Alpaca Parties, Visits & Group Sessions
Hands-on alpaca experiences for all ages and occasions – including children’s parties, SEN sessions, care home visits, hen parties, and corporate team-building days.
Set in a peaceful woodland environment, our sessions are fun, engaging, and tailored to be inclusive and memorable for everyone.​​
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Meet & Greet Parties for children under 10
A gentle, hands-on experience designed especially for younger children to enjoy spending time with our friendly alpacas.
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What to expect
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When children arrive, they’ll begin their experience by meeting the girls – our lovely female alpacas. Depending on the time of year, the group may also get to see alpaca mums-to-be or even meet some of our adorable newborns (called cria) out in the field.
We’ll chat about alpaca fleece, what makes it special, and how it’s processed at the mill. Then, the children will have the chance to hand-feed the alpacas.
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Next, we’ll head over to meet our herd of boys. After a short introduction, each child will get some one-on-one time with one of the male alpacas – perfect for a cuddle and a memorable photo.
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The alpaca experience itself lasts around 1 hour. Afterwards, there’s time to enjoy a picnic (weather permitting) and some party games – which you’re welcome to bring and set up in our picnic area.
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What's Included
​✅ Hands-on time with both female and male alpacas
✅ Alpaca fleece show and tell session
✅Hand-feeding session
✅ One-on-one alpaca time and photo opportunity
✅ Use of picnic area
✅ Decorations by the paddocks
✅ Downloadable party invitations
✅ An alpaca soft toy for each child to take home - no need to worry about party bags!
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Prices & Details
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Maximum group size: 10 children
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Minimum Booking - 4 children
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Required: 1- 2 supervising adults must attend
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Provided: 2 experienced alpaca guides
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Please note: Due to limited parking, this is a drop-off only party. (There is a Starbucks just 5 minutes away for waiting parents & siblings.)
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Food and games: Supplied by you.
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£25 per child
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Available to book March - October
This is a calm, engaging, and unforgettable party experience for young animal lovers – with plenty of opportunity to learn, laugh, and connect with our gentle herd.
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Alpaca Plod Parties (Ages 10 - 14)
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A fun, hands-on alpaca experience with a woodland walk, perfect for tweens and teens who want something different – an active, outdoor party with real connection to animals and nature.
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What to expect
Alpaca Plod Parties are ideal for children aged 10 and over who want a more active and involved experience.
The party begins with a calm introduction to our alpaca herd. Each child will be paired with their own alpaca and shown how to handle them safely and confidently. Once everyone is ready, we set off on a 45-minute guided woodland walk through the peaceful surroundings of The Darling Woods of May.
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Along the way, children will:
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Lead their alpaca along gentle woodland trails
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Learn fun facts about alpacas, their care, and behaviour
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Enjoy time outdoors with plenty of photo opportunities
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Optional picnic and games afterwards (weather permitting)
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You’re welcome to bring your own food and outdoor activities
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After the walk, there’s time to get up close with the rest of the herd, enjoy a final cuddle, and pose for individual or group photos with the alpacas.​
What's Included ​
✅ 45-minute alpaca woodland walk (one alpaca per child)
✅ Introduction to the herd and basic alpaca handling guidance
✅ Hands-on time and photo opportunities
✅ Use of the picnic area
✅ Decorations by the paddocks
✅ Downloadable party invitations
✅ An alpaca soft toy for each child to take home
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Prices & Details​
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£25 per child
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Minimum booking: 3 children
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Maximum group size: 6 children
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1 - 2 supervising adults must attend
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2 alpaca experience guides provided
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Please note: Due to limited parking, this is a drop-off only party. (There is a Starbucks just 5 minutes away for waiting parents & siblings.)
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Food and games: Supplied by you.
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Available to book March - October ​​​​
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Alpaca Parties for Teens (14+) & Adults
Corporate Team Building & Hen Parties
A fun, active, and memorable experience with alpacas – perfect for birthdays, gatherings, hen parties or team building.
What to expect
These alpaca experiences are designed for older children (14+), teenagers, and adults looking for a more interactive and hands-on experience.
The session begins with an introduction to the alpaca herd and some basic guidance on how to lead and handle your alpaca. Each guest is then paired with their own alpaca for a guided walk through the woodland – a relaxing and enjoyable way to connect with these gentle animals in a beautiful setting.
After the walk, the fun continues with our Alpaca Obstacle Course – a light-hearted challenge where each guest leads their alpaca through a simple set of obstacles. Our Alpaca Experience Guide will judge your obstacle skills and each person will be awarded a rosette. It’s a great way to build confidence, share some laughs, and enjoy the alpacas’ unique personalities.
