A drizzly forecast doesn't cancel the fun: our alpaca walks at Itchen Valley Country Park run in most weathers, and the alpacas are surprisingly unbothered by rain.
Hampshire has its share of grey skies, and plenty of people put off a day out because the forecast shows a cloud with raindrops. With alpacas, that instinct is worth challenging. These animals come from the high Andes, where weather is far wilder than a Hampshire shower, and their dense fleece is built to shed water. On a damp morning at Itchen Valley Country Park you'll find the herd calmly grazing, ears up, entirely unfussed.
Rain changes the character of the walk rather than spoiling it. The meadows smell of wet grass, the woodland canopy drips softly, and the country park is far quieter than on a sunny bank holiday. Your alpaca has your undivided attention, and so does your handler, who can spend a little longer answering questions about fleece, feeding and personalities. Many of our walkers tell us the misty, moody mornings are the ones they remember.
The two-hour guided walk starts at the same place, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ, and you still lead your own halter-trained alpaca alongside an experienced handler. We only ever reshape or move a session when conditions are genuinely unsafe, such as high winds or lightning. Light and steady rain is simply part of a countryside day out. If you'd like peace of mind, rescheduling insurance is available for £4.50.
A waterproof jacket, sturdy footwear that can get muddy and a spare pair of socks in the car are all you really need. Kids in wellies and puddle-ready trousers tend to have the time of their lives, and children aged 3 to 12 share a lead with an adult. We are a family-run business with 16 years of experience, BAS-registered, and more than 40 alpacas, so there's always a friendly face to lead.
Walks start from £32 per person, with family packages from £92 and baby alpaca walks from £54. Extra walkers are £18. Book online, or call 0333 050 4012 if you'd like to talk through the forecast first.