Relaxed, wheelchair-friendly alpaca walks at Itchen Valley Country Park with free carer tickets — a calm, inclusive day out every Wednesday from April to October.
Everyone deserves the simple joy of meeting an alpaca, and at Hensting Alpacas we have shaped our Wednesday walks so that visitors with limited mobility, sensory needs or additional support requirements can take part comfortably. Set within the flat, firm, level trails of Itchen Valley Country Park at Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, our accessible sessions run every Wednesday from April through to October and are designed to move at a gentle, unhurried pace.
The country park's main paths are surfaced and largely level, which means wheelchair users, walking-frame users and anyone who tires easily can enjoy the woodland loop without steep climbs or rough ground. We keep our accessible groups smaller and slower, with plenty of natural pauses so you can simply stand with your alpaca and take in the trees, birdsong and river valley. If a full circuit feels like too much on the day, our handlers will happily shorten the route — the walk is yours to shape.
Anyone attending as a carer or personal assistant walks free of charge, so support workers and family members can be right beside the person they are helping without a second ticket. An experienced handler stays with each group throughout, so there is always a knowledgeable pair of hands nearby to steady a lead, guide an alpaca or lend reassurance. Alpacas are naturally quiet, curious and non-threatening animals, which makes them wonderfully suited to visitors who find louder or faster animals overwhelming.
Our 40-plus halter-trained alpacas are used to being led by people of all ages and abilities. There is no pressure to keep up, no crowding and no sudden surprises — just a soft-footed companion ambling alongside you. Many of our accessible guests tell us the stillness of walking with an alpaca is the most restful part of their week. Wheelchair users can hold a lead from a seated position with a handler guiding, and we will always pair you with a placid, easy-going animal.
There is level parking close to the meeting point, accessible toilets within the country park, and step-free access from the car park to where we gather. The experience lasts around two hours including a gentle introduction, the walk itself and time to feed and photograph the herd afterwards. Do let us know in advance about any specific needs — a preference for a particular alpaca, a quieter start time, or extra rest breaks — and we will plan the session around you.
Just fifteen minutes from Southampton, Winchester and Eastleigh, and easily reached from Portsmouth, Fareham, Romsey, Basingstoke and the New Forest, our accessible Wednesday walks are one of the most inclusive days out in Hampshire. Call us on 0333 050 4012 to talk through your requirements before you book.