Hensting Alpacas

You'll be greeted by a herd of impossibly fluffy alpacas the moment you arrive at Hensting Alpacas, just a short drive from Southampton. These long-necked creatures are genuinely entertaining - they're curious without being aggressive, and they'll approach you with the kind of gentle inquisitiveness that makes for proper memorable photos. The experience is straightforward: you get to feed and interact with the animals, which sounds simple but actually delivers far more entertainment than you'd expect, especially if you're travelling with kids who've exhausted the usual attractions.

Walking around the paddocks, there's something quite calming about the pace of it all. The alpacas are unbothered by visitors, which means you can spend as long as you like watching them or attempting to coax them over with feed. It's the sort of place that works best on a fine day - wandering about in drizzle loses some of the appeal.

If you're staying at Sunnydale Farm Caravan Park, Bell Tent Glamping, or Mercury Holiday Park nearby, this makes an easy half-day outing. You're unlikely to spend more than a couple of hours here, so plan it as part of a broader day rather than a full expedition. It's best suited to families with younger children and anyone who finds animals relaxing rather than thrilling. Adults without kids might find an hour sufficient, but that's not really the point - this is about slowing down and enjoying something low-key, not ticking boxes.