We offer alpaca walks around our beautiful farm in East Sussex. Situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Spring Farm is superbly located adjacent to the Ashdown Forest. The Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park and the historic village of Fletching are within walking distance from us. We are based in Sussex but easily reached from Kent, Surrey, Essex, Gatwick and London. From central London stations to Haywards Heath station is only 45 minutes by train and there is a taxi rank outside Haywards Heath station. The taxi ride is about 15 minutes – alpaca walking has never been so accessible!

Alpacas (and Llamas) are delightful and friendly animals and ours all know their names. Everybody who comes to our farm for an alpaca trek comments on how relaxing our alpacas are to be around. With their inquisitive nature, they are great fun to take for a walk and are certain to put a smile on your face!

A whole 2 hour alpaca experience! What’s involved?

After a short introduction to us and our farm, we will introduce you to our alpaca family. We have about 100 alpacas (and 3 llamas) here at Spring Farm – at last count! We will then halter up our walking alpaca team and set off for a casual walk around our 110 acre farm. During the walk, we will tell you about alpacas, their history, their stunning fleece and how we go about farming here at Spring Farm. Spring Farm has been managed within Countryside Stewardship for the last 24 years. We will tell you about farming in a wildlife friendly way and hopefully spot some of the wildlife we have encouraged to thrive here – a UK alpaca and wildlife safari!

Virtually all the alpacas here at Spring Farm are halter trained (except the babies). We could take out males or females but we normally select from a group of about 30 male alpacas for each walk and 2 young llamas (the “team”). Before we introduce a new walking alpaca to the team, we will have spent weeks taking it on ever longer practice walks until we are happy that the alpaca will enjoy meeting people and accompanying them on walks. It is very important to us that our alpacas and llamas enjoy the walks as much as our guests. Given the walking team is 32 strong and we only ever walk a maximum of 12 alpacas (and a maximum of 2 llamas), it gives us the flexibility to rotate our walking team so if you come back for a second walk (and we hope you will) the walking team is likely to include new faces to you!

We expect the walking element to last about 50 minutes, and it is across undulating fields so you should not encounter any unexpected surprises (although you do need a basic level of fitness – so please bear that in mind). Our walks are entirely within the boundaries of our farm. This is really important as you will not be traversing roads, public footpaths or bridleways. The route we take means you get wonderful views of the surrounding Sussex countryside, the South Downs and the High Weald AONB. The distance we cover is about a mile. We take photos of the walking group during the walk which we then send to you as a momento of your day with us (no charge).

After the walk we need to reward our walking alpacas or llamas – its really important they enjoy the walk as much as you and it gives them a treat to look forward to. You pay your walking alpaca (or llama) in carrots (which are provided ready chopped by us!). This is another wonderful photo/selfie opportunity!

We will then take you to meet our mums and babies alpaca group so you get to meet the whole team. In 2024 we have had 22 baby alpacas. If we haven’t exhausted you by then, we have a small shop selling only Spring Farm goodies – hand made gifts and 100% Spring Farm alpaca goods. A perfect memento of your time with our alpacas.

Allowing for the brief introduction you should allow about two hours for the entire experience.

PLEASE NOTE: We are not an open farm and only offer alpaca walking – and by prior booking. If you would like to book a walk please go to our booking page

ALPACA WALKING WITH SPRING FARM ALPACAS (we opened in 2015) are proud to have been awarded the TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE in 2015 and every year thereafter with 5 stars each year. By gaining this accolade 4 years in a row, we were proud to have achieved entry to the TRIP ADVISOR HALL OF FAME in 2019.

Practicalities:

• All walks must be pre-booked and are available every day of the week (except Mondays and Thursdays) and all year round. This is subject to availability. Please note, we are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
• Children must be aged 12 years old or over to walk an alpaca on their own. Children aged 8 to 11 may accompany an adult who is walking an alpaca. This is subject to a maximum of one child under 12 accompanying an adult who is walking an alpaca. Unfortunately, children under the age of 8 are not permitted on our walks or the farm. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS TO COMPLY WITH OUR INSURANCE AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE VARIED. 
• It is important at the time of booking that we know if any of those walking have any health limitations or health issues that we should be aware of. Walking alpacas may not be suitable for all – as it involves walking across undulating fields and you need to use both hands to be in control of the alpaca at all times. It isn’t a suitable activity for anyone who walks very slowly or needs a walking aid. If you need to discuss this, please email us prior to booking.
• Walking an alpaca allows you to walk YOUR VERY OWN ALPACA for the entirety of the walk.
• Accompanying a walker entitles you to walk alongside an alpaca walker but not to walk an alpaca yourself.
• We normally take a llama or two on the walk as well as the alpacas. If you would like to walk a llama please let us know.
• Alpacas are herd animals so a minimum of 2 alpacas must be booked for each walk. We normally cater for up to 12 walking alpacas/llamas on any given walk.
• It is possible to accommodate single walkers but only in conjunction with another group so as to always have a minimum of 2 alpacas walking – as they are herd animals.
• Walks start from the farm yard at about midday. We ask that you arrive ten minutes beforehand so we can be good to start at midday. If you arrive earlier, we would suggest visiting either Dennikers or Trading Boundaries as we are working right up to 11:50am most days! Please see Local eateries and attractions
• We are not an “open farm” and can only offer alpaca walks by prior arrangement.
• Our farm is on clay so sensible footwear is a must (wellies in the Winter, walking boots or trainers in summer) and we strongly recommend long trousers.
• Clothing should be appropriate for the conditions but please avoid really bright colours or anything that might flap (we will ask you to tuck in).
• We have stringent bio-security so we will ask you to dip your footwear on arrival.
• Our alpacas and llamas are not used to dogs so we have a strict no dog policy on the farm or walk.
• Alpacas are like us and won’t be happy to walk in bad weather. If we defer a walk due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, we offer you a voucher so you can choose to re-book at your leisure (1 year life).
• We can cater for educational visits, hen parties or special events – please contact us for details.
• Vouchers are available (and gift cards) – please contact us for details.
• We offer a fabulous one bedroom holiday let if you wanted to extend your stay or just chill out/ help out on a working alpaca farm – just bear in mind its for a minimum of a week!
• We are fully licenced by Wealden District Council under the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018 – Licence No. 29006

If you need to contact us directly or have any queries please get in touch.

Contacts: Vicki or Chris Agar

Telephone: 01825 790885 or 07776 181811/12

Email: info@springfarmalpacas.co.uk

For more information about Spring Farm, the holiday let and alpacas in general, please see: www.springfarmalpacas.co.uk