirlpool Tubs

Suites, Whirlpool Tubs, and Fireplaces, OH MY!

bathtub with bubble bath

How many lodging choices in Madison, WI do you know of that have suites that come with a whirlpool tub AND fireplace?   All 5 of our rooms and suites have fireplaces, 4 have jetted tubs, and 1 has a claw tub.  Not only do our rooms have a whirlpool tub and fireplace, but we also have king sized beds!  And there are many common spaces – like a theatre room, a guest galley kitchen, a game area, sitting rooms, balconies, a gazebo, and 20 beautiful acres outdoors to explore and enjoy!   Our suites are furnished with plush towels, bathrobes, and oh so comfy beds with luxurious linens that await after you have soaked your stresses away.    Top that off with a multi-course
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