The Donkey Sanctuary

About

Set along the historic Jurassic Coast and nestled in the tranquil East Devon countryside in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Donkey Sanctuary’s working farm is home to donkeys, mules and hinnies - large and small. At the heart of the Sanctuary in Sidmouth, visitors can come and say hello to some of the hundreds of donkeys waiting to meet them. The resident donkeys love to meet new people and their unique characters and stories are ready to be discovered.

You can also become part of their donkeys’ lives forever by adopting one of their lovely 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. 

Besides the residents, there is also the exciting new Understanding Donkeys Zone and Dr Svendsen’s Writing Hut to explore, as well as guided walks, meet the groom sessions, the Nature Centre, the Maze to lose yourself in and a range of souvenirs to browse in the Gift Shop.

When it’s time to take a well-earned break from all the adventure, their new family-friendly restaurant, The Kitchen, provides a tranquil haven in which to enjoy freshly prepared dishes alongside spectacular views over the donkey’s paddocks and the rolling hills of Devon to the sea. The menu has been carefully created using local, ethically sourced produce and visitors can expect hearty breakfasts, delicious lunches and tempting afternoon treats, as well as a varied children’s menu, snacks and cakes. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free eaters are also well-catered for and food is served daily from 9am – 5pm.

The Donkey Sanctuary was founded as a charity in 1969, by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. They currently have an incredible 6,900 donkeys in their care worldwide. Admission and parking is free (donations welcome) and they are open from 9am – dusk, 365 days a year. Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead, and many of their farm trails are access and bike-friendly.