Meet Piper and become a Llama Keeper for the day in this hands-on family experience
Join our friendly young llama Piper for an exclusive morning behind-the-scenes at Hensting Alpacas
Work one-on-one with our dedicated staff member for an exclusive hands-on experience
Start at 9:00 AM with a personal introduction to your dedicated guide and meet Piper the llama
Help feed the alpacas and Piper, learning about their dietary needs and preferences
Lay out hay and learn proper herd care with 15 minutes of light mucking out included
Take Piper for a relaxing, gentle walk around the beautiful country park grounds
Discover fun facts about llamas, alpacas, and their fascinating South American heritage
Snap photos for social media and our team's gallery - Piper loves the camera!
Enjoy a short break - bring your own snack or picnic to share with your family
Visit our shop before heading home around 12:15 PM with special llama souvenirs
Gates Close at 08:55 AM - No late entry allowed for this exclusive experience
Same beautiful location as our alpaca walks - just 15 minutes from Southampton, Winchester, and Eastleigh
Hensting Alpacas
Itchen Valley Country Park
Allington Lane, West End
Southampton, SO30 3HQ
Phone: 0333 050 4012
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Parking Costs:
Short stay: £3.30
Full day: £5.30
Look for the Alpaca sign near the first car park on arrival. Our staff will be ready to welcome you!
Clothing: Weather-appropriate outdoor clothes
Footwear: Suitable outdoor shoes
Snacks: Optional picnic for break time
Wellington boots available to hire during muddy conditions
Learn fascinating facts about llamas during your keeper experience
Llamas are members of the camelid family and were domesticated in Peru over 6,000 years ago for transport, wool, and meat.
Llamas can weigh up to 300 lbs and live around 25–30 years. They're much larger than their alpaca cousins!
Female llamas usually give birth standing up, and their babies are called "crias" just like alpaca babies.
Unlike many animals, llamas don't follow heat cycles and can breed throughout the year.
Llamas hum to communicate with each other - you might hear Piper humming during your visit!
Llamas are intelligent and can learn commands. Some are even used for therapy or as livestock guards!
While llamas can spit, it's usually reserved for other llamas - not humans! Piper is very well-mannered.
Llamas remain central to agriculture in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, where they've been companions for millennia.
Learn the key differences between llamas and alpacas during your keeper experience
Both were domesticated by ancient South American cultures and continue to be cherished worldwide for their gentle nature and usefulness.
During your experience, we encourage you to take photos - Piper is very photogenic! We also love posting to social media, so your llama adventure may be shared with our online followers.
Many families return year after year to see how Piper's grown and to meet new additions to the herd. This exclusive experience creates lasting memories that children treasure for years to come.
Book your exclusive morning with Piper and discover what it's like to be a real llama keeper
Book Your Llama Experience NowQuestions? Call 0333 050 4012 or email info@alpacas-hampshire.co.uk