The Donkey Sanctuary

Overall rating

About

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare charity, based in the UK, working to protect and care for donkeys and mules. We currently have an incredible 5,800 donkeys in our care. Come and say hello to some of the 200 at Sidmouth, who can't wait to meet you! Our donkeys love to meet new people and you can discover their unique characters and stories. Can you find the gentle giant Poitou donkeys, or our gorgeous adoption donkeys? Come and cuddle our main yard donkeys or spot a miniature in one of the fields. During your trip you can also enjoy visiting our Hayloft restaurant, Visitors' Centre and Gift Shop. We also have a maze and children's outdoor play area, Nature Centre and beautiful walking trails where you can take in the wonderful wildlife and countryside that surround our donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon is open 365 days a year. Admission and parking are free, but donations are very welcome.

Reviews

Overall rating

(2 reviews)

Overall rating breakdown

5 2
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0

Access (avg.)

Parking (avg.)

Toilets (avg.)

4.5

Staff (avg.)

nell6568

Nov 2025

Lovely place to go!

The Donkey Sanctuary is a really lovely place to go, no visit to Cornwall/ Devon is complete without it! The staff are all really nice through the whole place, and the donkeys are adorable. The paths are wide but often gravel or a sort of plastic mesh which my wheels unfortunately kept catching on! There's no changing places toilet but there is a disabled. Unfortunately there were 3 bins in the corner so difficult to transfer! The lift up to the gift shop and toilets was a bit dodgy, it didnt always want to move, but a lovely member of staff helped us and pressed the buttons from the bottom so it worked. Lots of parking available. Wheelchairs and scooters available to hire (I should've hired a scooter and would next time!)

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tinahodgkinson

Jun 2018

Hundreds of donkeys, lots of fun and great accessibility

The Donkey Sanctuary is a charity which looks after abandoned and neglected donkeys. The centre is open daily for visitors to see the donkeys. There is also a brand new step free visitors' centre (I visited 2018) with restaurant and shop. Most of the paths are wheelchair accessible.

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Disabled Access Information for The Donkey Sanctuary

Disabled Access at The Donkey Sanctuary

Access to the main facilities is via even tarmac or concrete surfaces. The Visitors' Centre is easily accessible from the main car park; there are no steps to negotiate. It has wide, side-hinged doors for wheelchairs access. Benches are situated outside the doors. Much of the main site is level; there is a slight incline to some areas. There are tarmac, concrete and grass surface paths. All central walkways are wide with plenty of benches. All internal public areas are at ground level

Lift to all areas

The venue is on multiple levels, with lifts available to all areas.

Seating at regular intervals

Seating is available at regular intervals

Disabled access

Step-free route with firm surface from car park to entrance

There is a step-free route with a firm surface from the parking to the main entrance or an alternative step-free entrance.

Accessible retail space

The retail space is accessible, with step-free access and space to move around easily.

Step-free entrance

There is step-free access at the main entrance or an alternative entrance.

Wheelchair-accessible food and beverage outlet

There is at least one wheelchair-accessible food and beverage outlet on site.

Step-free access to most areas

There is step-free access to all or most areas. This may include access by ramp or lift.

Accessible parking at The Donkey Sanctuary

The main car park has facilities for approx. 80 cars parking on stone chippings, plus 9 designated disabled spaces on tarmac. An overflow grass car park is used at the peak of the season, special events etc, and has spaces for a further 600 cars. The main car park has limited lighting; the attraction closes at dusk. The main car park is situated within the heart of the Sanctuary with easy access to the Visitors' Centre and main facilities. The overflow car park is located within approx. 200 metres of the main car park - access is along a grass pathway.

Dedicated on-site parking

On-site accessible parking bays are available within 50 metres of the entrance.

Electric Vehicle Charging

There is an accessible electric vehicle charging point

Drop-off or pick up point

There is a drop-off or pick up point less than 50 metres from the accessible entrance.

Toilets features at The Donkey Sanctuary

There are two WC blocks; one is located next to the main car park, the other is near the restaurant. Both blocks are easily accessible with a wheelchair. Each block has baby changing facilities, non-slip flooring and facilities for visitors with limited mobility. Doors are side-hinged, one block has a cubicle with an outward opening door. Each block has a cubicle with grab-rails. Hand-washing facilities are designed for ease of use by visitors with limited mobility, e.g. lever taps.

Accessible toilet

A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements is available within the main public areas.

Accessible formats at The Donkey Sanctuary

Large print

Information is available in large print format.

Accessible services at The Donkey Sanctuary

We have a limited number of wheelchairs* and two mobility scooters* available to pre-book for visits to our Sidmouth sanctuary. Please telephone us on 01395 578222 or book online. Please note, that a fully refundable £20 cash deposit is required for the hire of our wheelchairs and mobility scooters. You will also be required to sign an insurance disclaimer before the equipment is released to you. We also have a Tramper available to hire in partnership with Countryside Mobility. (Weight limit 25 Stone). Countryside Mobility is an initiative to make the countryside more accessible, with over 50 hire locations in the South West and beyond.

Assistance dog facilities

Disability awareness/equality training

Staff have received disability awareness or equality training.

Wheelchair hire

Wheelchairs are available for visitors to hire or borrow.