Riverbank Alpacas

You'll find a proper working alpaca farm just outside Uttoxeter, where you can get up close to these long-necked, slightly aloof South American camelids without pretence or theme park nonsense. Riverbank Alpacas is the real deal - visitors come to feed and handle the animals, watch them potter about the paddocks, and take photographs of creatures that always look faintly bemused by human attention.

It's ideal for families with children old enough to be gentle with animals, though honestly the alpacas are fairly unbothered by chaos. You'll spend anything from an hour to a few hours depending on how many you bring and how patient they're feeling that day. The animals can be a bit standoffish, which is half their charm - this isn't a petting zoo where everything bounds over demanding affection.

The farm sits well within a short drive of several glamping and caravan options. Walled Garden Pods is less than a mile away, while Ecopod Holidays and Ashbourne Luxury Glamping are both nearby if you want something a touch more upmarket than standard touring. Given Uttoxeter's location on the edge of the Peak District, you could easily pair this with walks in the surrounding countryside.

Best to ring ahead before visiting - opening hours and admission details aren't widely advertised online, and you'll want to confirm they're actually open on the day. Weather matters too. A sunny afternoon is perfect; a drizzly Tuesday in November might leave everyone - animals and visitors - looking thoroughly unimpressed.