Fancy a flavour of South America while you visit the New Forest this summer? Cottage Lodge Hotel in Brockenhurst, in the heart of the New Forest in Hampshire, has teamed up with Fairmeads Farm to provide an opportunity for its guests to enjoy a leisurely walk with one of the farm’s six adorable Alpacas; Boston, Bamf, Berty, Gandalph, Harry, Denver and Whistler.
Fairmeads Farm is just 20 minutes’ drive from Brockenhurst and the owners have trained the Alpacas to walk around their fields. All halter-broken, the animals are happy to walk beside as you lead them, accompanied by handler Mandy, who trained and domesticated the gentle animals.
The walks are available on Sunday, Monday and Thursday afternoons, from April to October (weather permitting) and cost from £10 per adult for 30 minutes, £7 per child, or £30 for a family of four people (longer walks can be arranged).
The walks – which are perfect for children – take place around the farm where other animals are likely to be encountered including goats, chickens and horses!
Family-owned-and-run Cottage Lodge Hotel is a stylish, boutique property, with 15 individually-furnished rooms, many featuring hand-made beds crafted by a local wood sculptor from fallen New Forest Trees.
The hotel is ideally located for exploring other popular forest towns, villages and beauty spots, and is also just a 10-minute walk from the station. making a car-free weekend a realistic possibility (89 minutes from London Waterloo). There is a bike hire centre (which also has electric bikes) right next to the station.
Overnight stays cost from just £35 per person, per night (two sharing), through to £85 per night for a large four-poster room. All stays include a full English New Forest Marque breakfast, reserved, off-road parking, free WiFi and welcome tea with cakes. There are also three dog friendly rooms (£10 per dog per night). The Alpaca walks can be made via Cottage Lodge Hotel at the time of booking.
Call 01590 622 296 or visit www.cottagelodge.co.uk. For further information on the New Forest visit www.thenewforest.co.uk
