Llama Trekking
Llama Trekking in Herefordshire on the border with Wales
Each trek is exclusive to the party that books
Why not hold your hen do at our farm, or have our llamas at your wedding or buy a llama trekking gift voucher as a present for family or friends?
About our Llama Treks
Llama trek experience
You will help call in, catch, halter, groom and walk your llama through our fields and farm, or beyond through the glorious Herefordshire countryside.
Llama Treks tailored to your party's requirements - we don't mix parties of trekkers so only your family or party will be taking your trek. It will be your exclusive experience
We take our llamas out throughout the year, and can usually accommodate you and your party at short notice.
Llama trek details
Llamas are members of the camel family. These charming, inquisitive and gentle animals will delight in accompanying you on a walk through the village of Ewyas Harold set in the beautiful South Herefordshire countryside.
Llamas are not ridden, but wear a halter and walk on a lead rope.
A typical llama trek experience will start with us calling the llamas into the penning area. An incentive (a bribe!) of a mouthful of their specialist feed, perhaps supplemented with some carrot might help.
The llamas are fed, and trekkers will halter and stroke them so the llamas are ready to walk. It really is that simple.
Each llama on its lead rope will follow you as you set off at a gentle stroll. We will accompany you on your llama trek through our fields and down the hill into the village where the llamas are always very well received.
We return to the farmyard where the llamas are rewarded with some more food before you release your llama to stroll back to the field.
Often the llamas will linger for five minutes before leaving - a sure sign that they have enjoyed themselves. There will then be the opportunity to visit the llama weaving studio. We spin and weave the beautiful llama wool on a large floor loom - see how this is done and then browse the llama shop.
You will notice the different characters of the llamas. They are traditionally seen as curious yet aloof and are the most interested of all animals and love new experiences. Eleven of the fifteen llamas trek and the Golden Valley Llamas herd at Old King Street Farm have distinctive personalities: Meet the Llamas
Llama trekking is available to both people staying in our self catering Herefordshire holiday cottages or day visitors by appointment. We can usually accommodate a llama trek around the edge of the Black Mountains, in this most beautiful corner of Herefordshire, at short notice. And don't forget, this will be your party's exclusive experience.
Dress appropriately for the expected conditions and wear boots, trainers or stout shoes as a short section of the walk may be muddy
Our llamas are also be available for events away from the farm, so if you would like to have our llamas at your wedding, party, or similar occasion please enquire
At A Glance
Costs
Price per person, either with one llama each or sharing one llama between two people £50 adults, £30 children
Llama trek experience based on a minimum of two adults - £100
Duration:
Trek experiences last around two and a half hours
Dogs
Sorry - no dogs
Therapeutic value
It is reported widely and we have witnessed ourselves that llamas are suitable for close contact with children due to their docile and friendly natures. Parents have reported children being willing to walk twice as far when accompanied by llamas. Autistic children can respond especially well to llamas, sometimes the expressive eyes of the animal help them make their first sustained eye contact. The good results llamas have with children may in part be due to how pleasant they are to touch.
Meet The Llamas
Ringsbury
King of all he surveys, Ringsbury is top dog and head honcho. The head of the herd is very important to the whole demeanour of the herd. His character will influence all the llamas. Ringsbury is an elderly well-mannered gentleman of the old school, unless you argue with him, and Brodgar sometimes does. If disorder breaks out in the herd, Ringsbury will sort it with a stamp of authority and a well-placed spit.
Long Meg
The matriarch and decision maker. Ringsbury works alongside Long Meg to ensure discipline. She is well capable of leadership but she does give way to self doubt and can become nervy. She has had seven babies so we don’t expect her to trek, which is as well as she has never taken to it. Off farm, her nervous disposition really takes over, at home she is elegant and self-assured.
