Alpaca walking New Forest

Fancy a unique experience when staying at Cottage Lodge?

Why not spend a morning or afternoon alpaca walking in the New Forest? At nearby Petlake farm you can experience these gentle lovely animals up close and what’s more this experience is suitable for all ages.

About Petlake

Petlake Alpacas was founded five years ago on the site of an existing farm, in the beautiful surroundings of the New Forest National Park. They now run one of the larger herds in the area, with over 80 alpacas which guests at Cottage Lodge can visit. There is a shop to browse and you can even book to go alpaca walking with them at their farm in the New Forest.

Petlake has been a farm for many years. It has previously been used as a dairy farm, pig farm, beef cattle farm and for equestrian grazing.

As well as alpacas, they keep other livestock, including pigs, donkeys, chickens and ducks.

They farm alpacas for their fleece, not for meat. Although they have invested in high quality award winning breeding stock, they rarely take their animals out to shows, focusing more on their own on-site events and facilities.

Why are alpacas fun ?

Alpacas are domesticated animals and are friendly and inquisitive. Unlike Llamas they don’t kick or spit and like to be touched. Some animals even like to be hugged.

At Petlake farm they offer an alpaca walking experience, alpaca adoption, alpaca hire for events, long term alpaca hire and alpacas for sale, stud services and livery.

A working local farm

Petlake Alpacas is a family run business, with family ties in the local parish going back to at least the 1800’s. They also have a team of part time staff and volunteers.

They provide regular work experience to a number of students, particularly those training for a career in agriculture or veterinary medicine. Several of their current volunteers are students at nearby Sparsholt agricultural college.