🦙 Alpaca Walking FAQ

Your complete guide to alpaca experiences at Itchen Valley Country Park, Hampshire

Book Your Experience
💷 Booking & Prices 🚶 What to Expect 📋 Practical Info 🎁 Gift Vouchers ♿ Accessibility 👥 Groups & Events 🦙 About Alpacas 📍 Location

💰 Current Prices at a Glance

1 person, 1 alpaca£32
2 people, 1 alpaca£45
2 people, 2 alpacas£62
2 adults, 1 child, 1 alpaca£64
Family 2+2, 2 alpacas£92
Family 2+3, 2 alpacas£102
1 person, 1 cria (baby)£54
2 people, 1 cria (baby)£60
Family 2+2, 2 cria£118
Family 2+3, 2 cria£130
Llama keeper, 2 people£95
Extra walker£18

🎉 15% family discount on family tickets · Rescheduling insurance £4.50 · Parking £3.30–£5.30

💷 Booking & Pricing

How much does alpaca walking cost at Hensting Alpacas?

Our prices start from £32 for a solo walk with 1 alpaca. See the full price grid above for all ticket types. A 15% family discount is available on family tickets — simply tick the family discount box at checkout. Optional rescheduling insurance costs £4.50. Parking at Itchen Valley Country Park is £3.30 short stay or £5.30 full day.

See full pricing and book online →

What is the age policy for alpaca walking?
  • Babies under 3: Free. Must be in a secure baby carrier/sling — no pushchairs on the trail.
  • Ages 3–12: Paid ticket required. A dedicated adult MUST walk alongside holding a second lead on the same alpaca at all times.
  • Ages 12–16: May lead their own alpaca with an adult present.
  • Ages 16+: May walk independently.

Parents of children under 8 must sign a safety consent form on arrival. Children will receive identifying wristbands. Staff may require immediate removal if safety concerns arise.

How do I book an alpaca walk?

Payment is processed securely by card. You'll receive e-tickets by email immediately after booking. Advance booking is essential — we frequently sell out, especially on weekends and school holidays.

Can I reschedule my alpaca walk if I'm ill?
  • With rescheduling insurance (£4.50): Change your booking up to 2 hours before for illness or emergencies
  • Without insurance: No refunds or rescheduling — bookings are valid for the booked date only
  • Weather cancellations: If we cancel due to severe weather you can rebook within 3 months
  • Late arrivals: Treated as no-shows with no refund

We strongly recommend adding the £4.50 insurance when booking — it's excellent value for peace of mind.

What time should I arrive?
  • Morning walks: Arrive by 9:55 AM — gates close at start time
  • Afternoon walks: Arrive by 1:25 PM — gates close at start time
  • Late arrivals: Treated as no-shows with no refund or reschedule

Look for the Hensting Alpacas feather flag in the first car park on the left. What3Words: ///shady.goes.down

How far in advance should I book?
  • Weekends: Several weeks ahead — these sell out fast
  • School holidays: 4–6 weeks in advance
  • Midweek: More availability, often bookable a few days ahead
  • Baby alpaca cria walks: Book very early — most popular experience, February–October

Our live calendar shows real-time availability so you'll always see what's free.

🚶 What to Expect

How long does an alpaca walk last?
  • Morning walks: 120 minutes (10:00 AM–12:00 PM)
  • Afternoon walks: 90 minutes (1:30 PM–3:00 PM) — Fridays & Saturdays, March–October
  • Accessible walks: 90 minutes (Wednesdays 10:00–11:30 AM)
  • Llama Keeper experience: Approximately 3 hours (9:00 AM–12:00 PM)

Time includes your safety briefing, meeting your alpaca, the walk itself, and photo opportunities.

What exactly happens on an alpaca walk?
  1. Welcome & safety briefing: Our guides introduce the experience and explain how to safely handle an alpaca
  2. Meet your alpaca: You're matched with a friendly alpaca — each has their own personality!
  3. The walk: A gentle trek through the beautiful trails of Itchen Valley Country Park
  4. Wildlife spotting: Look out for deer, herons, kingfishers and more
  5. Photo opportunities: Plenty of stops for memorable pictures
  6. Educational talk: Learn fascinating facts about alpacas and their care

It's a peaceful, magical experience suitable for all ages and abilities.

Do I actually lead the alpaca?

Yes! You hold a lead rope and guide your alpaca along the trails using a halter. Alpacas prefer a calm, steady pace. They're naturally curious and will often walk alongside you like a companion — though they may stop for a grass snack along the way! Our team is always nearby to help if needed.

