Protecting our visitors, staff and donkeys

The health, safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and donkeys are paramount at The Donkey Sanctuary and are the overriding factor in our decision-making.

Some of the measures set out below may be clearly visible to you across the sanctuary, others require consideration and cooperation before visiting to help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable but safe visit.

Before you arrive

  • Where possible, we are asking visitors to make payments using a 'contactless' bank card, rather than cash.
  • Please check our website and social media pages for the latest information and updates.

On arrival

Visitors will notice information signage informing them of key safety messages. Please also wash/sanitise your hands on arrival.

We kindly ask that you adhere to and respect all the instructions given by our team members.

During your visit

Please make regular use of our hand washing and sanitiser stations situated throughout the sanctuary. As with our staff, we politely request that all visitors uphold the highest possible hygiene standards.

Visitors can either choose to dine in at The Kitchen (subject to table availability) or purchase refreshments to takeaway and enjoy in our outdoor picnic areas. Only refreshments purchased from The Kitchen can be consumed inside the restaurant; please use the picnic areas if you wish to consume food and drink you have brought with you.

Watch our video before you visit for advice on how to stay safe.

Avoiding infection during your visit

Visiting our sanctuary is an enjoyable experience for many people, particularly children. However, such visits can never be free from all risks.

While donkeys do not present as much risk as farmed animals, we want your visit to be safe as well as enjoyable. Watch our video before you visit us for advice on how to stay safe.

After your visit

We value all feedback which we will use to inform developments at the sanctuary, so please do let us know how we did during your visit. You can leave us a review in the following ways:

We thank you for your support and understanding and, above all else, hope you have a great donkey day out.

Frequently asked questions

What are your opening hours?

Our Sidmouth Sanctuary is open seven days a week from 9am - 5pm, with last entry to the car park at 4:30pm.

Do I need to pre-book my visit?

Pre-booking is not required, but we recommend checking our website and social media pages for the latest information and updates before leaving home.

Pre-booking for group visits is essential. For more information or to book your group visit, please call 01395 578222.

Are you accepting group visits?

Yes, we welcome groups of any size all year round. 

Pre-booking for groups is essential. For more information or to book your group visit, please call 01395 578222.

What measures remain in place to keep staff and visitors safe?

We have a number of handwashing stations / sanitiser points located in key areas around the sanctuary.

We have introduced enhanced cleaning procedures throughout the day, which seek to disinfect high frequency touch points.

We have marked out parking bays so you can park and disembark safely.

Will I be able to visit my adoption donkey?

Yes, all the walkways around the sanctuary will be open, allowing plenty of opportunities to visit your adoption donkey.

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.

Is The Kitchen restaurant open?

Yes, The Kitchen is open daily from 9am – 4pm, with breakfast served from 9am - 11am and lunch from 11.30am - 3pm.  

We offer the option of dining in the restaurant or you can purchase food and drink to takeaway and enjoy in our outdoor picnic areas. 

Is the Gift Shop open?

Yes, the Gift Shop is open daily from 9am - 4pm. 

Please avoid touching anything that you are not intending to buy.

Which indoor areas are open?

Most indoor areas and facilities are open, only the Video Room remains closed at this time to provide a dedicated rest area for our front of house team.

Which outdoor areas are open?

All walkways around Slade House Farm and Trow Farm (not Trow Offices) will be open providing plenty of opportunities to interact with the resident donkeys. Please DO NOT feed the donkeys, their diets are carefully managed by our staff to make sure they receive the appropriate food.

The Play Area and Maze are also open, but Hermitage Woods remains closed at this time.

Why are the Hermitage Woods and the Nature Centre closed?

This area is closed due to ash dieback. We will comply with Natural England best practices and treat 300 trees in this woodland. As part of our conservation strategy we will also be planting new trees at a number of our farms.

Can I visit the Field of Dreams?

Yes, the higher section is open for visitors to enjoy, but scattering of ashes is by appointment only. Please call us in advance on 01395 578222 to arrange this.

Can you show me the new map of the site?

Yes, please find our full map here.

Will you be running an activity trail for families?

Yes, we run regular trails, providing lots of family fun while visiting. Find out about our current trail

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are welcome at the sanctuary but they must be kept on a lead at all times. Please note, dogs are welcome in the restaurant but please keep them under your table and out of the walkway at all times.

Do you accept cash?

Yes, although cards are the safest payment method for you and our staff.

Will you be resuming donkey experiences when you reopen?

Due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, we do not plan to resume donkey experiences for the foreseeable future. We understand this is disappointing, but the safety of our visitors, staff and donkeys is our top priority.

Are your other centres open to the public?

Our regional centres (Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds and Manchester) are open to visitors at select times. Learn more about our new visitor experience

Opening times:

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

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

Where are the miniature donkeys?

The miniature donkeys’ paddock is undergoing a complete refurbishment.

It is being redesigned to give them more freedom, choices, enrichment and a better all-round life experience.

This will include lots of tasty grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees, as well as interesting features which they can explore and interact with.

Because donkey friendships are important, they have moved together to a temporary new home at Stoneleigh. If you would like to see them, please follow the signs or ask our visitor team for directions.

The Minis will return once the work has finished and the paddock is ready for them. We expect this to take up to 18 months.