The Donkey Sanctuary

Book Tickets Online

Planning a visit over the Christmas holidays?

In order to safely manage visitor flow over the Christmas holidays, all visitors planning to visit between 19 December 2020 and 4 January 2021 (excluding Christmas Day), will need to pre-book in advance. Book your free tickets here.

The Donkey Sanctuary have adjusted their opening hours to weekends and Devon school holidays only, until March 2021.

Bring out the best in your herd

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 donkeys call home, and they’re all waiting to meet you.

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 the sanctuary has to offer - all year round, whatever the weather. With activities, trails, tours, talks and demonstrations, 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.

You can even adopt your own donkey in the Gift Shop, where you’ll also find quality donkey design products on every shelf. What’s more, every penny of profit goes towards helping millions of donkeys and mules around the world.

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.

Open from 9.30am at weekends and during Devon school holidays until March 2021; admission and parking is free, though donations are welcome to help many more donkeys with troubled pasts live a life of total sanctuary.

Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Adult - Donations Welcome	Free
Child - Donations Welcome	Free

Visit Website

Opening Times

Open Christmas

Open New Year

The Donkey Sanctuary (5 Dec 2020 - 31 Mar 2021)
Day	Times
Monday - Friday	Closed*
Saturday - Sunday	09:30	- 16:00*

* Weekends and Devon school holidays 09:30 - 16:00*
9.30am - The Kitchen and Gift Shop
10.00am - Outdoor areas open
4.00pm - The Donkey Sanctuary closes
*The Donkey Sanctuary is closed Christmas Day.

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

Facilities

Other

Gift Shop

Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
Assistance Dogs
Facilities for the Disabled
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 - Seating 200 inside, 40 outside.
Picnic Site

Children & Infants

Facilities for children

COVID-19 Response

1m distancing in place
2m 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 - Take away also available
Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff
Hygiene screens in place
Interactive displays closed
One way system
Open now
Outside seating
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Queuing system
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Socially distanced spaced seating
Staff required to regularly wash hands

Establishment Features

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

Event Facilities

Free Entry

Key Features

Families
In countryside
No Smoking Attraction
Outdoor Attraction
Weddings

Parking & Transport

On Bus Route
On site parking
Parking (free)

Payment Methods

All major credit cards accepted
American Express accepted
Contactless payment accepted
Delta accepted
Maestro accepted
MasterCard accepted
Solo accepted
Special group rates
Visa accepted

Specialist Features

Family Fun
Marketed towards families

Tours and Demonstrations

Demonstrations Given
Educational Visits Accepted

Travel & Trade

Wi-fi available

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Map & Directions

Map Link

View Map

Road Directions

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

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

By bike Cyclist 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.

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TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

3353 reviews

Travelers Choice 2020

Excellent
2699
Very Good
488
Average
114
Poor
31
Terrible
21

Recent Reviews:

G3493PGroberts
Brecon, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
Lovely visit
1st Nov 2020
What a wonderful morning out followed by a very nice lunch in the restaurant. Very orderly and safe the whole time. It was a Monday morning local term time so not busy which was nice. The donkeys... Read full review
maggiem186338
London, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Return visit
1st Nov 2020
We were so lucky that the Donkey Sanctuary had just reopened after being shut due to Covid 19. We had not visited for some years but love this place as we are very fond of donkeys and I had a pet... Read full review
tyci114
Hereford, United Kingdom
Lovely donkeys
5th Nov 2020
Due to Covid restrictions only part of the Sanctuary is now open. precautions were good - sinks for hand washing were available as you went in. Time slots for entrance had to be booked so that not... Read full review

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Awards

Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2019
Devon Tourism Visit Devon Awards - Silver 2019
Regional and Miscellaneous Visit Devon Awards – Gold – 2018 2018
Regional and Miscellaneous South West Tourism Excellence Award 2018- 2019 – Bronze 2019
Devon Tourism Devon's Top Attractions Quality Stamp 2019 2019
Regional and Miscellaneous Muddy Stilettos – Winner – 2019 2019
Regional and Miscellaneous Primary Times Family (Half Day) Attraction Winner – Devon – 2019 2019
TripAdvisor Awards TripAdvisor Certification of Excellence – Hall of Fame – 2019 2019
Regional and Miscellaneous Taste of the West – Gold – 2019/2020 2019
Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020