Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary - Image 1

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary

West Runton, United Kingdom•4.8(2k)•Farm, Wildlife Center

Visit rescued shire horses and other animals in a peaceful, quality-assured sanctuary with free entry and family-friendly facilities.

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary in West Runton offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience a dedicated animal rescue and care facility. The sanctuary is home to rescued animals, including shire horses, and provides a serene environment where families can observe and appreciate these magnificent creatures in well-maintained paddocks and enclosures. The venue is accredited by the English Tourism Council as a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction, with inspectors praising the peaceful ambience, excellent animal care standards, and neat presentation of the facilities. Open daily from March through October (except Saturdays, though Easter Saturday is included), with free admission for all visitors, making it an accessible family outing. Facilities include a refreshment area serving animal-friendly options, a gift shop, and a bric-a-brac shop for browsing. The sanctuary is dog-friendly (dogs welcome on leads) and pushchair-friendly, making it suitable for visitors of all ages including young children. The peaceful setting and educational experience of seeing rescued animals thriving in a caring environment make it an ideal destination for families seeking a meaningful, nature-based activity.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn)+

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Refreshment area

Animal friendly refreshments available on site

Hours: 10:00-17:00 daily (except Saturdays) from 29th March to end of October 2026

Google Reviews

4.8(2k reviews)
K
Kendal May

Kendal May

3 weeks ago

This rescue centre is incredible; so much better than we'd expected and the animals are looked after so well. Really a must-visit if you're in North Norfolk. Keep up the amazing work guys! 🐴 💕 Free-to-visit, but please ensure you support their work during your stay at either the cafe or gift shop.

J
john adey

john adey

a month ago

An excellent place to visit Horses, donkeys, goats,chicken plus numerous other animals. Very relaxing you can walk as much or as little as you want. Horses are by the entrance. Nice gift shop and cafe.

S
S H

S H

2 months ago

An amazing place, much bigger than I expected, caring for so many rescued animals. A barn full of bric a brac to raise funds, well priced then a gift shop where you can buy a bag of carrots for the animal as a gift for someone - loved this idea and bought a couple for birthday presents. They sell other things in the gift shop and lastly a little cafe.

A
Angie Haveron

Angie Haveron

3 months ago

Well run, fantastic place for our animals friends. Clean, animals well looked after. Recommend to visit for all ages. Take your pack lunch, benches here and there. Or buy from the vegan café. Gift shop where you can donate. Bric and brac section on your walk about. For a great cause.

D
DZM UK

DZM UK

3 months ago

Free entry, free parking, well signposted. A wide range of animals, including horses, cows, mules, donkies, goats, llamas, ducks ,geese, pigs and other birds. A children's play area. A good way to spend a couple of hours. A cafe in site although we did not use it. Recommend making a donation as entry is free

Reviews last updated: 6 October 2026

Events at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 6 October 2026

Frequently asked questions about Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary

Is Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary free to visit?

Entry to Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

What ages is Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary suitable for?

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary.

Is there parking at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary?

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary doesn't have parking — public transport is recommended.

Is there food at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary?

Yes — Refreshment area is on site at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary. Animal friendly refreshments available on site

Is Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary?

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary by public transport?

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.

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