A NATIONWIDE initiative will see alpaca farms across the country open their gates to the public as part of the first ever alpaca farm open day this weekend.

Organised by the British Alpaca Society, the National Alpaca Farm Day will see around 100 farms across the UK welcome visitors on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5.

The Woolly Farm, which is based near Wasdale in the Lake District, Cumbria, is one of those taking part, and will be holding free craft sessions, talks, and 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, and the national farm day is an opportunity for people to understand more about these adorable creatures, and for us to share our knowledge about them.

“They are such peaceful, relaxing creatures that it can’t help but rub off on you.”

The Woolly Farm 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.”

H and H Insurance Brokers, one of the UK’s leading agricultural and rural insurance brokers, is a long-standing supporter of the British Alpaca Society.

The firm, which is based across the North of England, the Scottish Borders and Wales, offers specialist alpaca and llama insurance through its Insure My Alpaca policy.

Managing director of H and H Insurance Brokers, Paul Graham, said: “The first national alpaca farm day is a brilliant opportunity for people to find out more about alpacas, which are becoming increasingly popular across the UK.

“H and H Insurance Brokers offers insurances designed specifically to meet the needs across rural industries, which includes specialist alpaca and llama insurance.”

Chief executive of the British Alpaca Society, Dr Duncan Pullar, 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.”

An interactive map on the BAS website highlights the locations of farms taking part in the farm day. For more information about the British Alpaca Society visit www.bas-uk.com.