Purely for our companionship and leisure over the last ten years, we have kept and bred a small herd of alpaca. We have not 'farmed' them in any commercial sense – but we sell their fleece once a year to cover vet bills and shearing costs. Our fleece buyers are usually individual spinners and crafts-people.
Currently, we have three alpacas – Frances, Hope and Kate. They are a source of constant interest and amusement to us and our visitors.
Alpacas are native to South America but are increasingly becoming popular across other parts of the world. They are intelligent, friendly, and inquisitive 'herd' creatures - generally bred in the Western world as 'bloodstock' pedigrees – with their fleece being highly-prized for knitwear and other textiles. Its qualities are its strength, softness and durability. They are in the same broad camelid family as llama, vicuna, and guanaco.
"Fabulous hosts and fabulous breakfast! Love the alpacas or as we now call them the 'backpackers'"
Peter, Frances, Harry, Beth and Megan - Croydon