Brodgar
One time advanced level trekker, he is now getting older and has bad feet but he just loves trekking SO much that occasionally he goes out. On treks, he is bomb proof, loyal to his two-leg and outpaces everyone. However, these days, he is slower perhaps a little grumpier. On occasion, he has wanted to vie with Ringbury for herd leadership, frankly he hasn’t a chance! He just doesn’t have the same charisma. Pan faced, his expression gives nothing away but he is all heart.
Stanton Drew
Stan the Man is a regular trek leader these days and he learnt all he knows from Brodgar his mentor. Some would say not the sharpest tool in the box, but we say that because he fell in the lake as a cria! Not a great fan of being groomed, he will grumble away but he wouldn’t dream of misbehaving, he’s too laid back when it comes to it….He’s a big bear in sheep’s clothing.
Rollright
Despite an early lack of confidence, Rollright is now a top trekker, sure footed and loyal. Not a great fan of being touched, these days he will tolerate a gentle stoke on the neck from his two-leg which shows how far he’s come. A gentle spirit, he stares at you with his wide eyes questioningly but once he knows where he is, you can rely on Rollright to bring you safely home.
Moai
The ultimate laid back dude, Moai is happy to go with the flow. His funny face and bent ears give him charm and his distinctive black and white body make him easy to spot. A favourite of the female two-leg he has a lofty presence but he really doesn’t want any responsibility; in the middle of the pack please! That’s where you will find him, preferably with his brothers Rollright and Stan.
Carnac
Big and Beautiful Carnac is mainly eyebrow, thick coat and thicker head hair, he peers out from under those eyebrows with a winsome gaze. Carnac despite his size, is the bottom of the pecking order of this herd. Even his little sister picks on him sometimes. So self-confident he is not, but he’s a great and reliable trekker who is a safe pair of hands for his two-leg and totally loveable!
Stonehenge
Now Stonehenge is SO handsome that he is regularly mistaken for a girl! His beautiful face makes him the poster boy at Old King Street Farm. But he will have to watch it as he is quite partial to his food and a little rotund in consequence. He enjoys a trek but when caught short, he will take a regular comfort break to the entertainment of his two-leg. What is Stonehenge’s party trick? he will “foot give” happily on command.
Kilpeck Castle
Our young silky Kilpeck has beautiful white and dove grey curling locks, but unfortunately he really is not a fan of being groomed as despite stunning wool he looks a right royal mess most of the time. His heart is brave and true, and he is lovable, kind and gentle as long as you don’t have a brush in your hand. Kilpeck is a super trekker but he’s in no hurry at all, and will dawdle along in his own world, happy to be out and about.
Maes Howe
Some would say grandma Maesie isn’t blessed in the looks department but she is the gentlest soul and always one of the first at the gate to greet visitors. Her calm reassuring presence gives new trekkers confidence and whilst she doesn’t trek herself (she has had six babies you know!) she’s a people llama. Always up for a back massage or a sit in the office on the carpet, Maesie likes to hang and chill out.
Tintagel
When she was young, she was described as “a bit of a Madame” but as she matures Tintie has mellowed into a fine lady and trekker. She still has a sense of her status within the herd but she is gracious and kind. Handsome and reliable, she will guide her two-leg assuredly and with aplomb. She has a mobile expressive face and loves to trek with her sisters. Boys! she simply doesn’t have time for them.
Hazleton
The darling of the herd, Hazleton is sweet and gentle, in fact she is amenable to everyone and sometimes accused of having a ‘felty back’. This means nothing of course. She sees herself as a reliable trekker, sure-footed good companion to her two-leg. She likes a cuddle, a back rub…well her food, a llama of simple pleasures, an uncomplicated girl of good heart and large stomach.
Ann Howe
Another ever-hungry girl, Annie enjoys the pleasures of the manger but she does like a cuddle as well, sometimes pushing herself forward to meet visitors before everyone has had time to say ‘hello’. She will be the one getting in the way before all the introductions have been made – but that’s only because she’s an enthusiast! Her distinctive white coat with a large grey saddle makes her stand out from the crowd. She will look you straight in eye as to say “I’m so happy to meet you“. She loves her trek and will be first at the mix bucket on return. Annie really loves life.
