Lead your own halter-trained alpaca on a guided two-hour walk at Itchen Valley Country Park, just a short drive from Bishopstoke.
Bishopstoke sits right on the Itchen Navigation, and it's a village that already knows how to enjoy a good riverside walk — the towpath into Eastleigh and Riverside Park sees a steady stream of dog walkers, joggers and prams most mornings. What it doesn't have on its doorstep, until now, is the chance to swap the lead for a halter and walk alongside something rather more unusual than a Labrador. A few minutes down Allington Lane, at Itchen Valley Country Park, that's exactly what's on offer.
Our guided alpaca walks take place across the meadows and woodland trails of Itchen Valley Country Park, a stretch of parkland that shares the same river valley Bishopstoke residents already walk every week. The difference is your company: you'll be handed the lead rope for one of our own halter-trained alpacas, chosen to suit your group, and you'll walk it yourself for the full two hours under the guidance of one of our experienced handlers. There's no queueing behind other visitors and no rushing — each walk is small enough that everyone gets proper time with their alpaca before, during and after.
It's a short, easy drive — out along Bishopstoke Road, over toward Fair Oak or through Allbrook, and onto Allington Lane in West End, with free on-site parking at the park. Most Bishopstoke visitors are pulling into the car park inside fifteen minutes, which makes this an easy midweek or weekend booking rather than a full day trip.
You'll meet your alpaca and handler, get a quick briefing on handling the lead and reading your alpaca's body language, then head out across the park's open fields and quieter wooded sections. Alpacas are naturally curious and generally calm, but every animal has its own personality — our handlers will match you with one suited to your group, whether that's a confident adult walker or a family with younger children sharing a lead. There's plenty of time for photos, and most groups finish the walk having learned a fair bit about alpaca care along the way.
Weekend slots are the first to go, particularly during school holidays, so if you're planning a birthday outing or a weekend activity for visiting family, book a couple of weeks ahead where you can. We run an accessible walk every Wednesday between April and October with free carer tickets, and rescheduling insurance is available for £4.50 if British weather is a concern. Gift vouchers are also available if you'd rather give the walk as a present to someone nearby.