Festive Weekend - cancelled

Unfortunately we’ve had to make the tough decision to cancel our Festive Weekend planned for 14 and 15 December. We are so disappointed to have to cancel another event, but we’re planning to make up for it in 2025!

We’ll still be open 10am to 4.30pm next weekend Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December. Please do come along and support the sanctuary. All of us; donkeys, ponies and people alike would love to see you.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Companionship on Christmas Day

Our café will be open 10am to 12pm, Wednesday 25 December for tea, coffee and mince pies. Please come and join us for a chat and companionship on Christmas morning. The sanctuary itself will not be open, so there will be no access to our donkeys.

Christmas and New Year 2024 opening times

Please note we will be closed to visitors on 25, 26, 27 December 2024 and 1, 2, 3 January 2025. We will be closing at 3pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to give our teams some more time with family and friends.

Christmas gifts from the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

We have a range of delightful gifts to choose from plus buying from us means you’ll be supporting our donkeys at the same time.

We have some lovely things in our online shop, plus don’t forget our gifts that are unique to the sanctuary:

• A gift voucher for our Donkey Experience
  An unforgettable 2 hours spent with our staff and donkeys. Perfect for animal lovers who really want to get a good understanding of how we care for our animals and join our team to help out. This is a unique gift that will create long lasting memories.

• Adopt a Donkey – Adopt one of our lovely donkeys and receive an adoption pack including regular updates and photos. It’s the perfect way to support our sanctuary and bring a smile to someone’s face on Christmas Day.

• Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Hedgerow Gin. Our bespoke gin is beautifully crafted gin and made with hand-picked botanicals. It’s the perfect treat for the gin lover in your life. Available in 50ml and 70cl bottles. Buy in our onsite shop or order online direct from the producers: Hedgerow Gin | Island Spirits (isleofwightgin.com)

Donkey in the photo: Hovis.