Your Journey to Calm: Discover Butterwick Alpaca Retreat
If you’re an animal lover seeking a truly unique and calming experience, look no further! Tucked away in the beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Malton, Butterwick Alpaca Retreat is a charming, family-run sensory farm. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature and unwind. Run by Anna and Chris, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome where nothing is too much trouble. While they initially specialized in Alpaca walks, they’ve since branched out. Now, alongside their beloved alpacas, you can meet friendly sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and guinea pigs. It’s truly a fabulous and enriching experience for animal enthusiasts of all ages! Once you discover Butterwick Alpaca Retreat, it will become a regular on your Yorkshire holiday to-do list.
Alpaca Walking: A Gentle Stroll with New Friends
Ready to join some very special companions on their daily stroll? An Alpaca Walking experience at Butterwick Alpaca Retreat allows guests to walk gentle and inquisitive alpacas along country lanes and through the fields. The terrain is suitable for trekkers of most ages and abilities, and your adventure can also include a wonderful meet and greet with all the other friendly animals at the retreat!
Anna, the knowledgeable owner, will be your guide, ready to answer almost any question you have about these fascinating creatures. The five alpacas used for walks are all friendly boys, leading a leisurely stroll perfect for soaking in the countryside views (with plenty of stops for their favourite grass snacks!). Anna harness your alpaca, hand you the lead, and off you go along a peaceful field-edge track.
The alpacas know their route well and tend to pick up the pace on the return, knowing delicious food awaits them back home! There are ample opportunities for stroking these incredibly soft animals and capturing memorable photos. Anna even sells bags of their wonderfully soft fleece after shearing, perfect for knitting or crochet if you’re feeling crafty.
After your walk, it’s time to help put the alpacas back in their paddock and assist with feeding them – just watch out, as they can sometimes spit at each other when excited!
We recommend wearing walking boots or wellies, as the path can be uneven or muddy in places. The walk itself lasts around 45 minutes, with the entire experience spanning approximately 90 minutes. Anna will be with you every step of the way, ensuring that by the time you’ve finished, you’ll feel like a true alpaca expert!
Animal Encounters & The Full Retreat Experience
Beyond the delightful alpaca treks, Butterwick Alpaca Retreat offers even more enchanting animal encounters! The retreat regularly hosts dedicated “Meet, Greet, Pet and Feed” sessions, providing a wonderful opportunity to get up close, pet, and feed some of their other beloved residents, perfect if Alpaca trekking is not your cup of tea.
After our alpaca walk, we were introduced to a charming collection of farm animals. This included the absolute cutest sheep you could imagine, along with friendly pigs, inquisitive guinea pigs, and playful goats. Each encounter offers a chance to learn about the animals from Anna and Chris, making it a truly interactive and memorable part of your visit.
If you time your visit just right, you might be lucky enough to see the newest, most adorable additions to the family! The retreat is sometimes home to crias (baby alpacas) and fluffy lambs, adding an extra layer of sweetness to your experience. These opportunities to witness young animals thriving are truly special and highlight the nurturing environment at Butterwick Alpaca Retreat.
Plan Your Relaxing Alpaca Escape
In today’s busy world, finding some “me-time” and focusing on wellbeing is essential. Treat yourself to a visit to Butterwick Alpaca Retreat for a truly unique and calming experience. Just be warned: you might leave wanting your own herd of alpacas! (Luckily, you can always adopt one if you don’t have space at home.)
Booking your visit is essential, as numbers for the alpaca walks are limited. Also, keep in mind that the alpacas (and their wonderful owners!) are often off-site, spreading joy at local schools and care homes. So, do get in touch in plenty of time to plan your perfect visit.
Our sincere thanks go to Butterwick Alpaca Retreat for making us feel so incredibly welcome!