Rare Vaynol calves arrive at Temple Newsam's Home Farm in east Leeds

There is good news from the fields of east Leeds this autumn. Home Farm at Temple Newsam has welcomed five new Vaynol calves, a significant arrival for one of the rarest cattle breeds in the country.

Vaynols are now found at just five locations in the UK, and the new arrivals are five of only around 150 of these animals in the country. The Temple Newsam herd is made up of one bull, 14 breeding cows and five heifers, so every calf matters to the future of the breed.

Home Farm is run by Leeds City Council as a working farm, and it describes itself as one of the largest rare breed centres in Europe. Every animal on the farm is native to the UK, and most are classed as rare breeds by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

The cattle are far from the only residents. Visitors can meet white-faced woodland sheep, middle white pigs and Bagot goats among others, and spring usually brings a run of lambs and kids that make the farm especially popular with families.

The farm's history is part of the experience too. A permanent trail introduces the characters who once worked at the historic farm, so visitors can learn about the people behind the place as they walk around meeting the animals.

Home Farm sits within the wider Temple Newsam estate, where much of the land is free to explore. The parkland and gardens are open to all, and there is an accessible adventure playground designed for children with disabilities. Entry fees apply to the farm itself.

For those wanting a full day out, a joint ticket covers both the farm and Temple Newsam House. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the farm, so it is worth planning walks with dogs around the parkland instead.

It is a special thing to have a working rare breed farm within the city boundary, and the arrival of new Vaynol calves is a reminder of the conservation work quietly going on there.

Tickets for Home Farm, including the combined house and farm ticket, can be booked online through Leeds Museums and Galleries. Check the website before visiting for the latest information.