Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 July 2010 18:42

The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth, in east Devon, is a registered charity working around the world to help prevent the suffering of donkeys. Sidmouth is about 100 miles from Chandlers Ford.

Its main site, Slade House Farm, provides permanent refuge to over 400 of its donkeys.  Many have been neglected or unwanted, whilst others have come from loving homes for a secure future, perhaps due to health reasons, for companionship, or the owner's circumstances may have changed.

No charge is made for admission or car parking as the Sanctuary considers that, being a charity dependent on the support of the public, visitors should be able to see its work free of charge.

Visitors are therefore free to spend as much time as they wish meeting the donkeys and taking strolls along its unique field walks.  Plenty of information about the work of the charity and gifts are available from the Visitors' Centre/shop and the Hayloft Restaurant offers a selection of hot and cold dishes, daily specials, sandwiches, cream teas, ice creams and picnic 'Nosebags'.

There is also a maze, video room, nature centre and four adorable donkeys to 'adopt', along with family picnic areas. Dogs on leads are welcome too.

The Sanctuary is open from 9am until dusk and further information is available by calling 01395 578222 or from our web site at: www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.

How to find the Sanctuary by car, bus, bicycle or on foot: The Sanctuary is situated just 30 minutes from the M5 Junction on the A3052 between Sidford and Seaton. On leaving Sidford follow the brown tourist sign at the top of the hill.

Alternatively, bus stops are located within easy walking distance for the following services:  Axe Valley Mini Travel 899, Stagecoach 52a and the Coastlinx 53/54 Jurassic Coast. If you are on foot, access to the Sanctuary can be found via Weston Mouth on the South West Coast Path whilst cyclists will find us on National Cycle Network route 2.

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