Loupin Stanes
The baby of the herd, Loupin gets away with more than any other llama. Whilst she is maturing and learning what it takes to be a good trekker from her elders, she still come bounding about like an overgrown labrador…...”Hello, I’m Loupin!” she says to anyone who will listen. On treks she examines everything, and listens and comments on all she sees. Sometime, this inquisitiveness gets her into trouble but will she learn – we think not!
Stenness
Elderly uncle Stenness is loved by everyone. His trekking days are over as he has bad feet but he loves sun bathing in the field or sitting by his net near the yard gate. He feels his role is gate keeper and is first there when everyone arrives at the yard. So soft, so gentle he is happy to have his teddy bear neck stroked and takes comments about his funny ears in good part. Stenness doesn’t have a mean bone in his whole body. Visitors recognise that immediately and people are drawn to his kind and sweet nature.
A Llama Writes
Hazleton tells us about the Llama Shearer
Oh, the two years go around so very fast here at Old King Street Farm and before you know it …its shearing time again! Unlike our alpaca cousins, who are sheared every year, our wool is slooow growing, so once every two years is just about right for us. And with our increasingly hot, hot…
Read MoreRingsbury Takes a Bath
It comes to us all eventually, but I have reached the ripe old age of 19 and am beginning to slow down. Unfortunately this means I’ve got a really bad case of grandpa dribble! I’ve not lost my teeth, but have a damaged nerve in my face and can’t close my mouth properly. So all…
Read MoreWaiting for Happy Trekkers
We LOVE trekking…..
Read MoreMoai Wants a Snack
Moai pogoes for a snack
Read More05-06-22 Ann Howe ponders on Ringsbury’s Words in May 2022
Our beloved leader Ringsbury imparted some wise words of wisdom and we always listen careful to what he has to say. I nod to each of my llama family in complete agreement. We all listen respectfully and intently with much humming, and chip in with ‘hear, hear’ and ‘good show’ and ‘hurrah for the Golden…
Read More30-05-22 Brodgar Celebrates Turning Eighteen with some Tasty Carrot Slices
Hello Fans, You know, what could be nicer than reaching the ripe young age of 18? Having a birthday with several large bunches of carefully sliced carrots courtesy of our dear friends Uncle Trefor and Auntie Sophie! Auntie and Unc stumped up the readies and sent a v. special ‘Carrot Voucher’ to the ol’ two…
Read MoreMr Ringsbury Here
Mister Ringsbury Here! As Leader of the esteemed Golden Valley Llamas, it fills my heart with pride, as Spring leaves Winter is its wake,…. the birds, new growth on the trees, blossoms, tasty hedgerows etc etc…………..ahh, all very delightful I’m sure, but this won’t do! So one beautiful morning, I call the whole team together,…
Read MoreBrodgar and Friends are Fed a Basket of Carrots
Hello, All You Fans of the Carrot-Munching Llama, Well! What a Splendid and Very Tasty Surprise. On the Twelfth Day of Christmas My True Loves gave to Me – Twelve Pounds of Carrots…… Hurrah Trefor and Sophie who we love and who visit us often sent us (Correction, ME) the most marvellous present of a…
Read MoreBrodgar and Rollright go to the Shops
Morning Llama Fans, The Two-Legs tell us life is strange at the moment. We’re not sure what has happened, but we do know that last month was our busiest trekking month ever and this month – nothing. What’s going on? It’s like people have gone and locked themselves away…. But we get fed every day…
Read MoreTintagel queues for Breakfast
Morning Fans, I thought you’d like to know about our feeding regime. We have free and regular access to one of our fields. In Spring and Summer the grass is lush and green and very, very tasty. It’s full of goodness and most of our fields are bordered by hedges with hazel (yum), rose (yum),…
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