Meet the animals at Southlands Farm

We’re a working farm (in addition to running the self catering cottages) and that means our animals are as much a part of the family as, well, the rest of the family! They’re all friendly and if you’d like to meet them, feel free to ask us for a tour and an introduction.

Dexters At Southlands

Dexter Cattle: A Perfect Fit for Southlands Farm

Dexter cattle, known for their small size and hardy nature, first arrived at Southlands Farm in 2008. The initial herd consisted of three yearling heifers, Valentine, Celtic, and Mini, whose genes continue to shape the farm’s Dexter population.

Why Dexters?

Our choice of Dexter cattle was influenced by their low environmental impact, particularly on our free-draining soil. This allows them to graze outdoors year-round. Additionally, Dexters are renowned for their excellent mothering abilities and high-quality meat.

The Search for the Perfect Herd

After extensive research and visits to various Dexter herds, we discovered the ideal three-year-old heifers in Cumbria. Despite the challenging journey, the heifers quickly adapted to their new home at Southlands Farm.

Expanding the Herd

Over the years, we’ve carefully expanded our Dexter herd through strategic purchases, including cows, calves, and a young bull. Today, Southlands Farm boasts approximately 30 head of Dexter cattle.

A Passion for Dexters

Our experience with Dexter cattle has been incredibly rewarding. These gentle creatures have not only become valuable assets to our farm but have also enriched our lives. We invite you to visit Southlands Farm to meet our Dexter herd and learn more about this fascinating breed.

Chickens   

We usually have egg-laying hens of different varieties on the farm who produce cream, brown and blue eggs for us and our guests welcome baskets. Though sometimes they don’t lay in the winter. 

Horses 

Southlands is home to two large chestnuts Barnaby and Trio, who belong to Charles and Rosie they are very friendly. Fancy bringing your horse on holiday with you? We have stables and paddocks which can be made available to guests wishing to bring their horse. Southlands Farm could be a perfect base for Belsay Horsetrials. Contact Dee and Charles for prices and information.