Can I walk with baby alpacas (cria)?
  • When available: February to October
  • Pricing: From £54 (1 person) or £60 (2 people sharing)
  • Family cria walks: From £118 (2 adults, 2 kids, 2 baby alpacas)
  • A special experience: Baby alpacas are playful, slower-paced, and incredibly adorable
  • Adoption: You can adopt your favourite cria after the walk!

Cria walks are our most popular experience — book early to avoid disappointment.

Are alpacas friendly and safe?

Absolutely. Our alpacas are gentle, well-trained, and used to human company. They enjoy gentle petting on the neck and sides. Our experienced team will show you exactly how to interact with your alpaca companion safely. As with any animal, unpredictable behaviour can occasionally occur — that's why we have clear safety guidelines in place.

📋 Practical Information

What should I wear for alpaca walking?
  • Footwear: Sturdy shoes, walking boots or wellies — no flip-flops or heels. Wellies available to hire.
  • Clothing: Weather-appropriate layers for the outdoors
  • Wet weather: Waterproofs strongly recommended
  • Avoid: Loose, flowing clothing that might startle the alpacas
  • Summer: Hat and sunscreen on warm days

You'll be outside for 90–120 minutes walking on countryside paths.

What happens if it rains?

We walk in all weather conditions including light rain. Only severe weather (lightning, extreme wind, flooding) results in cancellation — you'll be notified by 7:30 AM. Bring waterproofs and wellies, which are also available to hire on site. Alpacas are perfectly happy in the rain!

Is there parking at Itchen Valley Country Park?
  • Short stay: £3.30
  • Full day: £5.30
  • Blue Badge holders: Free after validation
  • Coach parking: Available for large groups

Look for the Hensting Alpacas feather flag in the first car park on the left. What3Words: ///shady.goes.down

Can I bring my dog?

No, dogs cannot join alpaca walks as they naturally stress the alpacas. Itchen Valley Country Park does have excellent dog-walking trails where your pet can enjoy a walk while you're with the alpacas.

Are there toilet and café facilities?
  • Clean toilets: Near the car park and visitor centre, including wheelchair-accessible and baby changing
  • Café: Food and drinks available in the park
  • Gift shop: Alpaca gifts and souvenirs

🎁 Gift Vouchers

Do you offer alpaca walking gift vouchers?

Yes! Our gift vouchers are incredibly popular for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and corporate gifts. Vouchers start from £32 (solo walk) and go up to £130 (family cria walk). Buy gift vouchers online →

How long are vouchers valid and how are they delivered?
  • Validity: 12 months from purchase
  • Delivery: Instant email — perfect for last-minute gifts
  • Format: Print at home or show on your phone
  • Redemption: Enter the voucher code when booking online
  • Valid for: All walk types — morning, afternoon, cria, accessible, and llama keeper
What voucher prices are available?
  • Solo alpaca walk: £32
  • Couple's walk (2 people, 1 alpaca): £45
  • Family walk (2+2, 2 alpacas): £92
  • Baby alpaca cria walk (1 person): £54
  • Baby alpaca cria walk (2 people): £60
  • Family cria walk (2+2): £118
  • Llama keeper experience (2 people): £95
  • Value vouchers: £10, £20, £30 or £50

See all voucher options →

♿ Accessibility

Do you offer accessible alpaca walks?
  • When: Every Wednesday, 10:00–11:30 AM
  • Designed for: Visitors with mobility needs, autism, visual impairments, learning disabilities, or other requirements
  • Smaller groups: Fewer participants for a calmer, more supportive environment
  • Free carer tickets: Available for essential carers
  • Flat accessible terrain: Routes chosen for wheelchair and mobility aid use
Are your trails wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Itchen Valley Country Park has over 5km of surfaced, accessible pathways. We can adapt routes to avoid steep sections. Wheelchair-accessible parking, toilets and rest areas are all available throughout the park.

Are alpacas good for people with learning disabilities or autism?

Absolutely. Alpacas are naturally peaceful and therapeutic to be around. Walking one successfully is very rewarding, and the soft fleece provides a calming sensory experience. Our team is experienced with special needs groups and schools — the results are always remarkable. We regularly host visits from support groups and see wonderful outcomes.

👥 Groups & Corporate Events

Can you accommodate corporate team building events?

