Alpaca Walking near Hythe

Hythe is one of those places that feels pleasantly apart from the rest of Hampshire. With the ferry gliding across to Southampton, the long pier and the marina on your doorstep, Waterside life tends to revolve around the water. So when a day out on dry land is called for, a guided alpaca walk at Itchen Valley Country Park makes a wonderfully different change of pace.

Getting from Hythe to the alpacas

Our walks start at Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ. From Hythe the simplest route is by car round the head of Southampton Water, via Totton and the M27, so allow a comfortable margin on busy mornings and check your satnav before setting off. Free parking is on site, and the meeting point is easy to find once you arrive. Prefer not to drive? The Hythe ferry to Town Quay gets you into Southampton, from where taxis or onward transport can take you out to West End.

What your walk involves

You will be matched with a halter-trained alpaca and shown how to lead it by an experienced handler. The walk lasts around two hours, taking in meadows, woodland edges and riverside paths. Alpacas are calm, curious and surprisingly funny characters, and most Hythe visitors tell us the slow pace is exactly the tonic after a busy week. We have more than 40 alpacas in our family-run herd, and we have been doing this for 16 years as a BAS-registered business.

Who it suits

Couples, friends, grandparents with grandchildren, and families all enjoy it. Children aged 3 to 12 share a lead with an adult, 12 to 16 year olds lead with an adult present, and anyone aged 16 or over can walk independently. Accessible walks run every Wednesday from April to October, with free carer tickets.

Prices and booking

Walks start from £32 per person, with family packages from £92 and baby alpaca walks from £54. An extra walker is £18 and rescheduling insurance is £4.50. Gift vouchers are available too, ideal for a Waterside birthday. Book online or call 0333 050 4012.