The Donkey Sanctuary
South Coast
Sidmouth

Come and say hello to hundreds of friendly donkeys waiting to meet you - completely free of charge.

Set along the 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 near Sidmouth, visitors can meet some of the hundreds of donkeys waiting to say hello - completely free of charge.
Discover why donkeys are so special and how the sanctuary is working to improve donkey welfare around the world by exploring the new indoor attractions, including Visitor Centre, Understanding Donkeys Zone and Dr Svendsen’s Hut.
Enjoy exploring the scenic farm trails home to the sanctuary’s friendly residents and venture further afield to the South West Coast Path along the Jurassic Coast. There are also donkey demonstrations and talks, guided walks and a Nature Centre.
Relax in the stunning new restaurant, The Kitchen, where freshly prepared dishes using local, ethically sourced produce are served alongside spectacular views over the donkeys’ paddocks and coast. And before heading home, pop into the new Gift Shop for a selection of quality gifts and donkey-design items to suit every pocket.
The Donkey Sanctuary was founded as a charity in 1969, by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. They currently have an incredible 6,300 donkeys in their care worldwide. Admission and parking is free (donations welcome) and the sanctuary is open from 9am – 5pm*, 365 days a year. Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead, and many of the farm trails are access and bike-friendly.* 4pm from November to February.

Accessibility Information

The main grounds of the sanctuary are accessible by wheelchair and, in dry weather, several of the sanctuary's other walks leading to more donkey groups are fairly level. Wheelchairs are available to borrow, subject to availability.
To view The Donkey Sanctuary's full accessibility statement, please visit: www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/accessibility-statement