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You are here > Things To Do > The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary
  • The Donkey Sanctuary
  • outdoors
  • Meet the Donkeys
  • Family friendly
  • Cafe
  • Activities for kids
  • Museum
  • Family fun
  • Child learning
  • Restaurant
  • Outdoor activities
  • Donkeys
  • Children playing
  • Educational visits
  • Seasonal food
  • Animal Collection
  • Food and Drink
  • Ice cream
  • Donkey outside
  • Gift shop

The Donkey Sanctuary

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About

No trip to Devon is complete without visiting The Donkey Sanctuary.

There’s a tranquil corner of the Jurassic Coast near Sidmouth that hundreds of rescue donkeys call home, and they’re all waiting to meet you. The resident donkeys love to meet new people and their unique characters and stories are all ready to be discovered.

This free-to-visit, award-wining attraction has something special to offer, whether you’re looking for quality time with the kids, or somewhere calming to kick back with coffee and cake.

Explore everything on offer at the sanctuary - all year round, whatever the weather. With activities, trails and talks, there’s so much to explore with your own herd. Friendly dogs on leads are welcome too!

Take sanctuary in the Taste of the West award-winning restaurant and enjoy fresh, local, seasonal produce while soaking in the unparalleled coast and country views. Luscious lunches and tempting afternoon treats are dished up daily - best served with friends, family and fabulous views.

As a passionate animal welfare organisation, all meat dishes are responsibly sourced from producers with high standards of farming and welfare, while vegan and vegetarian options are prominent and varied. Good practice, good for the environment, good for you.

For a souvenir to remember your day by, head to the Gift Shop where you’ll find quality donkey-designed products on every shelf. From donkey duvet covers to mugs, cards, cuddly toys and games, there is something to suit every pocket.

What’s more penny of profit goes towards helping the donkeys and mules in the Charity’s care and in communities around the world – an extra helping for the hardworking animals who are most in need.

You can even become part of their donkeys’ lives forever by adopting one of the lovable donkeys; whether you’re looking for a clever and mischievous donkey like Ruby or a sweet and fluffy beauty like Zena, there is a friend for everyone at the sanctuary. Adopt before your visit, seek out your new friend when you arrive and keep tabs on them at home with the sanctuary’s live webcams.

Make the day your own, but above all else, fall in love with the herds of donkeys.

Since its humble origins as a charity in 1969, The Donkey Sanctuary has grown from a UK organisation rescuing donkeys from neglect and abuse, into an international animal welfare advocate, transforming the lives of these hardworking animals and the people who depend on them for their livelihood.

From 17 May the sanctuary is open 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm. Admission and parking is free, though donations are welcome to help many more donkeys with troubled pasts live a life of total sanctuary. 

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Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Donations WelcomeFree

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Facilities for Disabled Visitors
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Attraction Facilities

  • Shop
  • Tea Rooms

Catering

  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Picnic Site
  • Restaurant - Seating 230 inside, plus 40 outside

Children & Infants

  • Accept Children Over 3 - All children/ages welcome
  • Facilities for children

COVID-19 Response

  • 1m distancing in place
  • Capacity limit
  • Clear signage
  • Contactless payment possible
  • COVID-19 measures in place
  • COVID-19 risk assessment completed
  • COVID-19 staff training completed
  • Face mask essential (not provided)
  • Face masks required for staff in public areas
  • Floors clearly marked for social distancing
  • Food available during COVID-19 restrictions
  • Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff
  • Hygiene screens in place
  • One way system
  • Open now
  • Outside seating
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
  • Pets welcome during COVID-19 restrictions
  • Queuing system
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Socially distanced spaced seating
  • Staff required to regularly wash hands

Establishment Features

  • Conference facilities
  • Dog Friendly
  • Dogs Accepted - Dogs on leads welcome
  • Electric Car charging point
  • Free car parking
  • On-site Restaurant/Cafe
  • Open All Year
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop
  • Tea / Coffee Shop
  • Toilets
  • Wedding Venue

Event Facilities

  • Free Entry

Key Features

  • Approx length of visit - 3-4 hours
  • Families
  • Groups
  • In countryside
  • Min group size - 10 for discounted group menu packages
  • No Smoking Attraction
  • Outdoor Attraction - With some indoor attractions (Visitor Centre, Exhibition Barn, Understanding Donkeys Zone, The Kitchen restaurant, Gift Shop, Dr Svendsen’s Hut).
  • Weddings

