If you live in Hythe, Fawley, Dibden or anywhere along the Waterside, you are used to big skies, shipping lanes and sea air. A walk with alpacas is a very different sort of outing, and one that more and more local people are choosing for birthdays, family weekends and quiet days with friends. Here is what to expect.
Planning the journey
We are based at Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ. Drivers from Hythe will usually head round the top of Southampton Water through Totton and onto the M27. Journey times vary with traffic, so leave a little extra time for a weekend morning and arrive in good time to meet your handler. Parking is on site. If you would rather leave the car at home, the ferry across to Southampton is a lovely start to the day, though you will need a taxi or other onward transport from the city.
What happens on the day
After a short introduction you meet your alpaca, learn how to hold the lead, and then set off with your handler for roughly two hours of gentle walking. Our alpacas are halter-trained and used to visitors. Expect plenty of stopping, stroking and photographs. The terrain is mostly flat country-park paths, so you do not need to be especially fit.
Who is it for?
Almost everybody. Children aged 3 to 12 share a lead with an adult, while 12 to 16 year olds can lead their own animal with an adult present. Over 16s walk independently. Our alpaca walking near Hythe page has the full details. If mobility is a concern, ask about our accessible walks, which run every Wednesday between April and October with free carer tickets.
What to wear
- Sturdy shoes or wellies, as paths can be muddy after rain
- Layers, because coastal mornings in Hythe are often warmer or cooler than West End
- A waterproof if the forecast is doubtful
- A camera or phone you are happy to use one-handed
Prices
Walks start from £32 per person. Family packages begin at £92, baby alpaca walks from £54, and an extra walker is £18. Rescheduling insurance costs £4.50 and is worth considering for autumn and winter dates when the weather can change plans. Gift vouchers are available if you are buying for someone else.
Why local people love it
A family-run herd of more than 40 alpacas, looked after for 16 years by a BAS-registered team, means the animals are relaxed and the handlers know them individually. For many Hythe families it becomes a regular treat rather than a one-off.
How to book
Choose a date on our online calendar, or phone 0333 050 4012 and we will happily help. Bring a friend, bring the grandchildren, and give yourself a morning away from the water.
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Article title: A Day Out from Hythe: Your Guide to Walking with Alpacas
If you live in Hythe, Fawley, Dibden or anywhere along the Waterside, you are used to big skies, shipping lanes and sea air. A walk with alpacas is a very different sort of outing, and one that more and more local people are choosing for birthdays, family weekends and quiet days with friends. Here is what to expect.
Planning the journey
We are based at Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ. Drivers from Hythe will usually head round the top of Southampton Water through Totton and onto the M27. Journey times vary with traffic, so leave a little extra time for a weekend morning and arrive in good time to meet your handler. Parking is on site. If you would rather leave the car at home, the ferry across to Southampton is a lovely start to the day, though you will need a taxi or other onward transport from the city.
What happens on the day
After a short introduction you meet your alpaca, learn how to hold the lead, and then set off with your handler for roughly two hours of gentle walking. Our alpacas are halter-trained and used to visitors. Expect plenty of stopping, stroking and photographs. The terrain is mostly flat country-park paths, so you do not need to be especially fit.
Who is it for?
Almost everybody. Children aged 3 to 12 share a lead with an adult, while 12 to 16 year olds can lead their own animal with an adult present. Over 16s walk independently. Our alpaca walking near Hythe page has the full details. If mobility is a concern, ask about our accessible walks, which run every Wednesday between April and October with free carer tickets.
What to wear
- Sturdy shoes or wellies, as paths can be muddy after rain
- Layers, because coastal mornings in Hythe are often warmer or cooler than West End
- A waterproof if the forecast is doubtful
- A camera or phone you are happy to use one-handed
Prices
Walks start from £32 per person. Family packages begin at £92, baby alpaca walks from £54, and an extra walker is £18. Rescheduling insurance costs £4.50 and is worth considering for autumn and winter dates when the weather can change plans. Gift vouchers are available if you are buying for someone else.
Why local people love it
A family-run herd of more than 40 alpacas, looked after for 16 years by a BAS-registered team, means the animals are relaxed and the handlers know them individually. For many Hythe families it becomes a regular treat rather than a one-off.
How to book
Choose a date on our online calendar, or phone 0333 050 4012 and we will happily help. Bring a friend, bring the grandchildren, and give yourself a morning away from the water.
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