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Please be aware of government guidelines before setting off.
Government Guidelines
If a day out in the breezy countryside is on your to-do list, you can’t go wrong with a trip to the memorable and unique Abbotts View Farm. Also known for the Abbotts View Alpacas, the farm is home to numerous fluffy residents, who are more than eager to hang out with human visitors. Animal-loving kids are sure to love this farm experience, and can even have the chance to take an alpaca on a walk.
Originating in South America, you can normally find alpacas in Peru. They have been around for thousands of years and were bred by the Incas for their high-quality fleece, which was then used to clothe royalty. Now, there are alpacas bred all over the world, including at Abbotts View Farm. The farm started as almost 23 acres of meadowland. It was then transformed into a working family eco-farm, with surrounding farmland. The off-grid location of Abbotts View Farm means it is largely self-sustaining and uses solar energy for power. Rainwater is used to feed the animals and helps the site function.
The family, as well as owning the farm and alpaca business, also live on the farm, which means you will get a very genuine and warm welcome. There are lots of animals to meet, including ponies Sapphire and Buckthorn, Pepper the dog, ducks, guinea pigs, a rabbit and of course, the alpacas! As well as walking the alpacas, you are also welcome to feed the animals with their special feed.
As the main attraction of Abbotts View Farm, the Alpaca Walks are not to be missed. Taking roughly 1.5-2 hours, this is the perfect way to spend an afternoon while learning something new. Children and adults will have the chance to walk with the alpacas and find out more about them. To start the walk, there is a brief health and safety talk, after which you will be introduced to the male alpacas. Then, you will take them for a walk around the farm, while learning lots of alpaca facts along the way. The walks themselves usually last around 45 minutes and are nice and slow. You will also get the chance to meet the rest of the alpacas and their babies, and even feed them!
For something to eat on your trip, Jo, the owner, is known for her homemade cakes. These are always on offer as well as refreshments, to keep you topped up throughout your visit. The nearby Leighton Buzzard and Aylesbury both have a great selection of cafes and restaurants if you fancy something after your trip to the farm.
Once you’ve had your alpaca walking experience, why not check out the gift shop and peruse some of the beautiful handmade gifts on offer? For some additional learning, Jo has written two fact books for kids, ‘And… are alpacas REALLY scary?!’ and ‘So… what IS an alpaca?’. These are great little gifts and are available from the farm shop or online.
If you’re really into the alpaca spirit after your trip to the farm, you can also learn how to use alpaca and sheep’s wool to needle felt your very own mini animals and decorations. Jo regularly puts on small workshops from her kitchen- all you need to take is a packed lunch! While this activity is more suitable for teenagers and adults than young children, it’s a great way to get creative and make memories.
If the kids loved their visit to Abbotts View Farm and want to meet more animal pals, make sure to add Green Dragon Eco Farm in Hogshaw to your list, where you might even spot a wallaby or silver fox. Or, Odds Farm in High Wycombe is brilliant for a drive-in ‘moo-vie’ night, or the opportunity to collect your own eggs!
Please follow the latest government guidelines if travelling by public transport.
Government Guidelines