Downswood Alpacas

You're standing in a field near Devizes watching a llama spit at absolutely nobody - just doing it for sport, apparently. Downswood Alpacas is exactly what it sounds like: a small working farm where you can get up close to alpacas and llamas, feed them, take photos, and generally spend time around animals that are far more entertaining than you'd expect. The alpacas themselves are remarkably calm, though the llamas have a bit more attitude. Most visits involve wandering around the paddocks, hand-feeding the animals (they're surprisingly gentle), and learning bits about their care and quirks from whoever's running things that day. It's the sort of place where kids genuinely engage for an hour or two without needing screens, though adults often find it oddly therapeutic too.

How long you stay really depends on the weather and how chatty the staff are. Good for families with younger children, less so if you're after serious educational depth. It's free or cheap admission - typical farm attraction pricing - and works well as a half-day activity while staying at one of the camping spots nearby like Mill Farm Glamping or Country View Camping, both within a few miles. Autumn and spring are probably best: not too muddy, not too hot for the animals. Summer weekends will be rammed. If you're already in Wiltshire for the Stonehenge circuit or Salisbury Plain walks, it's a decent low-key palate cleanser. Check ahead though - opening hours and admission aren't fixed across all sources, so ring first if you're planning to make the trip specifically.