The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is, slightly improbably, one of the most-visited free attractions in Devon. A 200-acre working farm and rescue centre on the cliffs above Branscombe, set up in 1969, now caring for several hundred donkeys at any one time and maintaining a network of further sites across the UK and Europe. From Hole Mill it is a ten-minute drive. Free entry. Genuinely lovely. We send guests here when they have small children, when they need a low-effort half-day, or when they just want to spend an hour with a herd of donkeys.
This is the practical guide.
What it is, and why it matters
The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, a Devon hotelier and animal welfare campaigner, who took in a single rescue donkey and never quite stopped. By the time Dr Svendsen died in 2011, the charity had become the world's largest donkey welfare organisation. It now operates the Sidmouth headquarters, ten further sanctuaries across the UK and Europe, and a worldwide programme of veterinary support and donkey welfare advocacy.
The Sidmouth site is both the working headquarters of the charity and a public visitor centre. Roughly 400 donkeys live here at any given time — many in retirement, some recovering from neglect or injury, a few in foster care.
It is an unusually moving place to visit. Most of the donkeys have life stories that are publicly displayed near their stables — most rescued from neglect, abandonment, or working lives in poor conditions. The atmosphere of the sanctuary is genuinely calm, and the donkeys themselves are extremely affectionate.
What you can see and do
The sanctuary is laid out as a working farm with paths between paddocks. Visitors are free to wander, with no fixed route. Allow at least two hours.
Meet the donkeys
Most paddocks are visible from the path. Some have raised viewing platforms; some let you walk right up to the fence. The donkeys are generally curious about visitors and will usually come over for a stroke. The charity asks visitors not to feed them — the donkeys are on carefully managed diets and overfeeding is a real welfare risk.
There are typically several adoptable donkeys in residence whose stories are featured prominently. Adoption (a small monthly donation in exchange for updates and a yearly visit) is the sanctuary's main funding model.
The Information Centre
A modern visitor centre near the entrance with displays on the charity's history, the welfare issues facing donkeys worldwide, and information about each donkey on site.
Walks and tracks
Numerous waymarked tracks run through the wider 200-acre site, looping out to viewpoints over the South West Coast Path and back. The longest walk is about 2 miles and includes a stunning section above Weston Mouth — well worth doing if you have time.
The Sidmouth Town Walk
The clifftop section of the South West Coast Path runs through the sanctuary's land. You can walk from the visitor centre down to Weston Mouth (about 30 minutes) and back, with views east toward Branscombe and Beer.
The Children's Play Area and Maze
A small but well-designed play area near the entrance for younger visitors, and a willow-and-hedge maze that fits children up to about ten.
Volunteering and grooming sessions
On selected days, the sanctuary runs grooming sessions where visitors (over 16) can spend time grooming a specific donkey under guidance. Free, but booked in advance via the website.
Where to eat
The Kitchen at Slade House Farm — the on-site café/restaurant — is unusually good. Decent breakfasts, sandwiches, soups, hot lunches, cakes. All proceeds support the charity. Reasonably priced. The café is the main reason a half-day visit can easily turn into a full one.
If you want to combine your visit with a wider day out, The Hare & Hounds at Putts Corner is a 10-minute drive away and serves excellent gastropub food.
Practical information
Distance from Hole Mill: approximately 5 miles by road, 10-12 minutes by car.
Address: The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU.
Opening: 9 am to dusk, every day of the year (apart from Christmas Day). The visitor centre and café have shorter hours — generally 9 am to 4 pm.
Admission: free. Donations enthusiastically encouraged — there are donation points throughout the site.
Parking: large free car park on site. Even on bank holiday weekends, parking is generally available.
Dogs: allowed on a lead in most outdoor areas of the sanctuary, but not near the donkeys themselves. There is a separate dog walk on the surrounding land.
Accessibility: the visitor centre, café, and main paths are fully accessible. The wider site has uneven paths and some grass; mostly fine for buggies and wheelchairs but with some sections that may be more difficult.
When to go
The sanctuary is open year-round. Spring and summer are the busiest seasons but the site is large enough that it never feels crowded. Wet days are fine — most of the donkeys are accessible from covered viewing areas and the café is excellent for a long lunch.
Special events through the year include Easter family days, summer fetes, and Christmas grottos — see thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk for the current programme.
Combining with the rest of your day
A satisfying half-day:
- 10 am: drive to the sanctuary.
- 10.15 am: spend an hour or so meeting the donkeys.
- 11.30 am: walk down to Weston Mouth on the coast path.
- 12.30 pm: walk back to the sanctuary.
- 1 pm: lunch at the Kitchen.
- 2 pm: return to Hole Mill.
For a fuller day, pair it with Sidmouth in the morning and the sanctuary in the afternoon — or with a coastal walk and a visit to the Old Bakery tea rooms in Branscombe.
Why it is worth doing
The Donkey Sanctuary is, genuinely, one of the more affecting low-effort things you can do on a Devon holiday. It is free, it is well-organised, the donkeys are extraordinarily affectionate, the cause is clearly worthwhile, and the food is good. It also rains-proofs a holiday — most of the visit can be done on a wet day with a coat on, and the café is dry and comfortable.
It is a place that does not over-promise but consistently delivers a memorable, calm, slightly unusual half-day. Recommended without reservation.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a 12-minute drive from Hole Mill and one of the easiest, most reliably enjoyable half-days out we recommend. Check our availability for your dates, or browse our other East Devon guides.