Mourne Alpacas Baby Pastures

You'll know you've found the right place when you spot the long ears poking above the fence. Mourne Alpacas Baby Pastures, just outside Hillsborough, is exactly what it sounds like - a chance to get up close with a herd of alpacas, many of them young enough to still be genuinely curious about visitors rather than blasé.

The experience is straightforward and unpretentious. You wander the pastures, feed the animals if allowed, take photos that will make your mates jealous, and generally enjoy an hour or so in their company. Kids absolutely love it - there's something about alpacas that gets them every time, the slightly daft expressions and the soft fur doing most of the work. Adults don't usually regret the visit either, though it's not a full day out on its own.

This works brilliantly as a half-day activity sandwiched between proper park time. Slieve Croob Camping sits just three miles away and rates highly, making it a natural pairing if you're basing yourself there. Pine Tree Hollow Glamping is a bit further out at nearly six miles but worth the detour if you want something more upmarket. Hillsborough itself has decent cafes and a castle worth a wander if the weather turns.

Go early in the day if you can - the alpacas are more active and the light's better for photos. Bring some cash in case they sell feed on site. Allow ninety minutes without rushing, though you could feasibly see it in half that if you're pressed for time.