Yes! Alpaca experiences make fantastic team building. Being with alpacas is naturally stress-relieving and the shared experience creates lasting bonds. It's inclusive, suitable for all fitness levels, and your team will talk about it for months. We welcome companies from across Hampshire, London, Surrey, Brighton and the wider South.

Are you suitable for school trips?
  • Curriculum links: Animal care, geography, life cycles, farming
  • All ages welcome: Children 3–12 must have a dedicated adult holding a second lead
  • Risk assessments: Full documentation provided for schools
  • Supervision ratios: Adults must be able to walk alongside children with alpacas

Contact us for educational group pricing and arrangements.

Can I book a private alpaca walking session?

Yes! Private sessions are available for romantic experiences (proposals, anniversaries), milestone birthdays, photography sessions, and corporate exclusives. Subject to availability and additional charges. Contact us early to discuss your requirements.

🦙 About Our Alpacas

Do alpacas spit at people?

Very rarely. Alpacas mainly spit at other alpacas over food disputes. Our well-socialised herd is used to humans and in over 10 years of walking experiences it's extremely rare for visitors to be spat at. If it happens, it was almost certainly accidental — they were probably aiming at another alpaca!

How many alpacas do you have?

We have over 40 alpacas — a diverse mix of ages from baby crias to mature adults, both Huacaya and Suri breeds, and a wonderful range of colours including white, brown, grey, black and mixed. Each alpaca has its own personality and you'll be matched with the perfect companion for your walk.

Where do alpacas come from?

Alpacas originate from the high Andes Mountains of South America — Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile — where they were domesticated by the Incas over 6,000 years ago. They were first imported to Britain in the 1980s. Our Hampshire alpacas seem to prefer the gentler climate here compared to the harsh high-altitude Andes!

Can I buy alpacas from Hensting Alpacas?

Yes! We occasionally have BAS-registered alpacas for sale. An alpaca walk is a great way to see if ownership is right for you. Check our alpacas for sale page or contact us to discuss your requirements. We also offer starter packages and ongoing support for new alpaca owners throughout the UK.

What do alpacas eat — can I feed them?

Alpacas are herbivores. Their main diet is fresh grass and quality hay, supplemented with specialist alpaca feed pellets. We don't allow visitors to feed treats as it can upset their digestion and make them pushy. You'll likely see them stop for a quick grass snack during your walk — that's perfectly normal and all part of the charm!

📍 Location & How to Find Us

Where exactly is Hensting Alpacas?
  • Address: Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton SO30 3HQ
  • What3Words: ///shady.goes.down
  • Near: 15 minutes from Southampton, Winchester, and Eastleigh
  • Setting: 440-acre award-winning country park with 16 Green Flag Awards

Look for our feather flag in the first car park on the left after entering the park.

How do I get there from major cities?
  • From London: ~1.5 hours via M3 Junction 5, then A27 to West End
  • From Brighton: ~1 hour via A27 and M27
  • From Portsmouth: ~30 minutes via M27
  • From Winchester: ~15 minutes via A34
  • From Bournemouth: ~1 hour via M27
  • From Reading: ~45 minutes via M4 and M3
Is there public transport?
  • Train: Southampton Central or Eastleigh Station (3 miles)
  • From Southampton: 10-minute train to Eastleigh, then taxi (~£8)
  • Local buses: Services to West End village, then short taxi

Car travel is easiest if available. Contact us for detailed public transport directions.

What else can we do at Itchen Valley Country Park?
  • Go Ape: High ropes, zip lines, and axe throwing in the treetops
  • Play areas: 6 nature-inspired play areas for all ages
  • Walking trails: Over 5km of accessible paths through ancient woodland
  • Wildlife: Deer, herons, kingfishers and otters along the River Itchen
  • Café & facilities: Food, drinks, toilets, and baby changing
  • Parkrun: Every Saturday morning

Many families arrive for an alpaca walk then spend the afternoon exploring the park!

🦙 Ready for Your Alpaca Adventure?

Join thousands of happy visitors who've experienced the magic of alpaca walking at Itchen Valley Country Park, Hampshire.

📞 0333 050 4012  ·  📧 info@alpacas-hampshire.co.uk  ·  📍 Itchen Valley Country Park, SO30 3HQ

🤔 Still Have Questions?

Don't see your question answered here? We're always happy to help!

Call 0333 050 4012 or email info@alpacas-hampshire.co.uk

We love talking about alpacas and helping plan your perfect Hampshire visit!