Bardsea Alpacas and Llamas, nestled near the village of Bardsea in the Furness area of Cumbria, offers a unique day out away from the Lake District's tourist crowds. Run by local couple Ste and Lorna, the farm is home to one of the largest herds of alpacas and llamas in Cumbria, now numbering 53 animals, including 13 baby alpacas, known as crias.
The farm opens once a day for pre-booked visits, offering either a walking experience or a feed-and-meet session. This year, the farm also welcomed 13 crias, and the couple holds a 5-star animal welfare licence, with animal welfare paramount in their operations.
A Personal Experience with Rocky
The walking experience, given as a Christmas present, begins with careful matching of each visitor to an alpaca or llama best suited to their personality. The author was paired with Rocky, a five-year-old fawn alpaca described as "cheeky" but well-behaved.
Both alpacas and llamas are calm and placid, enjoying gentle guided strolls through lush farmland with frequent stops for treats, all included in the price. The experience also includes time interacting with the male herd, kept separate from the females, followed by visits with the female herd and close-up views of the crias, though a strict no-touch policy applies until they are comfortable around humans.
A Labour of Love
Ste and Lorna, who acquired their first alpacas in 2019, run the farm as a passion project, ensuring visitors get ample time with the animals and the animals remain happy. The couple explained that the alpacas and llamas enjoy their daily visits from humans, including the gentle walks and treats.
The farm is closed completely during the depths of winter, but for those visiting Cumbria at other times, this off-the-beaten-track experience offers something completely different and enchanting. For more information about booking, visit the Bardsea Alpacas and Llamas website.
