Cranfield Alpacas

You'll spot the alpacas long before you reach them - those distinctive long necks and woolly heads are unmistakable even from a distance. Cranfield Alpacas sits just outside Kilkeel, and it's one of those places that sounds a bit daft until you actually show up and realize how brilliant it is with kids.

The farm lets you get properly close to the animals. You can feed them, take photos that'll make your mates jealous, and watch them do their thing - which mostly involves looking vaguely amused at humans making fools of themselves. They're gentle creatures, though occasionally spit-prone if they're annoyed, so keep an eye on small children. The experience lasts about an hour before everyone's had their fill of alpaca-related fun.

It's family territory, really. Adults find it mildly therapeutic; kids go mad for the hands-on bits. There's something oddly calming about standing in a field with these curious, soft animals. On a decent day it beats sitting in a theme park queue by miles.

The farm sits within spitting distance of three good caravan parks - Sandilands is right on your doorstep at 0.4 miles, which makes this an easy add-on to a week in the Mournes. Combined with walks around Slieve Donard or a beach day in Kilkeel itself, it works as a pleasant half-day activity.

Bring wellingtons. The ground can be boggy, especially after rain. Check ahead for opening times and admission fees - details aren't always online, so a quick phone call saves a wasted trip.