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What's Included
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Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes plus picnic time
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Includes woodland walk + obstacle course
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Decorations specific to your event (optional)
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Rosettes for guests participating in the obstacle course
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Optional picnic time afterwards (weather permitting)
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Group Size
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Minimum booking: 3 participants (walking alpacas)
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Maximum group size: 10 participants
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Up to 4 spectators allowed per party - Spectators can:
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Watch the obstacle course
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Take photos
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Hand-feed the alpacas
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Stay for the picnic
Spectators do not take part in the walk.​
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Prices & Booking
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£30 per person walking an alpaca
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£10 per spectator
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Minimum booking: 3 people walking alpacas
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Maximum group size: 10 people including spectators
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Bring your own food and refreshments
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1 - 2 alpaca experience guides included
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Animal Assisted Therapy
Calm, private experiences designed to support individuals with additional needs through gentle interaction with alpacas.
These sessions are designed for individuals or small groups with special educational needs, additional support requirements, or those who may benefit from animal-assisted experiences. Each session is private, held in a quiet outdoor setting, and carefully tailored to the needs of the individual or group.
Guests can enjoy relaxed, unhurried time with our alpacas — including hand-feeding, gentle grooming, walking alongside them, or simply spending quiet time in their company.
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Important Information About Our Approach
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Our sessions are not delivered as formal therapy, and our staff are not counsellors or therapists. However, our team is knowledgeable and experienced, with extensive backgrounds in working with individuals with additional needs, including those with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, and vulnerable circumstances. The benefit comes from the therapeutic presence of the animals, calm surroundings, and the opportunity to connect in a peaceful outdoor environment.
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Session Details
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Duration: 1 hour experience + time for a picnic (weather permitting).
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Carers go free
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This session may include an alpaca walk too - please get in touch with us to discuss your group's requirements.
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Small Group Session: £15 per person (carers free)
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One-One Session - £35 (carer goes free).
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Private and tailored to the needs of each individual or group.
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Maximum group size: 15 including carers
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Accessibility Information
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We do not currently have disabled toilet facilities on site although are toilets are spacious.
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There is a short walk to the alpaca paddocks, with uneven or bumpy ground in places.
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Please let us know in advance if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or requires mobility support - we're happy to help with any additional needs or adaptations — just get in touch before your visit.
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Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate guide dogs in the paddock areas, but they are welcome to wait in the car park area with a supervising adult.
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These sessions are ideal for:
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Individuals with SEN or neurodiverse needs.
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Those who benefit from calm, low-pressure environments.
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Groups from support organisations, education settings, or care services.
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Anyone looking for a peaceful, meaningful connection with animals and nature.
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We’re happy to work with you to create a session that suits your needs. Please contact us to discuss how we can support your group or individual visit.
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These sessions are only available during term time only.
Alpaca Visits to Care Homes
Coming soon - October 2025
Gentle, uplifting animal encounters designed to bring comfort, stimulation, and joy to residents — right at your doorstep.
Our alpaca visits provide a calm, engaging experience that many care home residents find meaningful and memorable. Whether it’s a gentle nuzzle, a quiet moment of connection, or a visit to someone’s bedside, these sessions can be deeply beneficial — particularly for individuals living with dementia, reduced mobility, or isolation.
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How It Works
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Our alpaca care home visits are available to book from October to May. You can choose from two options:
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Outdoor Visit – We set up a calm area outside your care home where residents can come out to meet, stroke, and hand-feed the alpacas at their own pace.
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Indoor Visit – We can bring the alpacas inside your care home, including room-to-room visits for residents who may be bed-bound or unable to join a group session.
All visits are managed by experienced handlers and designed to be safe, relaxed, and accessible for everyone.
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Why Alpacas?
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Alpacas are ideal animals for therapeutic visits due to their calm, non-threatening nature and natural curiosity.
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Animal-assisted interaction has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood – especially among older adults and those living with dementia.
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Our alpacas are specifically trained for animal-assisted therapy, and are confident, quiet, and gentle – they’re what we call "bomb-proof", meaning they’re calm around medical equipment, wheelchairs, unexpected noises, and new environments.
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Alpacas are clean and hypoallergenic – they have soft padded feet (not hooves), do not carry strong odours, and only toilet in designated areas, meaning they will not go to the toilet indoors.
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These visits often spark smiles, conversation, and reminiscence, and create positive emotional responses that can last well beyond the visit itself.
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Important Information
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We are fully insured and hold a valid Animal Activities (Exhibition) Licence from the local authority.
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All visits are led by experienced handlers, trained in Autism awareness and working with vulnerable people.
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Visits can be tailored to suit your residents’ needs, physical abilities, or care requirements.
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Booking Information
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Available: October – April
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Locations: Indoor or outdoor setup at your care home
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Duration and format can be adapted depending on your requirements
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Please contact us to discuss availability, pricing, and how we can personalise your session​
Home Education Groups,
Youth Groups, DofE
Brownies, Guides, Scouts & Cubs​
Hands-on outdoor learning and unforgettable animal encounters for Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, and home education groups.
