Lower Bush Alpacas

You'll find yourself in proper alpaca country at Lower Bush, a working farm near Meopham where you can actually interact with these daft, long-necked creatures. They're surprisingly gentle and genuinely curious about visitors, often wandering straight up to say hello. The farm operates visits where you can feed them, take photos, and watch them do their thing - which mostly involves looking bemused and occasionally spitting if you annoy them. Allow an hour or so, maybe ninety minutes if you've got kids who want to spend forever taking selfies with the animals. It's the sort of place that works brilliantly for families with younger children, though honestly anyone who finds alpacas remotely entertaining will get a kick out of it.

The whole experience feels properly low-key, not some over-produced tourist trap. You're on a working farm, so expect mud and the occasional whiff of animal, and dress accordingly. Badgells Wood Camping sits just down the road at 3.7 miles away, making this a natural stop if you're staying in the area - your kids will remember it far longer than another heritage site, I reckon. Check ahead before you visit as opening times and booking policies vary, but it's worth the short trip from Meopham if you need something different from the usual Kent attractions.