A Cumbrian farm is to take part in the first-ever national alpaca open day this weekend, as farms across the country open their gates to the public.
The Woolly Farm at Santon Bridge, near Wasdale, is one of around 100 alpaca herds joining the event which takes place over the weekend of September 4 and 5.
Organised by the British Alpaca Society, the National Alpaca Farm Day aims to offer opportunities for people to meet alpacas and find out more about them.
As part of the event, The Woolly Farm will be holding a series of free craft sessions and talks over the weekend, as well as the chance for visitors to meet the alpacas.
Amy Armitage-Reay, who runs The Woolly Farm with her husband Dan Armitage, said: “A big part of what we do at The Woolly Farm is about education. We want people to understand more about these adorable creatures, and share our knowledge about them.
“They are such peaceful, relaxing creatures that it can’t help but rub off on you.”
Amy and Dan founded The Woolly Farm to combine their love of the outdoors, walking and animals. The business launched in July last year, and offers visitors llama and alpaca walks around the 55-acre farm, as well as treks up nearby Irton Pike.
Visitors can also meet and greet the farm’s animals which include pygmy goats, Kunekune pigs, Valais Blacknose, Zwartbles and Ryeland sheep, Giant Continental Lop rabbits, ponies, horses, two donkeys, chickens and a guinea pig.
The Woolly Farm recently teamed up with Lake District Mobility to offer all-terrain mobility vehicles to ensure its experiences are available to everyone.
Amy said: “The farm is in a fantastic location, with Irton Pike behind us and views towards the Irish Sea on one side and the Wasdale Valley and Scafell Pike to the other. When people come here, they say they could be anywhere on earth.”
Dr Duncan Pullar, chief executive of the British Alpaca Society, said: “Many British Alpaca Society members already invite the public to meet their alpacas through trekking, yoga and petting opportunities, but we wanted to have an event that broadens out the opportunity to more people and more farms hence this event.
“There will be a farm near enough for everyone in the UK to get up close to an alpaca.”
