The Donkey Sanctuary, United Kingdom > Reviews (4)

I have to say that this place is one of the best. I have visited it so many times over the years can't actually recall how many times I've been and I don't even live near the area!!!!

So this is the home for abused and unwanted donkeys. it has been very interesting over the years to see how this has developed and it just gets better and better. Donkeys tend to have that sad put up on look anyway but when you watch the free video about the donks, read the information on the fences about them and talk to staff you can't help feeling that they have that look for a good reason. When you hear what some people have done to the donkeys it makes you feel so glad that the DS exists. Also living amongst the abused donkeys are ones who have lead a good life but people just can't look after them anymore. This is therefore a lovely place for their retirement (the donkeys not the people that is!!) The other great thing about this place is that although it is a charity itself it provides donkey therapy! There is an area where special needs children can come and ride/pet the donkeys. The donkeys are specially picked for this. Obviously the gentle and calm donkeys are used. They visit schools and retirement homes with the donkeys - 1, so children/adults learn about the donkeys and get to see/pet one and 2 to give some donkey therapy to those who have mobility problems. Could you imagine not being able to get out much then a donkey trots through your door to come and visit you!! From what I have read and heard this is a great success. It's a bit like we help the donkeys then they help us!

Location
The Donkey sanctuary (DS) is really easy to find. It is off the main road that links Seaton (Devon not cornwall!) to Sidmouth (sorry absolutley rubbish at remembering road numbers!) Buses do run along this road but i don't think pass the sanctuary. it is a bit of a walk to the DS but it is a very nice walk. I think though if you had mobility problems it might be a bit too far. (But then I am lazy and walking anywhere is sometimes a bit too far!)
As you drive/walk towards the sanc there are donkeys all around in the fields just chilling out!
When you arrive at the sanc there is a good sized car park which is right near the sanctuary. As you walk towards the DS there are donkeys in the fields and a great view down to the sea.

General Details of DS layout
As the DS is free there are 2 ways to get in the sanctuary.
The first entrance you walk straight down, pass the gift shop and the free video to watch. You go though a wide gate and there is a big stable normally with loads of donkeys in it eating and some smaller stalls. here the donkeys wander around amongst the public. You then go through the gates where there are some marked walks. In this area you have enclosed fields for donkeys who are convalescing etc and also the donkeys that you can adopt! There are refreshments,toilets,benches all around, an area where special needs and disabled children can ride the donkeys and the donkey hospital .

if you walk pass the refreshments and walk away from the last gate you came though you arrive around to the front of the DS just up from where you went in and passed the shop. Therefore you can reverse your route and go in that way and that is the second entrance.

Adopt a donkey
There are a number of donkeys up for adoption (not on a take home and live in your house basis though!) these come at different prices but are not really expenses. If you adopt a donkey you can ask staff to take you to the donkey you've adopted. They are also in a paddock of their own so if you did want to adopt ask staff to tell you where they are and you could have a look at them to help make a decision about the one you wish to adopt! Information regarding adoption is in the shop or on the website.

Video
Just pass the shop is a little room with seats where they run a video on a loop about the sanctuary and the donkeys. This is free to watch. This is a very interesting video if you want more information. Be aware though part of it is quite sad - so if you get weepy over mistreated animals take a hanky with you!

Wheelchair access
There are no steps as far as I can remember and the first entrance is on a sight slope but there is easy access to the area where the donkeys walk about and stables are. I think you can get a wheelchair though the gate at the back but if not the second entrance has no steps and no gates etc so would be no problem with a wheelchair. The paths around the areas with the donkeys fenced in are flat and plenty of space for wheelchair access. I'm not sure if access to the old block of toilets is easy but i think with the new block it is. Also special needs children do come here, some of them in wheelchairs so good wheelchair access would obviously be very important to the sanctuary.

Refreshments
have never had refreshments here so can not give you an idea of prices but there are tables to sit at and benches. Not sure if they do hot food but have seen people with sandwiches, tea etc

Gift Shop
The gift shop is not cheap,cheap but does a variety of gifts/momentos and if you haven't a lot of pennies to spend you can get a cheap momento. But remember the DS is free so any money spent in the DS will go towards the running of the sanctuary/care of donkeys and they do have some very sweet donkey items in there!

Staff
The staff are very friendly and helpful and know their stuff about donkeys.

I can't praise the DS enough. It is such a lovely place to go and being able to stroke and wander around the donkeys by the stable area is a real treat that I would imagine children would love. We are not talking about a theme park sanctuary here just a nice peaceful place where abused and unwanted donkeys can spend the last of their days in a lovely environment. The sanctuary has got walks but you don't need to traipse any distance at all to see the donkeys. If you are near the sanctuary area and you like animals it is one of the top places to go. It is free and you don't feel pressurised to make a donation but of couse every penny helps. Do not miss this place it is well worth a visit.