Glamping places where you can meet alpacas

Half an hour from the busy streets of Bristol (and Canopy & Stars HQ), Uplands Treehouse commands a splendid spot overlooking the Mendip Hills. Take your morning coffee out onto the deck and you’ll be greeted by the cheery sight of alpacas and horses grazing in the fields below. 

You’ll catch another glimpse of them if you use the outdoor hot shower round the side of the treehouse. Inside, away from the oasis of green and rolling hills, you’re cocooned in cosy comfort with a sofa, wood burner and a king-sized bed on a mezzanine sleep deck under the eaves. There are walking trails leading from the front door and the gorgeous cathedral city of Wells is close by with independent shops and restaurants to explore as well as the beautiful Bishop’s Palace.

North of the border, you’ll find a herd of alcapas with serious charisma. Elvis, Frankie, Nougat and Teddy are a friendly bunch, full of character, who have an instant calming effect on all who meet them. Rulewater Alpacas offer morning and afternoon walks with ‘the boys’ and evening walks by special arrangement. 

When you’re not hanging out with furry locals, Tiny Home Borders is an idyllic base to explore miles of hiking and cycling country or you can go on an adventure just beyond the door on your own private loch. The owners provide two paddleboards to muck about on and you can also swim in the lake if you dare brave the cold water. As night falls you’ll gravitate to the hot tub for a long soak under a blanket of Scottish stars.

There’s no need to pre-book an alpaca experience when you stay at The Barrel Top in Devon. The cabin is on owner Penny’s working farm and you share the field with the resident alpacas, a friendly bunch who might wander up and say hello as you’re relaxing on the veranda. You’ll also see rare breed sheep, cows and chickens, and Penny is happy for guests to lend a hand during lambing and harvest season. 

There’s plenty to do nearby, including hiking in Dartmoor and the beach at Bantham, but the cabin is so homely you might be tempted to stay put. There are shelves heaving with books, board games, cushions, rugs and a wood burner to cuddle up in front of. The sleeping nook is tucked under the beams with a window at the foot of the bed to let the light and birdsong in.

As outdoor space goes, it doesn’t get much better than at The Fallow, deep in the heart of the Lake District. The huge deck has wooden loungers, a firepit with a BBQ grill and a wood-fired hot tub, all overlooking miles of Cumbrian mountains. There’s plenty of extra space to put yoga mats down if you’re partial to sun salutations with soul-nourishing views.  

The handcrafted cabin is in a peaceful spot on the farm but within easy reach of the Lake District’s finest attractions, including a walk down an old railway line into Keswick.  Blencathra and Skiddaw are to the north, Helvellyn is to the south and you can drive into Grasmere in ten minutes. But, the highlight of your trip will be a visit to Lingholm Estate, a non-profit on the shores of Derwentwater where you can book an alpaca walking experience and – in their words – live “alpacaly ever after”.

Stilt House on the Scottish Borders is a monochrome sanctuary that floats above a pond and a river in the grounds of Dod Mill. With windows on three sides, you can admire the scenery from the comfort of the cosy sofa, but the adventures to be had outside will draw you out eventually. Hire paddle boards and drift around the pond, cook over the Kadai firebowl, explore the orchard and skim stones in the river. 

For a great day out, head to the stunning and remote Cheviot Hills and set off on an alpaca walk with Beirhope Alpaca Trekking. They offer different routes in the surrounding hills with photo opportunities and the chance to see iron age forts. For a really atmospheric experience, book the Sunset Stroll with marshmallows over the campfire afterwards.

Half an hour from The Lodge, Walby Farm Park is home to a family of charming alpacas – mum Amber and her children Inca and Alvis. They’re not the only creatures you can meet in the barns and paddocks, there’s also the chance to cuddle rabbits, groom ponies, feed lambs and watch a ferret show. This place is great for kids (big and small) with tractor rides, play areas, an aerial slide and a very cool barrel train. 

The Lodge itself is as peaceful as the farm park is lively. Hidden in a remote spot on the banks of the river Eamont, the only sounds you’ll hear are birds and the occasional splash of salmon swimming upstream. Smoke your catch of the day over the BBQ before hopping in the hot tub to stargaze under vast, dark skies.