Our regional sanctuaries (Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds and Manchester) are open to visitors at select times.

Our opening times are weekends – Saturday weekly and one Sunday a month.

There is an online booking system with limited tickets for morning and afternoon visits. The visit is free of charge but a ticket is essential for you to gain entry.

Our Sidmouth sanctuary remains fully open and pre-booking is not required.

We give our donkeys freedom to roam and the choice to interact with visitors. This means that during your visit, the donkeys may be grazing in their paddocks, relaxing in a barn, or taking part in an enrichment activity that we offer our donkeys to help keep them stimulated and engaged.

Opening times

Our regional centres are open during the following times:

  • Saturdays: 10am - 12noon and 1pm - 3pm

  • First Sunday of the month: 10am - 12noon and 1pm - 3pm.

We are currently offering time slots through our booking system for either a morning or afternoon appointment. These slots can be booked for free online.

Contact details

Belfast
+44 (0) 28 933 24647
Contact Belfast via email

Birmingham
+44 (0) 121 354 9444
Contact Birmingham via email

Ivybridge
+44 (0) 1752 690200
Contact Ivybridge via email

Leeds
+44 (0) 113 261 9249
Contact Leeds via email

Manchester
+44 (0) 161 301 4051
Contact Manchester via email

Booking

Why do I now have to book an appointment?

During the week the regional centres run our Donkey Assisted Activities programmes so visitor times are restricted to weekends. Due to the smaller size of our teams that work within our regional centres the booking system allows us to work within the centres maximum capacity while still allowing for a personal experience for visitors.

What if I do not have access to the internet or relevant device to book online?

If you do not have access to the internet or a relevant device to book online, you can telephone the regional centre you are interested in visiting and they can book an appointment for you if one is available.

Do I have to pay to book?

Booking and entrance into all our centres is free of charge. As our charity relies purely on the generosity of the public, you are more than welcome to contribute a donation while you are visiting the site.

Can I book to come every weekend, or a morning and an afternoon slot on the same day?

Please be aware that the number of appointment slots is limited. To ensure that the booking system remains fair and that everyone gets a chance to see our lovely donkeys, please do not make repeat bookings covering consecutive weekends or two slots on the same day.

Do I have to book an appointment for a child?

Appointments need to be booked for children five years and over. Children under five do not require an appointment. Children over the age of twelve can be booked as an adult. We welcome pushchairs on site.

What if I cannot attend my appointment?

If you cannot attend the appointment you have booked, please cancel it by calling the centre you wish to visit. As you will appreciate, appointments to visit our donkeys are in high demand, so by cancelling an appointment you cannot attend, you are freeing up this slot for other supporters.

Do I need to print off my booking confirmation?

You will need to provide proof of confirmation of your booking. If you cannot print your booking confirmation, please have your confirmation email ready to show a member of staff on your phone. If you are unable to book online and you do so by phoning the centre, we will provide you with instructions about how to verify your booking upon entry.

On-site

What can I expect from my visit?

As always, our staff will be on hand to talk to visitors about the donkeys, including those on the adoption scheme. Visitors will have the chance to see the different areas in which the donkeys live, learn about how we care for them, discover the dynamics of the herd and get answers to all questions that they may have about our donkeys.

Are dogs allowed on site?

Belfast - Dogs are not allowed on site.

Birmingham - Well-behaved dogs are welcome on site but they must be kept on a lead at all times. However, please note there is no access for dogs in the refreshment serving area.

Ivybridge - Well-behaved dogs are welcome on site but they must be kept on a lead at all times. However, please note there is no access for dogs in the refreshment serving area.

Leeds - Well-behaved dogs are welcome on site but they must be kept on a lead at all times. However, please note there is no access for dogs in the refreshment serving area.

Manchester - Well-behaved dogs are welcome on site but they must be kept on a lead at all times. However, please note there is no access for dogs in the refreshment serving area.

Are there toilets on-site?

All of our centres have toilet facilities on site, including disabled access toilets.

Do you offer on-site parking?

All our centres have on-site parking. Please be aware that there may occasionally be local access restrictions to cars at some centres. This will be highlighted on the booking system, but if you are unsure please contact the centre you wish to visit for more information.

Is your site accessible for wheelchairs users?

All of our centres are wheelchair accessible, including our toilet facilities. The majority of our paths are flat to allow full access around the site. For any specific questions about disabled accessibility, please contact the centre you wish to visit for more information.

Are there any refreshments?

Our centres provide light refreshments, such as a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks.

What do I need to wear when I visit?

It is advisable to check the weather on the day you are visiting and come prepared (warm clothes in the winter months!). Wellies are not required, as our visitor areas are not muddy. All of our centres have indoor visitor spaces if the weather is inclement.

How long can we stay when we visit?

We have allocated two-hour time slots per appointment to allow plenty of time for visitors to explore the site, see the donkeys and enjoy refreshments if they wish. We ask visitors to arrive no more than 15 minutes before or after their appointed time to allow for entrance and parking, and to leave promptly at the end of your appointment.

Can I come in if I arrive early?

Please aim to arrive no more than 15 minutes earlier than your appointed time slot. Our staff carry out several donkey welfare tasks in the morning, such as feeding, cleaning and health checks, so will not be able to let you in before your appointed time.

What happens if I arrive late?

We understand that everyone experiences delays. Please contact the centre you are visiting to let them know if you think you may be late for your appointment. We hope you understand that because our time slots are in place, we will not be able to extend your appointment. The gates to the site will be shut during your visit to ensure that capacity numbers are managed.

Is there a gift shop?

We have gift shops on site that reflect a selection of the products sold through our Online Shop.

Donkeys

Will I be able to see my adoption donkey?

Every centre has at least one adoption donkey. You’ll be able to see the adoption donkeys as part of their herd, where the staff will be able to talk to you about their history, characteristics, antics... everything that makes them who they are. Our adoption donkeys are always treated as part of their wider herd, so please understand that you are coming to see our whole herd of donkeys, of which your adoption donkey is a part.

As such, we do not bring adoption donkeys over to adopters individually, as we respect their freedom of choice to move around the fields. All animals benefit from having choice in their day-to-day routine and giving donkeys freedom to roam lets them choose a way of engaging with their environment that suits their needs best, whatever their character. If your adoption donkey is not in view, more often than not they will appear as they move within their environment if you wait patiently. We have done all we can to make sure visitors have access to as many viewpoints as possible, but we thank you for your understanding that, with animals who have freedom of choice, not every donkey will be in view all of the time.

Can we bring food for the donkeys?

Please DO NOT feed the donkeys. Their diets are carefully managed by our staff to make sure they receive the appropriate food. This also includes hand-picked grass. You are welcome to bring a selection of donkey treats (please see the area of our website describing safe treats for donkeys here). Our staff will receive your kind food donation and incorporate it into the donkeys’ carefully controlled diets.

Can I stroke the donkeys?

If the donkeys come over to the fence where you are standing, then of course feel free to stroke them. Be aware that some donkeys can be shy about having their ears and facial area touched, but they often like to be stroked and scratched on their back and their shoulders. Please follow advice from the staff on site – they know the donkeys very well. Please make sure you wash your hands after interacting with any of the donkeys.

Come and visit