Wolfridge Alpaca Celebrates Record 13 Births in One Summer

Wolfridge Alpaca, based in Alveston, South Gloucestershire, is celebrating its most successful breeding season yet, with 13 alpacas born this summer. The arrival of the new cria (baby alpacas) marks a record for the farm, which began breeding black alpacas in 2018 and opened to the public in 2022.

Wolfridge Alpaca is a family-run business near Thornbury, offering alpaca experiences, craft workshops, and a popular café serving fabulous barista made coffee, homemade cakes, breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. Visitors this summer will have a rare chance to meet the young alpacas and see them play and grow alongside their mothers in the paddocks.

The farm is owned and run by Craig and Katriona Hyslop, who diversified from their family’s long-standing farming business in Alveston. With a young family of their own, they began breeding alpacas for their calm nature and unique appeal. As COVID restrictions eased, they opened the gates of Wolfridge Alpaca to the public, creating a space to share the peaceful connection between people, animals, and the outdoors.

Image - Wolfridge Alpaca

Craig Hyslop, owner of Wolfridge Alpaca, said:

“Thirteen births in one 'unpacking' season is a big moment for us. We’ve grown the herd carefully over the last few years, so seeing the babies arrive healthy and thriving is really rewarding. We’re still a small family business, raising our children here while building something that’s rooted in the land and the animals. It’s great to see how much joy the alpacas bring to people, from families and day-trippers to hen parties and community groups.”

Wolfridge Alpaca works closely with the community, providing regular work experience placements for three local SEND schools and for Animal Handling students on placement from South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College. 

Located just outside Thornbury, Wolfridge Alpaca is easily accessible from Bristol and the M5. In addition to alpaca experiences, the site hosts seasonal trails, children's craft workshops, hen parties, private group bookings, needle felting workshops led by Katriona, and corporate wellness days all designed to help people slow down and reconnect. For more information head to www.wolfridgealpaca.co.uk