Live It Up in Langley This Summer

From farm fun to town treasures, here’s how to spend a weekend in Langley

“I think I’m ready to hold the leash,” my seven-year-old daughter whispers to me eagerly as she lets go of my hand and approaches the adorable alpaca who stands patiently to my left. Smaller than llamas but often confused with their camelid cousins, alpacas are gentle, calm, and affectionate—the perfect farm friends for curious children. Glancing my way for approval, my daughter lifts a small bucket of grain to the alpaca’s face, and he dives in, gobbling it up gleefully.

We’re enjoying a private Alpaca Walk, an exclusive experience offered only at Kensington Prairie Farm, an alpaca farm found in Langley. While this unique breed of camelid comes from Peru, we’re fortunate to have an alpaca farm right here in Langley, B.C. and it’s one of the lesser-known spots that make this city so special. 

Stretching between the Fraser River and the American border, the township of Langley is a surprisingly large region, with seven separate communities to explore. Nature trails, agritourism experiences and historic towns speckle the area, offering a long list of exciting things to see and do. From farm adventures with alpacas to afternoon tea in town, there’s an array of activities available, making Langley an alluring destination for a local escape.

Here’s how to live it up with a local stay in Langley…

1. Breakfast with berries

Begin your day with a freshly-made waffle breakfast at Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery. The family-owned farm features a walk-in waffle bar, open daily and year round, where you can order a warm waffle topped with freshly-picked berries (the toppings change with the crops), and a heaping coil of whipped cream. Enjoy your waffle on the sun-drenched patio, or take it to go. In a hurry? Drive-in waffles are also available.

2. Linger in lavender

Pretend you’re in Provence with a prance through the lavender fields of Full Bloom Lavender Farm. The first and only family-run lavender farm in Greater Vancouver, this little lavender field in the countryside of South Langley will please your senses as the soft scent of lavender fills the air (over eight varieties can be found on site). Sit by the fountain and soak in the scenery, and then stop in at the on-site store (open by appointment only during the off-season) and pick up fresh lavender bundles, or lavender honey made by the bees that work hard during bloom season. Hurry, because bloom season has nearly come to a close.

3. Adventure with alpacas

Experience an up-close encounter with an adorable alpaca at Kensington Prairie Farm, a 45-acre farming operation that is dedicated to the breeding, raising and showing of Huacaya alpacas. Take a guided farm tour and learn about the farm’s history and the characteristics of the 60+ alpacas that call the acreage home, or book an exclusive alpaca walk, where you can leash up a long-necked fluffy friend and take them for a stroll through the field while feeding them from your hand.

4. Have a heavenly high tea

Head to historic Fort Langley for an elegant afternoon tea at Little White House and Co., a Parisian-inspired boutique decorated in blush and cream accents with gold and silver glitter that feels like a real-life dollhouse. Stroll and shop your way through each room of the house, filled with vintage decor and classic clothing collections, and then make your way to the quaint salon cafe where you can sip, snack and socialize in a stunning setting. The Wild Flower Willow Basket comes with a delicious variety of sweet and savoury treats and a pot of the signature Creme De La Earl Grey Tea. It’s the perfect lunch for two. Once finished, the historic town of Fort Langley is just outside, where you’ll find antique shops, modern boutiques, and—on weekends—a farmers’ market filled with fresh goodies from the area.

5. Make a night of it

For dinner, head to Haven Kitchen and Bar, a hip new dining spot found in the heart of Langley. The creative cocktail menu is sure to quench your thirst for adventure, and the menu offers a wide variety of global fare, ranging from peanut tofu bao buns to braised pork belly. The Haven poke is a must-try treat—just as pleasing to the eye as to the palate, and be sure to leave room for the caramelized pineapple cake. It’s a warm slice served on shortbread crumb, topped with coconut cream and pineapple sorbet. 

Extend your excursion with an overnight stay at the Sandman Signature Langley Hotel, located in the Walnut Grove neighbourhood. Take a dip in the indoor pool and soak your tired toes in the hot tub before tucking in for a cozy night’s sleep after a busy day exploring all that Langley has to offer. When you wake, kickstart your morning with a breakfast-on-the-go box, which can be purchased at the front desk before heading home.