The Donkey Sanctuary

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Home

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An aerial view from behind the maze overlooking the heart of the sanctuary towards to the sea.

More information for Home :
Our Story

The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen.

Her decision to buy a donkey named Naughty Face would alter the fate of incalculable numbers of donkeys around the globe over the years to come.

Today, we continue to transform the lives of donkeys in need worldwide. We foster a greater understanding of these often misunderstood creatures and promote mutually life-enhancing relationships.

Our headquarters at Slade House Farm, set in the stunning surroundings of Sidmouth, Devon, is open to visitors seven days a week.

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Our Story
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Additional media and information for Home :

The following media is available by clicking on hotspots in the scene. This is additional information about items in the scene.


Hotspot 1 Miniature donkeys

Discover our miniature donkeys enjoying life in the beautiful Devon countryside.

New Barn

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A view of donkeys eating straw inside a wooden barn

More information for New Barn :
Main Herd

New Barn Donkeys

New Barn Donkeys

At the heart of The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth, The New Barn is home to around 50 donkeys, all different colours, ages and sizes.

The New Barn has a 24/7 webcam installed. See what our donkeys get up to when enjoying some time inside.

Watch the webcam
Adopt Theo
Adopt Tat

Sand Area

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A view of the sand walkway for main yard donkeys to access the grass paddock.

More information for Sand Area :
Main Herd

Sand Track

Sand Track

This is the track between the donkeys yard and their fields. The sand allows the donkeys access to more room and further roaming when the weather stops them from accessing the field.

Live webcam
Adopt Tat
Adopt Theo

Main Yard Field

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A view of main yard grass paddock which is home to our largest herd of 50 donkeys.

More information for Main Yard Field :
Main Herd

New Barn Donkeys

New Barn Donkeys

The field for the donkey who live in New Barn. This is just off main yard across a sand area where donkeys can graze, forage, run and play. The donkeys are able to access the field 24/7 in the summer months and during the day in the winter months providing the ground is dry enough for the donkeys not to slip.

Live webcam
Adopt Theo
Adopt Tat

Shelter 1

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A large green field with wooden fences around and a clear blue sky featuring a mixed herd of white, brown and grey elderly donkeys.

More information for Shelter 1 :

Shelter 1 Donkeys

Shelter 1 Donkeys

This is the start of our shelter walk and the home to a very friendly group of donkeys, including adoption donkeys Drizzle and Tornado.

Live Webcam
Adopt Drizzle
Adopt Tornado

Shelter 2

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A large green field with wooden fences around and a clear blue sky featuring a mixed herd of white, brown and grey elderly donkeys.

More information for Shelter 2 :

Shelter 2 Donkeys

Shelter 2 Donkeys

Shelter 2 is home to our older donkeys here at Sidmouth. The average lifespan of a donkey in the UK is between 27-30 years, but the oldest donkey in our care lived to be 57 years of age!

Our older donkeys have shavings for bedding instead of the usual straw. This reduces dust, which helps older donkeys who may have difficulty breathing.

Cocoa and Walter, two of our wonderful adoption donkeys, live in this shelter.

Live webcam
Adopt Walter
Adopt Cocoa

Shelter 3

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A view of the shelter 3 yard and barn, featuring a mixed herd of white, brown and grey blind or partially sited donkeys.

Shelter 4

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A large green field with wooden fences around and a clear blue sky featuring a mixed herd of white, brown and grey donkeys.

More information for Shelter 4 :

Shelter 4 Donkeys

Shelter 4 Donkeys

Shelter 4 is home to our adoption donkeys Ashley, Cleo and Zena and their herd of young donkey friends.

There are some lovely characters at this shelter who are guaranteed to entertain.

Live Webcam
Adopt a donkey
Donate

Shelter 5

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A view of a grass paddock surrounded by trees featuring a mixture of brown, white and grey mules.

Shelter 6

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A view of shelter 6 grass paddock with two Poitou donkeys and two mules.

More information for Shelter 6 :

Shelter 6 Donkeys

Shelter 6 is now home to a group of three mules called Elmo, Jenny Lopez and Mabel.

