Surrey Hills Llamas

Llama Trekking in the Surrey Hills

Surrey Hills Llamas operates from the Merry Harriers, a sixteenth-century country inn tucked away in the village of Hambledon, near Godalming in Surrey. For over two decades, the company has been pairing visitors with its herd of llamas for guided walks through one of England's most cherished landscapes — the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The experience combines gentle exercise, animal interaction and a proper countryside picnic into a day out that feels a world away from London, despite being less than an hour from Waterloo.

The herd currently numbers around a dozen llamas, each with its own name and temperament. Experienced guides match walkers with a suitable llama at the start of every trek, showing you how to fit the halter, hold the lead and communicate with your companion. Llamas are naturally calm and inquisitive, walking at a steady pace and pausing now and then to browse on hedgerow greenery. They are not as skittish as horses and rarely spit at humans, making them well suited to first-time animal handlers and families with older children.

The Trek Route

The standard route covers roughly three miles through a mix of ancient woodland, open meadows and quiet country lanes. The terrain is mostly flat with a gentle climb toward the end, and the pace is unhurried — four to five hours allows plenty of time for stops, photographs and the picnic. In spring the woods are carpeted with bluebells, summer brings wildflowers and birdsong, and autumn transforms the canopy into shades of amber and russet. Even in winter the walk has its own appeal, with bare trees opening up views that are hidden in other seasons.

The highlight of the route is a hilltop viewpoint with panoramic views stretching across the Surrey Hills and south toward the Weald. This is where the picnic hamper comes out — your llama has been carrying it the whole way. The English Picnic Trek includes a spread of sandwiches, savoury pastries, fruit and soft drinks, while the Champagne Picnic Trek upgrades to a premium hamper with a bottle of fizz, ideal for celebrations. After lunch the walk loops back through a different stretch of woodland to the Merry Harriers.

Trek Options

The English Picnic Trek is the most popular option and runs throughout the year, departing at 11am. It costs eighty-four pounds for adults, forty-eight for children aged eight to fifteen, or two hundred and ten for a family of two adults and two children. The Luxury Champagne Picnic Trek follows the same route but with an upgraded hamper and costs ninety-nine pounds sixty per person.

For a shorter outing, the Summer Evening Trek runs on selected dates during the warmer months, lasting around two hours and priced at fifty-five pounds twenty for adults. The Winter Morning Trek includes a two-course lunch at the Merry Harriers after the walk, combining the trek with hearty pub food. The Children's Party Trek is designed for birthdays, with a picnic tea and party games alongside the llamas at thirty-six pounds per child.

All treks must be booked in advance, with a fifty per cent deposit taken by card over the telephone. Dogs are welcome and walk alongside free of charge. The minimum age is eight years old, and the maximum group size is sixteen, with one llama shared between every two people.

The Merry Harriers

The trek starts and finishes at the Merry Harriers, which is worth a visit in its own right. The pub dates back to the sixteenth century and has flagstone floors, exposed beams, open fires and a large garden overlooking the llama paddock. The kitchen serves a seasonal menu using local produce, and there is a solid selection of ales and wines. Many trekkers stay for lunch or dinner after their walk.

For those wanting to extend the experience, the Merry Harriers offers overnight accommodation in five shepherd huts arranged in the meadow beside the llamas. Each hut is fitted with a double bed, wood-burning stove, en-suite shower and a private deck. Waking up to the sight of llamas grazing outside your window is a memorable way to bookend the trek.

Getting There

The Merry Harriers is on Hambledon Road in Hambledon, Surrey, with the postcode GU8 4DR. Driving is the most straightforward option, with free parking at the pub. From the A3, take the Milford exit and follow signs for Hambledon. The nearest train stations are Milford and Witley, both about two miles away on the South Western Railway line from London Waterloo. There is no reliable bus service, so you will need a taxi from the station or a forty-minute walk along country roads. The venue is roughly fifty minutes from central London by car, depending on traffic.