By DAVID COULTER

Last updated 13:32, Thursday, 14 August 2008

IT is no surprise that you are met with a sea of smiling faces on arrival at the world’s only Highland cattle centre.

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Open throughout the year, The Highland Cattle Centre, based at Dere Street Farm, Stocksfield, is the perfect day out for the whole family.

Owned and run by husband and wife team, Richard and Marianne Halford, together with their son, Ed, the business has blossomed since it opened just 18 months ago.

Although the thought of farm animals standing in a field may not interest many people, getting up close and personal to the beasts offers a thrilling experience to visitors.

Boasting one of the largest folds of Highland cattle in the UK, the centre's cattle naturally take centre stage at the family run attraction.

Meanwhile, the informative and friendly staff are always on hand to provide guests with interesting animal-related nuggets of information.

For example, did you know that a group of Highland cattle is referred to as a fold, and not a herd? The staff do, and they're eager to pass such information on.

The collection of “shaggy coos”, as they are affectionately known by many, can be seen grazing on the rolling hills of the 59-acre farm.

The distinctive pointed horns and the tousled red coats of the Highland cow make it an interesting subject for visitors to ponder over.

And there is nothing these surprisingly gentle creatures like better than having those colourful coats combed out by visitors.

A particular crowd favourite is Kate, who has been at the farm since the Halfords bought it. She gave birth to a calf just last week and visitors are able to comb both beasts.

The arrival of the centre's latest addition was even more special, as Kate's calf was the 100th cow to be born at the farm in the last 11 years.

Another favourite with the children is Doughall the bull, who this week enjoyed a real taste of stardom when he had a trot on part in popular TV drama Heartbeat.

The bull was taken to Yorkshire on Wednesday to film an episode in which viewers will see him being loaded out of a lorry after it's stopped by police.

The Halfords originally bought the Dere Street Farm in 1997, keeping Highland cattle as a hobby, and it wasn't until 2006 that they decided to turn their fold into a tourist attraction.

The quality of cattle at the centre is plain to see, but the farm doesn't just breed Highland cows – there are a number of other animals for visitors to see, feed and even cuddle.

Sheep, ponies, goats and even two alpacas can be petted and fed, but it's advisable to give the centre's pigs – particularly the Gloucester Oldspots with their sharp teeth – a wide berth.

Although Richard and Marianne have always insisted on stocking predominantly native farm animals, they did make an exception for two Kune Kune pigs from New Zealand.

They arrived at the centre purely by chance after a woman in Yorkshire rang to say she was throwing her husband – and his animals – out of the house.

Armed with a trailer Richard dashed down to rescue the animals the next day, picking up the Maori pigs, 20 ducks, three chickens and three geese.

Feeling a little like Old MacDonald, he returned to his Tynedale farm, where the animals have lived ever since, alongside the cattle, farm animals and the centre's rabbits, guinea pigs, chipmunks, ferrets and poultry housed in its Pets Corner.

To complement the attractions on site there's also a children's play area, Shetland pony rides, and a farm shop and tea room where beef from the cows bred on the farm is sold.

The “as natural as nature intended” meat can be sampled in the tea room, which is a perfect place for parents to relax while their children explore the farm.

Although the centre is aimed primarily at children, its attractions appeal to all ages, as Richard and Marianne are keen to make the centre accessible to all.

To that end they already have a mobility scooter which is available free of charge to disabled visitors, and in the coming months they're planning to lay new paths to the different animal pens and fields to make the entire site more readily accessible.

l The Highland Cattle Centre is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm until the end of October. From November to February it is open at the weekend only.