New day out launches where you can feed over 100 alpacas in idyllic Macclesfield countryside
By Alex Greensmith
21st May 2024 | Local News
A new alpaca feeding experience has launched in the quaint Macclesfield countryside.
Stuart and Kim Murray are the pair behind Macclesfield Alpacas, a new alpaca-themed day out at their farm in Sutton.
The duo has launched a new alpaca tea party, where you can feed the fluffy mammals dried vegetables, hay and more yummy nibbles.
Already alpaca breeders for almost a decade, Kim and Stuart are proud to open their farm to the community for the first time.
"We are delighted to open our new event Macclesfield Alpacas to the community", said Stuart.
"Instead of doing a standard walking experience, we thought it would be fun for people to have proper one-and-one time with the alpacas on their level.
"So we came up with the idea of a tea party, whilst it is a quintessential British thing, it is also a way to interact with the alpacas as we sit down on their level, so they are less threatened and they get to walk around loose, and make their own decisions.
"And you get to feed them delicious, nutritious food."
There is no human food to be consumed at this tea party, it is alpaca food exclusively, with your new Peruvian pals as the VIP guest. You can feed the alpacas with the gorgeous backdrop of the beautiful Macclesfield countryside.
When pressed about surprising facts about alpacas or things humans might not know about them, Kim had this to say:
"They are naturally really peaceful but because of how they socialise they don't love being stroked like a dog," told Kim.
"They like people sat down at their level, being face to face, as a sign of friendship. So the tea party format is a perfect way for people and alpacas to connect."
Feedback from the community has been really positive so far.
"People love alpacas, they are unusual and weird, and I think for a lot of people it feels like they are coming to hang out with a zoo animal," revealed Stuart.
"It is something you really rarely get to do, to interact on this level with such an exotic, strange, and fun animal."
The outfit is also sustainable. As the lovable fluffy farm animals have products created from their coats.
"We have 109 animals on-farm, we breed them here, we shear them once a year," added Stuart.
"That fleece either gets put into bedding or yarn which we sell in our shop, or it goes off to be high quality scarves."
Products up for sale in the gift shop include alpaca wool hats, and alpaca-themed artwork from Macclesfield artists.
Kim and Stuart are also been to highlight other eco-benefits of alpacas.
"The animals themselves, they don't eat as much food compared to other 'livestocks'," added Kim.
"They also have miracle poop, which is full of nitrogen, so you can throw it on your garden unprocessed and it is like rocket fuel for flowers. It doesn't need to be composted or burned.
"And because they do not have hooves and the way their feet are, they are really gentle on the land."
Just weeks after their public launch, Macclesfield Alpacas will also make their Treacle Market debut on Sunday May 26.
Their stall will be one of the new ones in The Picturedrome's yard, on Chestergate, this Sunday.
"We just want people to really know we are here, and we would love to have lots of people come, spend time with alpacas, we are welcoming, friendly and also open to people hosting small events on the farm," Stuart also told.
"Prices right now are £25 for an adult. £12 for a child 16 of under, and we have a family ticket of £60 for two adults and two kids.
"We have concessions for students, and over 60s.
"We also have concessions locals from Wincle or Sutton as well. We thought it would be nice to allow them to come and enjoy at their leisure."
Macclesfield: You can book and find more about Macclesfield Alpacas on their website.
You can follow Macclesfield Alpacas on Facebook and Instagram.
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