The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

 

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is located between Godshill and Ventnor, on the outskirts of Wroxall towards the south of the Isle of Wight and is home to over 100 donkeys and ponies. The Sanctuary is open 7 days a week, all year round (except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), from 10am until 4:30pm. It is free entry and free parking, welcomes everyone, and is very dog friendly, allowing dogs to go everywhere, as long as they are kept on a lead.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary has been awarded a Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2023 it was awarded Red Funnel’s Isle of Wight Award for Best Place For Dogs and Best Large Attraction, and was awarded Best Family Attraction in Hampshire & IOW from the Muddy Stilettos awards.

The Sanctuary is set in 55 acres within Wroxall valley and surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary rescues and provides a forever home for any donkey in need. All the donkeys have very varied backgrounds when they are rescued, but all of them receive the same high level of care and welfare.

Whilst at the Sanctuary, visitors can take part in several free activity sheets available to pick up from the meet and greet hut, completing quizzes or trying to find all the donkeys. Visitors can also find delicious food in the Café, and a variety of items and gifts within the shop. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics and make the most of the wildlife area or follow one of the public footpaths around the area.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary relies entirely on donations to continue their work. They rely on visitors adopting donkeys, fundraising, taking part in activities, purchasing food or shop products, or leaving a legacy. The Sanctuary survives because of the goodwill and generosity of supporters and visitors.

The Isle of Wight Sanctuary has 4 main elements:

To rescue and support the health of homeless donkeys

To act as an education centre and support and provide learning through apprenticeships, volunteers, students, and children.

To be a visitor attraction in which visitors can meet the donkeys, and interact with them through various activities, and hold a number of event and open days throughout the year.

To provide a therapy programme in which our donkeys visit people with a variety of needs.

Whilst at the sanctuary, visitors can follow an information trail and take part in a quiz, they can tick off the donkeys they see on a donkey spotting sheet and can also take part in activities (subject to availability). The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is also home to Grazers Café and Browse and Brays Shop, where you can find delicious food and lots of fun, donkey related items. Alongside all of the adorable donkeys, there is also a wildlife area which is currently being developed to support the wildlife and a bridleway and footpaths that lead through the sanctuary and into the surrounding area.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary relies entirely on donations. It relies on people adopting donkeys, fundraising, taking part in activities, buying food and items in the shop and café, or leaving a legacy. The sanctuary survives because of the goodwill and generosity of supporters and visitors.

 

Donkey Adoptions

Adopting a donkey is another great way you can help the donkeys. An adoption makes a fabulous gift, too! If you have some questions about adopting a donkey, visit their FAQs here. 

From £25 per year or £2.50 per month, (minimum suggested donation).

Find out more about adoptions here

 

 

Trip Advisor reviews:

Such a special little place. The donkeys looked so happy and well cared for. We really enjoyed walking around and reading the descriptions of each donkey. Free admission but we donated and spent money in the lovely gift shop – Laura

Such a lovely afternoon spent seeing and visiting this donkey sanctuary. Fell in love with a handsome donkey called hulk. The donkeys you can see and feel from their coats and so well looked after. Staff are lovely and even done a halloween thing for the kids which was lovely. Thank you 🙂 – Portia R

Wonderful experience and great cafe. We visit the sanctuary a few times a year and it is always a wonderful experience. It is so nice to see the donkeys and ponies being so well cared for in lovely surroundings. We visited the new cafe for breakfast with was really fantastic. Good quality food and good service. The cafe is nicely done with a good selection – TravellingLady