Guided alpaca walks just down the M27 from Whiteley – lead your own halter-trained alpaca through the Itchen Valley for an unforgettable couple of hours outdoors.
If you live in or around Whiteley, you already know the drill on a free weekend: the shopping centre, a coffee, maybe a walk round the retail park. Hensting Alpacas offers something a bit different, and it's closer than you might think. From Whiteley it's a straightforward 15-20 minute drive down the M27 to Itchen Valley Country Park in West End, where our herd of more than 40 alpacas is waiting to meet you.
Whiteley has grown fast over the last decade, and with that growth has come a real appetite for things to do that don't involve a shopping trolley or a screen. An alpaca walk ticks that box neatly. You're not watching alpacas from behind a fence – you're clipped onto a halter-trained alpaca of your own, walking it through woodland and open parkland with one of our experienced handlers alongside you the whole way. It's roughly two hours door to door once you include a bit of time with the herd before you set off, which makes it an easy addition to a weekend that might also include lunch in the village or a browse of the shopping centre on the way home.
Junction 9 of the M27 puts you within easy reach of Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ – no need to fight through Southampton city centre. Sat navs handle the postcode without issue, and there's parking on site. Compared with some of the further-flung alpaca experiences dotted around the south of England, the convenience for anyone based in Whiteley, Park Gate or Titchfield is a genuine draw.
Every walk starts with an introduction to the herd so you can find out a bit about the alpaca you'll be leading – they're all named, and each has its own character, from the laid-back veterans to the cheekier youngsters. Your handler talks you through how to hold the lead rope and what to expect before you head out across the park. It's gentle exercise rather than a hike, so trainers and a coat suited to the weather are all you need; wellies are worth packing if it's been wet.
Walks are open to all ages: children aged 3-12 share a lead with an adult, 12-16 year olds can lead with an adult present, and anyone 16 and over can walk independently. Prices start from £32 per person, with family packages from £92 and baby alpaca walks from £54 if you'd like to meet our youngest arrivals. We also run accessible walks every Wednesday between April and October, with free tickets for carers. Gift vouchers are available if you're booking for someone else, and optional rescheduling insurance is £4.50 should Hampshire weather have other ideas.
We're a family-run, BAS-registered farm with sixteen years behind us, so you're in experienced hands from the moment you arrive. Give us a call on 0333 050 4012 or book online to grab a slot – weekends fill up quickly, particularly over school holidays.