Rydabus 2024

31 March 2024

Rydabus 2024

Save the date

Join us on 18 and 19 May for Rydabus 2024. Experience the nostalgia of beautiful vintage buses and enjoy a day of live music and donkey activities at the Sanctuary.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary will be a terminus for Rydabus, offering free parking and free entry. Dogs are very welcome at the Sanctuary.


Transport back in time

Go back in time! Hop aboard vintage buses for a nostalgic journey around the Island and discover the Isle of Wight's rich heritage from a unique vantage point.


Café comforts

Start your day the right way with breakfast snacks including bacon rolls and egg mayo flatbreads and hot drinks at our café, open from 8:30am onwards.

Fuel up before your adventure with freshly brewed coffee and a bacon roll or take a round trip back to the Sanctuary and finish off the day with a delicious cake. Or if you really want to treat yourselves, you can book an indulgent afternoon tea. Afternoon teas need to be booked at least 48 hours in advance by giving us a call on 01983 852693 and selecting option 2.


Donkey grooming

Along with all our donkeys, ponies, and mule to meet, there’s the chance to take part in donkey grooming between:
10:30am – 12:30pm

1:30pm – 3:30pm
Please
book online in advance, or on the day, subject to availability. 


We’ll also have live
music in the courtyard with The Tuesdayz on Saturday, and The Boogie Woogie Sisters and Melodic Choir on Sunday to enjoy, starting from 11am each day.



Recent Posts

by abigail.fox 28 May 2026
If you’re an HR professional looking to reconnect with the people side of your role, this is a wonderful opportunity to join our compassionate, values led team. At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary everything we do is guided by a clear purpose: providing refuge, new beginnings and exceptional care for donkeys and other equines in need. We’re looking for someone who values collaboration and who brings warmth and integrity to their work. You’ll be excited by the opportunity to combine your HR expertise with building meaningful relationships across the sanctuary. By supporting our team of staff and volunteers you’ll be making a lasting difference for both people and animals. What you’ll be doing Build positive relationships with staff and volunteers, providing a warm, approachable first point of contact for people-related support and guidance Support the recruitment and onboarding, helping create a welcoming and engaging experience for new team members and volunteers from first contact onwards Coordinate meaningful inductions, training, and development opportunities that help people feel confident, connected, and set up for success Help foster a positive, values-led culture by supporting wellbeing, performance conversations, and people experiences across the organisation Work collaboratively with managers to ensure people processes are delivered smoothly, fairly, and with integrity Key Skills & Experience Level 3 CIPD qualification (minimum) Experience in HR administration and recruitment for a similar size organisation Strong organisational and time management skills Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities Knowledge of HR systems and employment compliance Ability to handle confidential information with discretion Why work with us? At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, every day is a chance to make a difference — for our animals, our visitors, and our community. You’ll join a friendly, supportive team where kindness, connection, and care are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re helping someone settle into a new role, supporting colleagues, encouraging volunteer engagement, or building strong relationships across the organisation — your role will offer the chance to reconnect with the people side of HR while contributing to our vision of being a centre of excellence in donkey welfare. If this role is for you please apply on Isle of Wight Jobs .
A donkey looking over a fence
by abigail.fox 21 May 2026
Thank you to you!
Two people looking at each other with a donkey on either side of them
by abigail.fox 3 May 2026
Book a Donkey Experience for 2 this May and save £20!
A brown donkey with a white nose leaning it's head on a fence.
by abigail.fox 3 April 2026
There's lots happening at the sanctuary this spring.
by abigail.fox 3 April 2026
Come and join us this half term - 23 to 31 May
A donkey looks over a fence with his face resting on a 'do not feed the animals' sign
by abigail.fox 2 April 2026
It's so important that you don't feed them...
Show More