Glamping and yoga? Alpaca my bags

FARM OFFERING GUESTS STAY WITH A DIFFERENCE

A LEICESTERSHIRE farm is giving visitors the chance to enjoy a glamping experience with a difference – the difference being you can sleep in a field next to alpacas.

Grange Farm, at Ashby Folville near Melton, has been home to alpacas for 18 years.

For the past two years, Tracey Cockburn, who runs the farm with her husband, has been offering experiences such as alpaca walks, alpaca picnics and alpaca yoga.

In July, she opened a glamping site at the 70-acre traditional sheep farm, which was bought by her husband’s grandfather after he was released as a prisoner of war during the Second World War.

“We have spectacular views which people are in awe of when they arrive,” said Tracey, who until earlier this year, was also a primary school teacher.

“It seemed a shame not to share it.

Now I am based on the farm working with the animals, hosting experiences and caring for my father-in-law, glamping seemed a natural progression.”

There are five bell tents in the field next to the paddock where the alpacas and sheep graze.

As well as beds, a typical bell tent will include other furniture, cooking equipment such as saucepans, camping stove and utensils, a cooler box or bag, washing up equipment, and bedding.

A container of drinking water, a selection of tea and coffee bags and a one litre bottle of Vine Farm whole milk are also among the items included.

There is an on-site shower and composting toilets for guests.

According to Tracey, the response from glamping guests has been very positive so far. “People who have stayed have been incredibly positive,” she said.

“The alpacas are in the adjacent paddock, the other side of the fence, but it is amazing to open your tent flap and see them grazing.

“We recently hosted a yoga retreat weekend which was a huge success - groups of friends and families gazing out over the fields and watching the alpacas while sharing food, drink and laughs.”

Alpaca experiences, such as alpaca walks, alpaca agility, children’s experiences, alpaca picnics and alpaca yoga, have been available for the past two years.

“The experiences I offer are different to those who just offer walking an alpacas from A to B,” said Tracey.

“Visitors here meet the mums and babies in their field environment, get the opportunity to walk alongside the herd, feed them, build up their alpaca handling skills on the agility/obstacle course and then take an alpaca for a walk around our paddocks.”

Glamping stays are priced from £100 per night based on two people sharing.

Stays are for a minimum of two nights. Experiences start at £15.

You can book via the website at:

Visitors meet the mums and babies, get the opportunity to walk alongside the herd, feed them

Tracey