Pumpkins & Alpacas

The moment you arrive at Pumpkins & Alpacas, you know you're in for something different. This working farm near Stafford combines two things that absolutely shouldn't work together but somehow do: pumpkin picking and alpacas. The whole setup feels genuinely unpretentious, which is refreshing.

You can wander the fields and select your own pumpkins straight from the plants - proper autumn activity, this. But the real draw is the alpacas. They're everywhere, curious and fairly unbothered by visitors, which means you get close without it feeling staged. Kids absolutely lose their minds, though toddlers might find the animals a bit intimidating if you're not careful. Adults who think they're too cool for a farm visit will find themselves grinning despite themselves.

It works brilliantly as part of a Staffordshire break. Copper Beech Glamping sits just 2.6 miles away, making this a proper five-minute drive from somewhere genuinely comfortable to stay. Westcott Woods Glamping, rated 5.0, is only slightly further and equally convenient. Both give you that glamping experience without sacrificing accessibility to local attractions. Fledgling Farm - Camp Site offers more traditional camping if you want proper rustic immersion.

Bring wellies. The fields get muddy, especially in autumn. Allow two hours maximum unless you're photography types wanting the golden hour light. It's the sort of place that delivers exactly what it promises - no surprises, no pretence, just alpacas and pumpkins done well. Worth slotting into a weekend if you're already in the area, though I wouldn't drive hours specifically for it.