Stubbs Farm Alpacas
Hi,
I'm Lucy! Founder, owner, every-hat wearer of Stubbs Farm Alpacas.
You will find me running all the experiences here, carrying out all animal care as well as being responsible for all social media production and admin tasks 7 days a week!
I am proud to be a one-woman owned business.
I have been able to create the job of my dreams and get to live it daily.
It's hard work, it's continuous, there are highs and lows but I wouldn't have it any other way!
When I first built my herd back in 2016, I didn't have a full plan.. I just wanted alpacas and hoped it would work out as I went along.
So far so good!
Thanks to your support, I get to live the dream so I am eternally grateful for everyone who books an experience!
Founded in 2016
Right from the minute the first alpacas arrived, I knew it was a match made in heaven.
Alpacas love a mellow, peaceful day without taking everything too seriously and I can totally relate!
Over the years, I've learnt so much from working with them and seeing them every day, more and more discovering what I did and didn't like about the 'norm' of running an animal attraction.
Whilst there is no one way to run a place like Stubbs Farm, I never wanted to tip into an intensive high-turnover commercialised destination and so deliberate action has been taken to ensure the alpacas and farm animals ALWAYS come first.
The animals are referred to as 'The Farmily' because they are! Every single one has their own personality, quirks, likes and dislikes and the Experiences are designed to support all of it.
That's why you have such a joyful experience when you are here - everything has been built with the animals and based off of their feedback!
They are happy living their relaxed-yet-predictable, leisurely lifestyles and so will greet people openly and warmly. Those that wish to, of course!
Every animal is allowed to interact as much or as little as they wish to but you should find you'll always make plenty of fluffy friends here.
When you visit and experience Stubbs Farm, you'll know you're supporting a small business that doesn't compromise on animal welfare but will consistently deliver a high quality, high value and joyful day out with your friends and family.
How it happened...
Let's do a very basic stroll through memory lane, shall we?
2015
The discovery of alpacas
Can I claim owning alpacas was a life long dream?
No. Having an animal centred world was though!
Whilst at university completing a degree in Agricultural Science and Livestock Management, I had to write an essay on an alternative livestock enterprise and discovered the world of alpacas.
I started volunteering at local alpaca farms to find out more!
I was in a very fortunate position where I grew up with family land that I was able to use so I started plotting (figuratively and literally!).
Degree completed in 2018 by the way.. I really did do two highly intensive things at the same time. Chaos!
2016
Alpaca shopping!
The first 4 alpacas join the farm once initial shelters and paddocks were complete. Welcome Fortuna, Galina, Miranda and Liberty. Tears were shed, emotions were high... On the alpaca end obviously, once they realised they'd have to spend all of time with me.
2016
Alpaca shopping continues...
Several more characters join the herd including the first boys: Ariel, Marcellus and Blizzard. In a few short months, I'd already gone up to 11 herd members! I had no self control and so much excitement!
With 8 girls and 3 boys.
2017
Arthur is born
My glorious first born, Arthur, graced us with his presence on the 18th May 2017. He is an incredibly special alpaca and is a core part of the herd to this day. He changed my life!
2018
Goats invade the farm!
I had wanted goats for so much longer than I did alpacas so I am genuinely surprised I lasted 2 years before welcoming the first goat gang: Percy, Lexi, Delilah, Bindi and Bunty. Life was forever altered. As was my fence fixing budget.
2020
Newe friends
Get it? N(ewe)?
In a moment of lockdown madness, when the future of the business was incredibly uncertain, I decided to rescue a sheep gang.
Incredibly illogical, not wise at the time but no regrets!
They are one of the most joyful additions to the farm! Welcome to Amelia, Bryony, Caroline, Greta, Harriet and Imogen
2021
Why not a donkey or two as well?!
As a wedding present from all of our friends and family, my husband and I were able to rescue a trio of donkeys. Mabel, Ruby and Tilly.
Sadly Ruby and Tilly are no longer with us, but Mabel always had chosen goat life anyway and lives full time as a goat... If you know, you know! She is an unusual donkey and there's no denying that!
2025
Enter stage right.. the piggies!
After years of self control, I decided to add two animals to the farm I said I never would have! I made the mistake of meeting them and falling in love. Welcome to Lily and Audrey.
Tummy rubbing, noisy beasts of destruction who charm every human they ever meet.
Now we arrive at the present day.
As the farm currently stands, I have 37 alpacas, 10 goats, 6 sheep, 2 pigs and a donkey.
Of the 37 alpacas, 27 were born and raised here and I am incredibly proud to have been witness to them growing up.
I am totally and completely content with the current farm population.
I keep every alpaca that is born here so I do have to be some what sensible from time to time!
So going forward after 2026, the farm will enter a breeding break for a while as I am happy with the 21 boys and 16 girls.
No new animals or species either!
The herds are incredibly settled and content and I love their dynamics so much that I don't wish to change anything anytime soon.
If you visit us and I suddenly have a cow.. feel free to tell me off for a lack of self control!
Does my word mean nothing to me?!
Thank you for taking the time to read the basics of the Stubbs Farm story... If you want to find out more, well... you'll have to book an experience won't you!