We offer fun, interactive alpaca experiences in a beautiful woodland setting — perfect for youth groups seeking outdoor education, skill-building, and a meaningful connection with nature.
Children and young people can meet, lead, and learn about alpacas in a safe, natural environment. Sessions are age-appropriate, designed to build teamwork, confidence, and curiosity about animals, wildlife, and the natural world.
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What’s Included
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Meet and hand-feed our friendly alpacas
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Learn about how alpacas are cared for and how their fleece is used
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Guided alpaca walks and hands-on activities
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Den Building
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Optional games and challenges designed to suit your group’s age and ability
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Sessions tailored to support badge work or learning goals
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Make it a Campout
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Why not extend your adventure? We have plenty of space for tents.
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Raised firepits with BBQ grills available for cooking outdoors
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Over 12 acres of wild woodland to explore
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Support with badge work, including: Animal Care, Gardening & Nature, Campfire Cooking / Cook Out
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Alpaca & gardening themed activities available
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Visit our secret Harry Potter themed woodland library, build a den, enjoy a silent woodland disco, toast marshmallows and watch alpacas from your tent!
Facilities
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Tuck shop and gift shop on-site with pocket money toys and snacks
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Designated picnic areas
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Hand washing stations
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Washing up sinks
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Toilet & shower facilities (please note: we currently do not have disabled toilet facilities).
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Car park
Available to book - May, June, July, September & October. Weekends & term time only.
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Contact us to discuss your group’s needs and create a bespoke experience.
MEET THE TEAM
Bernie
The Softie
Buzz
The Cheeky One
Pockets
The baby
Alpacas all have individual personalities, excellent memories and are very inquisitive & intelligent creatures. We currently have 11 beautiful alpacas living on our site with some cria (alpaca babies) due in summer 2026.
Our alpacas love to eat out of your hands and go on alpaca plods around the woodland. We call these 'plods' because there's nothing fast about a walk with an alpaca! They love to stop and look at their surroundings, have a sniff of you, roll in a puddle or stop to eat the leaves on the trees! They really enjoy their alpaca plods and like interacting with kind humans, however, loud noises or sudden movements can sometimes make them nervous so it is best to be as calm as possible around them at all times and always listen to instructions from your guide. If large animals make you nervous, this might not be the activity for you!
​It's always best to approach an alpaca slowly and let them get to know you. They might let you stroke or rub their neck if they feel comfortable. They don't like to be petted on the head much!
​Our alpacas at the Darling Woods range in age and some are still in training - they might sometimes pull on the lead or even lie down mid-walk for a rest and a roll!
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Please note - The Darling Woods also operates as a small camping & glamping site, so there might be guests on the site or booked on your walk during your visit. If you would like to book a private alpaca experience - please choose the group ticket option when booking.
More Information
The Boring Bits
Please take some time to read the below information before arriving for your alpaca experience.
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Please check in for your activity at reception.
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Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
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Children under 10 years cannot lead an alpaca on their own.
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Please wear appropriate shoes e.g. wellies or walking boots. We will be walking on uneven ground and the fields could be very muddy. Please wear clothing that you don't mind getting a bit dirty. Please cover bare feet and legs.
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The walk will go on whatever the weather (unless severe) so please bring a waterproof coat. Please note - our alpacas are scared of umbrellas and you won't be able to take an umbrella with you on the walk!
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The Darling Woods is a 12 acre wild woodland which we do our utmost to tame as much as possible so it is safe for humans! However, we do not use pesticides on our site and you may come across poisonous plants, brambles & nettles on your walk. The ground is uneven and there may be exposed rabbit holes and other minor dangers.
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Our alpacas are very friendly and love humans but as with all animals - they can sometimes be unpredictable, especially if spooked! Alpacas, like horses, can sometimes kick. Please avoid touching their rear ends or walking too close to the back of an alpaca. If you are pregnant, please let us know on arrival.
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Always listen to the instructions given by your guide.
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Children must be supervised at all times.
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We're very sorry, dogs are not permitted on site. (We love dogs - but our alpacas don't!)
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Please note that unfortunately, our woodland and fields are not pushchair or wheelchair friendly. If you are a wheelchair user - please get in touch with us and we can tailor an experience for you.
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There are toilets and hand washing facilities on site and plenty of parking.
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The Darling Woods of May is fully licensed and insured to run alpaca experiences. Licence no, AA8261732
Cancellation Policy
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Please arrive 5 minutes before your experience start time. Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late will be considered a no-show and will not be refunded.
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You can cancel your booking for a full refund up to 5 days before the experience. After that, tickets are non-refundable.
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No refunds for no-shows.
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If we need to cancel for any reason, your ticket will be transferred to a voucher to rebook at a later date.
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