If you are considering the alpaca dream we would offer you three initial bits of advice:

1. Go and see a few farms and alpacas to find out what works best for you.

2. Be clear about why you want alpacas.  If you want to use the fleece to produce fantastic clothing make sure you invest in good quality alpacas, anything else could be false economy. Do you want friendly manageable alpacas?

3. Consider a training course that combines theory and hands on experience so you are confident dealing with your animals.

Barnacre training options 

We offer three levels of training tailored to suit your skills and experience.  Debbie has years of hands on alpaca experience and Paul holds a Masters level qualification in Higher Education Learning.  All fees are refundable if your purchase an alpaca from us (no time limit):

1. Visitors interested in keeping alpacas (or who want to pick up their knitwear orders!) are welcome to our farm, by appointment please (free)

2. A two hour field walk.  This is a great way to discover if keeping alpacas is for you.  We will walk through the paddocks with the alpacas and cover: food, water, husbandry, behaviour, handling and fleece evaluation.  £10 per person (including VAT)

3. A one day husbandry course (including lunch).  This day of theory and practical handling gives you the chance to discover more about these marvelous animals and get some real experience of them.  We will cover: optimal feeding, physical evaluation and body scoring, shelter, fencing, land management, husbandry, halter work, handling your alpacas, fleece assessment and breeding.  You leave with your own copy of Llamas and Alpacas, a guide to management (RRP £19.95) by Gina Bromage.  £99 per person (including VAT)

A special gift of training

Does your friend or loved one want to discover more about alpacas?  A Barnacre training course could be an ideal surprise present.  We will send out a hand made personalised invitation and make sure the course is a real treat.

Please contact Debbie or Paul to arrange the details for this special gift.

"Just a hello and to thank you very much for Sunday. We both enjoyed the day very much, you were both very informative and made it very interesting" Mr and Mrs M, Scotland

"We all really enjoyed it and we have a lot to think about" Mr and Mrs W, Northumberland

"We had a great time meeting the alpacas...and we will certainly be in touch" Mr and Mrs F, Newcastle upon Tyne