Shelter 6 was home to adoption donkey, Percy, who sadly passed away in October 2025 and fellow Poitou Champagne, who sadly passed away in July 2025.

Live Webcam
Donate

Miniature Donkeys

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A view of the grass paddock which is home to our miniature donkeys

Salston Paddock

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A view of the grass paddock at our salston boxes.

Guardian Paddock

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A view of the grass paddock where donkeys suitable for our Rehoming scheme live before moving to their Guardian home.

Cottage Shelter

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A view of the yard with a blue sky featuring a mixture of white, brown and grey donkeys which participate in our Donkey Assisted Activities.

More information for Cottage Shelter :

Donkey Assisted Activities Donkeys

Donkey Assisted Activities Donkeys

Our Donkey-Assisted Activities (DAA) donkeys work as part of a range of programmes which are attended by a broad range of clients, catering to diverse ages, backgrounds, cultures and personal journeys.

Our DAA programmes have given us the means to offer our services to a vast client base while honouring the freedom of choice for the donkeys. We are all unique, and we encourage one another to celebrate our differences, and foster a community free of intolerance and discrimination, creating safe spaces for pause and reflection.

More about Donkey Assisted Activities
Donate
Contact us

Buffalo Barn

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A large green field with wooden fences around and a clear blue sky featuring a mixed herd of white, brown and grey large donkeys.

More information for Buffalo Barn :

Buffalo Barn

Buffalo Barn

Buffalo Barn is home to our herd of gentle giants.

During the summer months they enjoy spending time in their large paddock, while for the winter months the herd like to spend time down on their yard. If you are visiting the sanctuary, it is worth going on the short walk to see them to appreciate their true size and lovable nature.

Live webcam
Donate

Garmston

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A large green field with wooden fences around and a clear blue sky featuring a mixed herd of white, brown and grey donkeys.

Chelsea Garden

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A view of a garden that was at Chelsea Flower Show

Rose Garden

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A view of a donkey statue in a garden with roses

Russell Garden

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A view of a statue of donkey in a memorial garden

Shelter Walk

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Walk around shelter 1 - 6 to see all the adoption donkeys at Sidmouth

Walk C

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A View of walkway C which is used as access to Buffalo Barn

Picnic Area

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A view of picnic benches over looking paddocks with miniature donkeys

Play Park

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A view of the outside play area overlooking the outside seating area

The Maze

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A view of the start of the maze with walkways to the memorial ways and path to Buffalo Barn

Main Yard

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A view of the Main Yard with access to walkways, visitor centre and gift shop

Exhibition Barn

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A view of an exhibition area with a wooden Land Rover with steps for children to play and a wall showcasing our work.

Understanding Donkey Zone

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A room with benches with interactive facts about donkeys

Dr S Hut

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A view of a desk and Dr Svendsen's belongings inside her hut

Indoor Areas - Main Entrance

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A view of the visitors entrance to The Donkey Sanctuary.

Visitor Atrium

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A view of the Entrance atrium which provides access the Kitchen, gift shop and main yard

The Kitchen

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A view of the order counter in The Kitchen and the tables.

More information for The Kitchen :

The Kitchen

The Kitchen

Take sanctuary in our award-winning restaurant and enjoy fresh, local, seasonal produce while soaking in coast and country views.

The Kitchen is open from 9am – 5pm in the summer, and 9am - 4pm in the winter. Breakfast is served from 9am-11am, lunch from 11.30am-3pm and snacks, cakes and drinks available all day. Pre-booking is not required.

Our menu
Contact Us

Terrace

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A view of the outside seating area and terrace of The Kitchen which overlooks a donkey paddock and the sea.

Takeaway Hut & Outside Eating Area

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A view of our takeaway hut outside the shop

The Gift Shop

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A view of our gift shop featuring donkey themed items, gifts and merchandise.

More information for The Gift Shop :

Gift Shop

Gift Shop

Open daily, browse our Gift Shop at your leisure in the knowledge that every purchase goes towards helping donkeys in need. Packed with quality cuddly toys, donkey games, stylish mugs, and special souvenirs, you will find something for everyone.

Shop Online
Contact Us
Visit Us