What is there to see on our Northumberland campsite with farm?

Herding Hill is a family friendly campsite with lots of child friendly facilities, including farm animals where guests of all ages can get up close to a variety of animals. Guests young and old love meeting the friendly animals on our petting farm and joining in the twice daily animal feeding. They are part of our Northumberland campsite family at Herding Hill Farm. 

During your stay, you can meet and learn about: 

• Miniature Shetland ponies – gentle and curious, perfect for little ones to admire Robin is a firm campsite favourite
• Goats – cheeky characters who love a snack (provided by us!) - Aaron and Alvin love to play fight
• Alpacas – soft, calm, and always photogenic, Mamba, Knight and Minstrel are sometimes a little aloof but love having thier photo taken
• Hens – watch them scratch, waddle, and maybe even collect a fresh egg or two 
• Rabbits & guinea pigs – fluffy favourites for gentle petting and holding    
• Pigs – friendly, intelligent, and always ready for a treat, Chilli and Ginger are growing by the day
• Donkey - Coco is the boss at Herding Hill Farm, you can set your watch by feeding time

"It's brilliant for kids - ours loved seeing all of the friendly animals on this campsite with farm"

Campsite with Farm Animals

Child friendly facilities

What is the difference between a llama and an alpaca?

Alpacas are often confused with llamas but whilst closely related they tend to be smaller. Our three alpacas are full of personality and individual character and are ideal for petting farms. Alpacas don’t have teeth in the top-front of their mouths, which is why they sometimes look a bit goofy. Llamas are bigger, stronger pack animals, while alpacas are smaller, fluffier, and prized for their soft fleece. Llamas are more likely to “hum” or even spit if annoyed, especially at other llamas, but alpacas spit less often (though they’re not above it!).

Do you know our alpacas stay outdoors all year round, even in the fiercest of storms? Even with a habitation shed they never use it.

How can my children join in the fun at your campsite with farm animals?

All our animals at our campsite farm are a constant source of fascination, humour and wonder. They love their home on our petting farm in Northumberland at our Hadrian’s Wall campsite, not least because they love the attention they receive from our guests! You will often hear Coco braying in disgust if nobody has been to talk to him recently.

Children can visit the animals at all times but we ask that you don't enter their fields or feed them grass as this can upset their stomachs. If you have dogs please keep them away from the fence lines if they are distressing the animals.

We encourage our younger guests to help our campsite wardens with the daily feeding at our campsite with farm and meet our animals up close. This can this vary according to the season but take place morning and late afternoon. The wardens will let you know when you check in. Meeting the animals can help build their confidence. When children interact with animals, they build the all-important senses of connection, empathy and caring. They feel a sense of responsibility and are curious to find out more about the animal. In many cases it may be the first time they have seen an animal in the flesh. Our site wardens can tell them all about the animals in our petting farm and encourage them to learn their names. We sell a range of small animal toys in our campsite shop.

Check out our BLOG for more information on the animals that live here at our campsite with farm animals.