A-llama-ing Prices in the Gift Shop (Ashdown Forest Llama Park)

Member Name: wendybull

Product:	Ashdown Forest Llama Park
Date:	27/08/08 (99 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: OK

Disadvantages: Nothing special

The Ashdown Forest Llama Park is located understandably on the Ashdown Forest, right on the A22 just past Forest Row in West Sussex. It is approximately 10 to 15 minutes away from where I live and my employer hosted a work lunch there at the weekend. We went along, kids in tow to have a look around.

The main part of the park is obviously the llamas and alpacas they have there. They are breeding animals and the park sell on the babies to help with the upkeep. The area they have for the animals to graze and live on is huge and they have some great views around the fields along with a walking trail that will lead you through the land they own and allow you to view all the llamas. When we went they had a baby llama that had been born only 3 hours before we got there and he was gorgeous.

They also have reindeer there and host a Santa's Grotto at Christmas which looks really magical.

The cafe area is not too big, which could cause problems if you want to eat there but the food is averagely priced for this type of attraction. We had our lunch in a conference room which they also hire out for other events. The lasagne was homemade and delicious.

The gift shop is hugely expensive and they sell lots of South American novelties as well as alpaca wool clothes. We are talking about £200 for a jumper though, so we stuck to the postcards!

I don't think it would be enough to be able to spend the day there and warrant the £20 family entrance fee they charge. There is a child's obstacle course/play park but I didn't see any picnic facilities so this would end up being a really expensive day out, and to be honest would not have held the children's attention for more than a few hours.

We did get to feed the llamas their carrots though, which was an experience and one I am pleased to have done.

Summary: RECOMMENDED to see once