A farm on the outskirts of Ashby has been reinventing itself as a place for where you can have a genuine 'animal experience' in the months following the Covid pandemic.

Charnwood Forest Alpacas has been open for around six years, but now it is expanding to make the most of the fact that people are looking for new places to visit after the lockdown years.

It also has new and improved bar and restaurant facilities to encourage people to come and make a day of it.

The Boundary-based attraction offers young and old alike the chance to get up close and personal with alpacas, horses, donkeys, sheep, pigs, goats and chickens as well as the farm's cats.

It is open from 8:30am - 5pm on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you are welcome to try their 'farm walk' for FREE at your own pace and get to know some of the animals 

Stretching over 110 acres, the farm is one of the first, original and largest alpaca farms open to the public in the UK. 

The people who run it are passionate about sharing the personalities of not just the alpacas, but all of their animals.

Charnwood Forest Alpacas offers experiences with a number of different animals and Ashby Nub News was invited along to take a look.

When the farm boasts about how close you can get to them, they are not joking.

From petting lambs to feeding the alpacas - alpaca feed is sold for £1 a bag - it is a great family day out.

Couples can even have a Date Night package alongside the alpacas.

Some of the animals are moved from field to field so no one day is the same.

Another feature of the farm is its cafe - The Chilli Bean - where you can have a drink or a bite to eat.

The story of the farm begins over 10 years ago, when Chris Deakin began the journey of becoming a successful alpaca owner, learning everything there is to know about caring for, showing, breeding and raising awareness about them. 

Starting from scratch, he was completely self-taught and had to undergo a steep learning curve to find his footing at first.

Not long after, the owners of Morden Hall Alpacas, a 55-strong herd on a charming 30-acre farm, were looking to retire. 

Chris recognised this as the opportunity to take everything he had learned so far and got in touch. 

Morden Hall were impressed by his dedication and passion for the breed, and were delighted to pass the torch to him.

In the first few years, Charnwood Forest was only showing and breeding alpacas, but with a herd that was growing all the time, Chris decided one challenge was not enough.

And so in 2011, the farm opened its doors to the general public as well.

The new and improved Chili Bean Restaurant is one of Charnwood Forest Alpaca's main attractions. Photo: Ashby Nub News

Chris and the team are proud to say it was one of the first farms in the UK to run alpaca walk experiences.

In 2016, came the move to Scamhazel Farm near Ashby. 

With the herd growing all the time and the number of guests on the farm rising, the the alpaca herd was moved to their new home.

Part of Chris' wishlist was to give back to the community and public at large in some way - which spawned the alpaca walks concept.  

On offer is a wide range of animal experiences, including: 90 Minute Experience with Alpacas, 90 Minute Experience with Wood Fired Pizza, Afternoon Tea & Alpaca Walk, Cria Watch (Baby Alpaca) Experience, Horse Riding Experience for two, Horse Riding Lessons, Donkey Grooming, Donkey Walks, Trot on Tots and more.

As well as that, on Fridays and Saturdays The Chilli Bean is open until 8pm. 

Chris Deakin with a baby Alpaca at the Boundary farm

It offers a wide selection of drinks, wines and cocktails.

Somersby Apple Cider has been introduced alongside the popular Poretti on draught

The Chilli Bean opens at 8.30am on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (last menu orders 4pm).

But it will be open for drinks throughout the spring and summer on Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm.

The Chilli Bean cafe is homely and cosy, sited right in the middle of the farm. 

Once a derelict old milking shed, Chris and the team lovingly restored the building when they first moved to Scamhazel Farm to make it into the space it is today, providing guests with refreshments and food.

The Chilli Bean is open to all, not just guests on animal experiences. 

If you are not up to a day/evening in the fields with the animals the farm says you are still welcome to visit for a drink or a snack as you look out onto the fields

You can drop in at any time of day with afternoon tea or a wood fired pizza on the menu.