West Wight Alpacas & Llamas

You'll find yourself standing in a field on the western edge of the Isle of Wight, face to face with a herd of alpacas and llamas that seem far more amused by your presence than you are by theirs. West Wight Alpacas & Llamas is exactly what it says - a chance to get up close with these woolly South American camelids in their paddocks near Yarmouth. Most visits involve hand-feeding the animals, which children find absolutely brilliant and adults find oddly therapeutic. The llamas are larger and a bit more aloof, while the alpacas tend to be friendlier, though you'll want to check their mood before assuming anything.

This works best as a quick stop if you're already exploring west Wight rather than a destination in itself. Allow an hour tops. It's the sort of activity that'll tire out restless kids for a morning while you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Camp Wight or Tapnell Farm are close enough that you could make it a half-day thing. The admission charge isn't huge, though it varies depending on what experience you book. Go on a dry day if possible; muddy paddocks and expensive shoes don't mix well.

Perfectly decent for a novelty visit during a caravan holiday in the area, particularly if you've got young children who need something gentle and interactive. Won't blow your mind, but the animals are well cared for and the staff know their stuff.