Alpaca acres

You're standing in an Essex field watching a herd of alpacas amble towards you with that unmistakable curious tilt of their heads. Alpaca Acres, just outside Colchester, is exactly what it sounds like - a working alpaca farm where you can get properly up close with these surprisingly appealing animals. The experience centres on meeting the herd, learning a bit about how they're raised, and yes, feeding them if the mood takes you. It's low-key stuff, nothing flashy, which is precisely why it works.

Families with younger children tend to get the most out of a visit here. There's something about alpacas that just clicks with kids - they're funny-looking without being scary, gentle enough to handle, and genuinely interactive. Adults who fancy a break from screen time find it oddly therapeutic too. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper afternoon of it; rush it and you'll miss the point.

The farm sits well within reach of several good holiday parks. Teybrook Orchard, less than a mile away, is the closest base - perfect if you want to squeeze in a quick alpaca visit between campfire meals. Woodchests Glamping and Rushbanks Farm both offer more space and facilities if you're staying put for longer.

It's a decent addition to a park holiday in the Colchester area rather than a destination in itself. Factor in a local walk or a trip to Colchester's Roman ruins to make a full day of it. Check ahead for opening times and admission costs before you go - details aren't widely advertised online.