The Donkey Sanctuary - Image 1

The Donkey Sanctuary

Weston, United Kingdom•4.8(8.2k)•Country Park, Wildlife Center

Meet and interact with rescued donkeys in a peaceful sanctuary setting perfect for families of all ages.

The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth offers families a unique opportunity to encounter rescued donkeys in a caring, outdoor environment. Visitors can observe and interact with these gentle animals while learning about the sanctuary's conservation and rescue work. The venue provides a calm, educational experience suitable for young children through to adults, with pushchair-friendly grounds and free entry making it accessible for all families. The sanctuary combines animal interaction with pastoral landscape, creating an engaging yet relaxing family day out. With on-site food facilities at The Kitchen and dog-friendly policies, families can spend quality time together while supporting the care of rescued donkeys. The venue's commitment to animal welfare and education makes it an ideal destination for families seeking meaningful, animal-focused experiences away from traditional theme parks.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 09:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00
Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

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

The Kitchen

Award-winning restaurant serving fresh, local, seasonal produce with views of the coast and countryside

Hours: 9am - 5pm

Visit websiteView menu

Google Reviews

4.8(8.2k reviews)
S
sarah

sarah

3 weeks ago

Such a lovely place, we went some years ago andbtgen again today and transformation over time is incredible yet still keeps a lovely home sound vibe. The gardens are beautiful, the donkeys are clearly well adjusted, well loved and well cared for, every single member of staff/volunteer we met were lovely and helpful and cheerful. The food in the restaurant was very tasty and plentiful. All of that and it's dog friendly! Amazing

B
Barbara Cottington

Barbara Cottington

4 weeks ago

Great place to visit. Fabulous donkeys. Lots of info. Good facilities. They do great work. No charge for entry. And you can adopt a donkey if you want to, no pressure. We spent a happy couple of hours there. And we adopted 3 donkeys 🤗

K
kirsty elizabeth

kirsty elizabeth

3 months ago

I asked my Momma where she wanted to go on her birthday and she said a donkey sanctuary so a quick Google search later and The Donkey Sanctuary come up in search results. I’m so glad she said about going as everyone had a wonderful time. The donkeys are clearly incredibly well cared for, the cafe is a real delight, (I wish I lived closer) I thought the shop was lovely too and I got to meet Bow the resident cat who is just an absolute darling! He too is clearly well looked after and the staff in the shop clearly dote on him. I would highly recommend a day out here in the rain or shine. It was certainly worth the 6 hour + round trip to visit. I spent £100 + in the end, well I liked the fact it was free admission and all profits from the cafe support the sanctuary and I believe the shop is the same. My Momma adopted Drizzle who she is just so in love with after seeing Drizzles pictures online.

E
Emma D

Emma D

3 months ago

Lovely place to visit. You can tell the staff really care about the Donkey's. We enjoyed the talk and the gift shop was really nice too and not too expensive. We got some nice little souvineers to take home. There are lots of fields you can walk around to see the Donkey's and they had some very large enclosures for the ones that didnt want to brave the wind and rain! Its worth a visit as it is free to go, dogs are welcome too.

B
Belinda Meatcher

Belinda Meatcher

4 months ago

Our 1st visit to this sanctuary. Spacious parking, very large coffee shop with views across the sanctuary with a glimpse of the sea. Plenty on the menu great big gift shop. Lovely sunny day to wander around the paddocks to check out the donkeys. Very clean, you can also get a glimpse of the donkeys inside there barns. Good friendly staff. Will definitely visit again. Thoroughly recommend, you won't be disappointed. For young and old.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at The Donkey Sanctuary

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 29 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about The Donkey Sanctuary

Is The Donkey Sanctuary free to visit?

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

What ages is The Donkey Sanctuary suitable for?

The Donkey Sanctuary is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is The Donkey Sanctuary dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at The Donkey Sanctuary.

Is there parking at The Donkey Sanctuary?

Yes, The Donkey Sanctuary has on-site parking.

Is there food at The Donkey Sanctuary?

Yes — The Kitchen is on site at The Donkey Sanctuary. Award-winning restaurant serving fresh, local, seasonal produce with views of the coast and countryside

Is The Donkey Sanctuary pushchair-friendly?

Yes, The Donkey 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 The Donkey Sanctuary?

The Donkey Sanctuary is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to The Donkey Sanctuary by public transport?

The Donkey Sanctuary isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.
Kiddy Compass