A LITTER of piglets scamper across the cobbled courtyard, letting out occasional squeals.

Behind them, four huge Toulouse geese, their undercarriages almost touching the floor, waddle across the stones in line.

We have come to Home Farm on Temple Newsam estate in Leeds, a place filled with happy memories for me, from the days when I brought my children and their friends to see the animals.

Run by Leeds City Council, the award-winning rare-breed conservation farm - in the shadow of the historic Temple Newsam House - allows visitors to come face-to-face with a variety of farm animals including pigs, goats, donkeys, cows and chickens.

Centred in a cluster of barns, visitors can watch animals as they eat, sleep and play, with some - including the cheeky piglets - running beneath your feet as they escape the confines of their sty.

The piglets had not long been born, as the blackboard above their sty described, with the parents of various litters being saddlebacks Sky and Star, as well as boar Oleg and sows Aero and Elfin.

The Toulouse geese - a French breed originally from the area of Toulouse in south-western France - looked comical as they shifted their bulk towards the stables.

This time I was not with my children, but my friend Betty, who at 87 was just as excited about the creatures as my daughters used to be.

She whipped out her camera and captured the piglets, their trotters dainty like pointe shoes, scampering across the cobbles.

We met two friendly donkeys, who came to the front of their stable to say hello, and we scratched the heads of some cheeky goats. It was nice to see the care and attention given to the resident animals, with piles of fresh straw in each stable.

An inquisitive turkey eyed us curiously as we walked alongside their enclosure.

I loved the calves, who came over and licked my hand. My favourites, the Belted Galloways, were together at the back of the barn. The farm is home to a herd of Veynol cattle, the rarest breed in the world, with fewer than 150 breeding animals registered in the UK. In 1989 there was only one existing herd, which was bought by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and remains here at Temple Newsam.

As well as the animals, there are many exhibits in the various farm buildings, including old farm machinery and farming implements, as well as a saw mill with giant blades used to cut wood.

There’s a working blacksmith’s which is really interesting, with the tools of the trade used by Simon the blacksmith lining the walls. On special event days visitors to the farm can enjoy traditional crafts, activities and demonstrations, such as blacksmithing and butter making.

I especially liked the cosy farm office with its log books and old-fashioned typewriter. Climb a flight of stairs and you can see a recreated farmhouse kitchen and dining room.

Opposite, the brick dovecot is a fascinating building, once home to 1,200 pairs of birds. The hundreds of nesting holes were rediscovered when partitions put up to make the dovecot into a cottage in the 1920s were stripped away.

Young children can let off a little steam in the playground or clamber on a tractor.

After your visit you can pop into the large, comfortable cafe in Stable Courtyard, offering light meals and snacks. There’s seating outside for milder days. The courtyard is also home to gift shops and public toilets.

The estate has extensive grounds designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown for the 9th Viscount Irwin in the 1760s. In spring the rhododendrons are magnificent, and the far-reaching views across the surrounding countryside are superb.

There is ample car parking, including a large, free car park near Home Farm, as well as a patrolled car park with charges, except for blue badge holders.

Activities are held over the school holidays. For more information, visit leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays.