Reservoir Alpacas

Alpacas in Somerset sound like a joke, but Reservoir Alpacas near Crewkerne is genuinely worth a detour if you're camping nearby. You get up close to these impossibly fluffy animals - they're curious, oddly gentle, and absolutely brilliant with children who aren't easily spooked. The setting is rural and quiet, which suits the animals perfectly. Plan on spending an hour here, maybe ninety minutes if the kids want to hand-feed them or you're the type to sit and watch for a bit. It's the sort of place that works best if you ring ahead - details are thin on the ground online, but a quick call should sort you out for opening times and what's included. The whole experience feels low-key and unpretentious, which is refreshing. If you're staying at Wytch Wood Camping or Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping, you're only minutes away, making it a proper rainy-day solution or a half-day activity that won't exhaust everyone. Families with younger kids will get the most from it; teenagers might find twenty minutes enough. Word of warning - alpacas spit if wound up, though it's rare. Don't let your seven-year-old run at them. It's free or very cheap, which keeps expectations at the right level. Not a destination in itself, but a solid little addition to a Somerset holiday.