Whiteley isn't short of places to spend a Saturday, but if you're after something that gets you outdoors and off your phone for a couple of hours, an alpaca walk with Hensting Alpacas is worth putting on the list. Here's what you need to know before you book.
How far is it, really?
Not far at all. From Whiteley it's about 15-20 minutes down the M27 to Itchen Valley Country Park in West End, Southampton (SO30 3HQ). Coming off at Junction 9 avoids any need to head into the city centre, and there's on-site parking once you arrive. It's the kind of trip that fits neatly either side of lunch, or as a standalone outing if you're looking for something to fill a weekend morning.
What actually happens on an alpaca walk?
You'll meet the herd first – we're a family-run, BAS-registered farm with over 40 alpacas and sixteen years of experience, so there's always a mix of ages and personalities to say hello to. Once you've been matched with a halter-trained alpaca, one of our handlers walks the route with your group, showing you how to hold the lead and keeping an eye on things throughout. The walk itself takes you through woodland and open parkland within Itchen Valley Country Park, and the whole experience, including time with the herd beforehand, runs to roughly two hours.
Who can take part
This is genuinely a walk for most ages. Children between 3 and 12 share a lead with an adult, those aged 12-16 can hold the lead themselves with an adult nearby, and anyone over 16 walks independently. We also run accessible walks every Wednesday from April through October, with free carer tickets, so it's worth asking if that's relevant to your group. Baby alpaca walks are available too if you'd like to meet our newest arrivals specifically.
What to wear and bring
Trainers or walking shoes are fine in dry weather; if it's been raining, wellies will save your socks. A coat suited to the forecast is sensible since walks go ahead in most weather short of anything severe. You don't need to bring anything for the alpacas themselves – that's all taken care of by the team.
Prices and booking
Walks start from £32 per person, with family packages from £92 and baby alpaca walks from £54. An extra walker can be added for £18, and if you'd rather have peace of mind around the British weather, rescheduling insurance is available for £4.50. Gift vouchers make a good present if you're booking on someone else's behalf rather than your own. Weekend slots, especially during school holidays, tend to go first, so it's worth booking a little ahead rather than leaving it to the week itself.
Making a day of it
Because the site is so close to Whiteley, plenty of visitors pair the walk with lunch somewhere nearby, or a stop at Whiteley Shopping Centre on the way home. It also works well as a change-of-scenery outing for anyone who spends most of their week around the retail park and motorway junctions – Itchen Valley Country Park is proper green space, and the alpacas make it feel like more of an occasion than a standard dog walk.
To check availability or book, call 0333 050 4012 or head to the Alpaca Walking near Whiteley event page for full details and the booking calendar.