FINER DETAILS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Alpacas
Our alpacas work as a gang. They are herd animals and do not like to be left alone. The minimum number of Alpacas that can be booked per walk is TWO. The maximum is THREE. Alpacas are friendly animals who have a natural curiosity. They are nervous creatures and can be startled easily so we try and minimise loud noises and quick movement. The alpacas do not like to be drowned in rain - so the experience can be weather dependent.
People -
How old do you have to be?
From our experience, small children have no sense of direction and can startle the alpacas – we cannot legally supply lead ropes or lock children up whilst the experience is taking place !!! – Please consider your children when booking this experience. Children under 8 cannot handle the alpaca. They can accompany the adult on the experience, but must not hold the lead rope. Children 8-14 must handle the alpaca with an adult – a double lead rope will be provided. Children 14+ can handle their own alpaca.
Is it suitable for me?
If you are a slow walker, unsteady on your feet or have an injury which impacts on your walking ability, then the walk will not be suitable. You must also be able to use both hands to hold the lead rope when walking your alpaca.
We can tailor the walk to meet your needs, we can walk on flatter ground around the farm, we can arrange for the alpacas to come to you - we don't want to exclude anyone from meeting "the boys".
Can you accommodate groups or people with disabilities?
Yes we can - we have experience in holding larger group session for womens groups, beavers, hen parties - we can tailor a package to meet your needs. We are lucky enough to have access to our stable block where we can set up group sessions for bad weather and have lots of tables and chairs for you to use - either inside and out. Guests have brought their own picnics and refreshments and we will accommodate this too - as long as all rubbish is taken away and recycled. Please get in touch to discuss you wants and needs.
We have had a range of guests in the past with physical and learning challenges that we work with the group leader to ensure that all needs and requirements can be met safely and that ALL guests get something out of their visit to the farm. Please get in touch to discuss any specific needs and we will work out a plan between us.
Health & Safety
There will always be a short safety talk at the beginning of each experience, please take note of the information provided in the briefing & during the walk. A risk assessment has been undertaken and can be viewed on your arrival at your request. We remind guests that although Alpacas are gentle, friendly, quirky creatures, they can be unpredictable & sensitive. Like all animals if startled they can bolt or kick so please follow the safety advise given. Naze View Farm cannot accept responsibility for accidents or injuries that may occur on our farm. Accidents can happen, although very rare but its important to stay calm around the Alpacas. The Experience's are supervised by a suitable and trained person. There is a first aid box located on site.
Please wear "closed toe" sturdy shoes/trainers although, wellington boots or walking boots are advised. Dress for the changing weather and we cannot be held responsible for any damages to shoes or clothing. Any long hair, please tie back or contain in a hat!
COVID19 - We follow VisitEngland Good to Go principles and ensure that we test if we feel unwell, we sanitise the equipment between experiences and offer handwashing or sanitiser before and after the experience. The experience is all outdoors, if guests wish to wear a maks, they can do but it is not mandatory.
Accessibility
Our walks are through our farmland, fields, farm yards and tracks, these can be wet, muddy, rough terrain, bumpy and loose/uneven/slippery ground and because of this we cannot offer our full experience to wheelchair users, pushchairs or people who require walking aids. The walks are approximately 60 minutes long. We will tailor your experience to meet your needs.
We can offer a meet and greet session to people with limited mobility, where the guest can visit the farm – access the yard and flat areas and we will bring the alpacas to meet the guest - please get in touch to discuss options.
Cancellations and Amendments
The experience maybe weather dependent, if we cancel the walk, we will offer an alternative date, suitable for you and ourselves. We also reserve the right to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control. If after two attempts an alternative date cannot be arranged, then a full refund will be given.
Failure to cancel a booking by a guest which then results in a no show will result in a loss of booking which cannot be refunded.
Late cancellations or amendments within 48 hours of the booking will result in a £10 re-booking fee.
Payments
The Experience must be paid for at the time of booking.
Gift vouchers for adoptions and experiences must be redeemed within 6 months of the purchase date or gift date.
Once a booking has been made and paid for, an email will be sent with your confirmation/voucher which can be either printed off or can be shown via your smart phone. Please check your spam folder if no email is received.
Facilities
Toilets and hand washing facilities are provided.
No smoking is permitted on any of the farm grounds.
Parking Available
There is room for parking on the car park and yard.
Refreshments
We are working on offering refreshments following your experience, we will let you know at the time of booking. By pre-arrangement, we will arrange picnic tables for your use - guests must remove all rubbish and recycle. We are happy to advise on one of many local eateries nearby where you can sample some good food.
Photos
During the experience we may take photographs that may be published to our social media profiles or this website. Please let us know in advance if you do not wish your photo taken or shared online. You are welcome to take your own photos at any time during the experience. We ask if you post them to social media, that you tag Naze View Farm in them, to help market our services.
