Pine Tree Alpacas

The alpacas here are proper characters. You'll find them grazing in their paddocks near Lutterworth, and they're exactly the sort of thing that breaks up a caravan holiday nicely - especially if you've got kids who are starting to tire of museums and gift shops. Pine Tree Alpacas is straightforward enough: you come, you see the animals, you can usually get close enough for photos and a bit of interaction if the owners are about. They're funny-looking creatures up close, with their long necks and those perpetually unimpressed expressions. Most visitors allow an hour or so, though if you're lucky enough to catch feeding time, that's when they're at their most entertaining.

Families with younger children get the most out of this place. Teenagers might find it a bit slow unless they're already into animals, and it's not the sort of spot for a lengthy walk. The real value here is as a stop-off between the caravan parks scattered around the area - Rosemarie and Holly Farm Fishery are both within two miles, so it's genuinely convenient if you're based at either one. Valley View Escapes and Brook Meadow are a bit further out but still close enough for a morning trip before heading elsewhere.

Be aware that opening times and admission fees aren't widely published, so ring ahead before you go - there's nothing worse than turning up somewhere hoping to see animals and finding the gates shut. It's the kind of small-scale operation that works best with a quick phone call first.