Parking & Transport

  • Car parking
  • Coach Parking
  • On Bus Route
  • On site parking
  • Parking (free)

Payment Methods

  • Booking essential - Pre-booking required for discounted group menu packages.
  • Cash accepted
  • Contactless payment accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Special group rates
  • Visa accepted

Specialist Features

  • Family Fun
  • Marketed towards children
  • Marketed towards families
  • Marketed towards senior citizens

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Demonstrations Given
  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals

Travel & Trade

  • Group discounts available
  • Wi-fi available

Venue Facilities

  • Groups Accepted

Video

  • Visit The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth

Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

The sanctuary is situated just 30 minutes from M5 Junction 30 on the A3052 between Sidford and Seaton. On leaving Sidford follow the brown tourist sign at the top of the hill.

Public Transport Directions

By bus

Bus stops are located within easy walking distance for the 899 Axe Valley Mini Travel and 9A Stagecoach (Exeter - Seaton).

By train

Honiton is the nearest station, located 10 miles from the sanctuary.

By bike

Cyclists will find the sanctuary on Route 2 of the National Cycle Network.

By foot

From the South West Coast Path, take a short detour to the sanctuary at Weston Mouth.

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonkeySanctuarySidmouth/

Access Information

PARKING

Designated parking provided for guests with disabilities
Designated parking within about 50 metres of main entrance
Drop-off point for guests immediately outside the main entrance
Parking is provided for visitors
Parking on site
With designated parking for visitors with disabilities
Within about 50 metres of the attraction
Rmp on route from parking area to entrance
Route from the parking area to the nearest public entrance is:
With a ramp

ATTRACTION ENTRANCE

Drop-off point for guests immediately outside main entrance
Handrail by ramp
Handrail by steps
Ramp to main entrance
Steps to main entrance

LIFT

There is a lift

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to:
Gift shop
Information point
Public toilet
Public toilet suitable for visitors who use a wheelchair
Level access, ramp or lift to dining area

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to the:
Cafeteria
Restaurant
Meals for guests with special dietary requirements can be provided

STAFF

Some staff have specialised disability knowledge or skills, eg sign language

GENERAL

Clear signage throughout the attraction (e.g. colour contrasted, large lettering, use of pictograms etc.)
Effective lighting throughout the attraction for visually impaired visitors e.g. pools of light and dark areas are avoided
Facilities for service dogsYes
Good colour / tonal contrast used throughout the attraction e.g. doors contrast strongly with floors/walls
Information screens have visual / audible subtitles
Non-smoking policy throughout the attraction
Routes / pathways throughout the attraction suitable for visitors with limited mobility
Some routes
Routes / pathways throughout the attraction suitable for wheelchair users
Some routes
Seating available throughout the attraction at appropriate intervals, for visitors with limited mobility
Tactile routes in the attraction for visitors with visual impairments
Throughout facility
Wheelchairs provided
Free of charge

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Slade House Farm, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU

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Tel01395 578222

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Opening Times

Season (17 May 2022 - 31 Dec 2022)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday09:00 - 17:00

Awards

  • Visit EnglandQuality Assured Visitor Attraction Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2019
  • Devon TourismDevon's Top Attractions Quality Stamp Devon's Top Attractions Quality Stamp 2017
  • Regional and MiscellaneousVisit Devon Tourism awards - Gold Visit Devon Tourism awards - Gold 2018
  • Regional and MiscellaneousSouth West Tourism Excellence Award 2018- 2019 – Bronze South West Tourism Excellence Award 2018- 2019 – Bronze 2019
  • TripAdvisor AwardsTripAdvisor - Certificate of Excellence - 2019 TripAdvisor - Certificate of Excellence - 2019 2019
  • Regional and MiscellaneousPrimary Times Reader Star Awards – 2019 Primary Times Reader Star Awards – 2019 2019
  • Regional and MiscellaneousMuddy Stilettos – Winner Muddy Stilettos – Winner 2019
  • Regional and MiscellaneousTaste of the West – Gold – 2019/2020 Taste of the West – Gold – 2019/2020 2019
  • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

Downloads

2021 Visitor Leaflet
1.9 Mb

2021 Visitor Leaflet

2021 Visitor Leaflet

Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

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