Family Days Out Hampshire — Complete Hampshire Guide
Planning a family day out in Hampshire that actually works — something that holds the attention of a 6-year-old AND a 66-year-old, doesn't require a two-hour drive, and produces a memory rather than a receipt — is harder than it sounds. A guided alpaca walk at Hensting Alpacas at Itchen Valley Country Park near Southampton does all of these things. This guide covers what makes an alpaca walk the kind of family day out that gets mentioned at the school gate the following Monday, what ages it works best for, how to combine it with everything else Itchen Valley Country Park offers, and how to book.
What Is an Alpaca Walk at Hensting Alpacas?
A guided alpaca walk at Hensting Alpacas involves meeting your own alpaca companion, learning how to walk them with a halter, and setting off on a 2-hour circular route through Itchen Valley Country Park's ancient woodland and water meadows. The walk covers approximately one mile on level, surfaced paths alongside the River Itchen, led by an experienced handler throughout. It is not a zoo visit or a petting session — you are the handler, walking your alpaca at a gentle countryside pace for the full two hours.
Why Family Days Out Hampshire Is a Special Time to Visit
Hampshire has no shortage of family day-out options — but the category tends to cluster around the same handful of choices: Marwell Zoo, the New Forest, Go Ape, the Science Museum in London if you're willing to drive. What makes a guided alpaca walk at Hensting Alpacas genuinely different is that children are not passive spectators. From around age 5 upward, they are given their own alpaca on a lead rope and are responsible for walking that animal through the grounds of Itchen Valley Country Park. Alpacas have distinct personalities — some are bold, some are shy, some are inexplicably fascinated by children's wellington boots — and the two hours consistently produce the kind of unscripted family moments that parents talk about for months afterwards.
What to Expect on the Day
Family alpaca walks at Hensting Alpacas are available year-round at Itchen Valley Country Park, West End, SO30 3HQ. Priced from £32 per person. The walk is suitable for all ages from approximately 5 upward, and the country park grounds offer additional space for picnics, wildlife spotting along the Itchen Navigation, and exploration after the walk. Parking is available from £1.30/hour. Book in advance — family group slots on weekend mornings and school holiday dates fill 2–4 weeks ahead throughout spring and summer. Call 0333 050 4012 or book online.
How Much Does an Alpaca Walk Cost?
Alpaca walks at Hensting Alpacas start from £32 per person. Family tickets and group pricing are available — see the booking page for current pricing by session type. Gift vouchers are available from £32, valid for 12 months, and delivered instantly by email.
Age Requirements & Accessibility
All ages are welcome. Children aged 3–12 walk alongside an adult who holds the second lead on the same alpaca. Children 12–16 may lead independently with an adult present. Infants are welcome in baby carriers — no pushchairs permitted. Accessible Wednesday walks (10:00–11:30am, April–October) are designed for all abilities with free carer tickets.
How to Get There
Hensting Alpacas is located at Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ. Approximately 10 minutes from Southampton and Eastleigh, 25 minutes from Winchester, 35 minutes from Portsmouth. Parking from £1.30/hour; free Blue Badge parking.
Book Your Walk
Advance booking is essential. Book online via our booking page or call 0333 050 4012. See all our seasonal alpaca events for additional experiences at Hensting Alpacas throughout the year.