A Day Out at The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is one of our favourite days out and perfect for kids too!

This article was written on 21 July 2021
and is a 3 minute read

< Return to listing

The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth, Devon is one of the top places to visit near our Devon holiday park. As a registered charity, the work carried out by the sanctuary is all for a very worthy cause supporting the welfare of donkey’s and mules.

As one of the most popular places to visit in South Devon, The Donkey Sanctuary is just over half an hour’s drive away from Forest Glade Holiday Park. It’s a great day out for kids and dog friendly too, so everyone is happy!

About the Donkey Sanctuary

 The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Elisabeth Svendsen and its sole purpose is to provide care for the wellbeing of donkeys. Since its early origins the sanctuary has gone on to look after for 14,500 donkey’s and mules. The charity operates in UK, Ireland, Europe and Africa and Asia.

Photo credit: kristofarndt on Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Events and things to do

There are fantastic events held at the Donkey Sanctuary throughout the year, and are always a big hit with the kids. These include indoor craft making sessions, guided tours and donkey hunts. There’s also an outdoor play area and maze to provide hours of fun for all the family. Check the event listings for an up-to-date what’s on guide.

During lockdown the sanctuary has even catered for a virtual audience with ‘Sanctuary from your sofa’ live online broadcasts for times when it isn’t possible to visit the attraction.

Visitor centre & restaurant

Be sure to pop in the visitor centre where you’ll find lots of information about the valuable work carried out by the charity. It’s also the place to pick up a few keepsakes and gifts.

Grab a bite to eat in the restaurant and feast on a delicious selection of freshly prepared snacks and meals.

How much does it cost to visit The Donkey Sanctuary?

The centre is open all year round with free entry and free parking.

How to get to The Donkey Sanctuary

From Sidmouth take Sid Road and A3052 for 3.8 miles, which takes just over 10 minutes drive. If travelling from our holiday park at Forest Glade it takes just over 30 minutes in a car either via Farway Common Road or Seaton Road.

Donkey Sanctuary Address

Slade House Farm, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU, England

Photo credit: Howard Lake on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Please be aware that due to Covid restrictions, some properties may not be open at the time of your visit, so be sure to check ahead of time.