Summer activities at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

21 July 2024

Summer fun at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary!


Join us for a summer filled with exciting activities at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary from July 27 to August 31 2024.

Whether you're a devoted donkey lover or just seeking a fun day out, we have something for everyone, every day of the week.


Our daily summer activities


Donkey Experiences:

Our favourite activity - a chance for you to get fully immersed at life at the donkey sanctuary for a couple of hours. This really is something special!
You'll be with a member of our dedicated and expert team for a unique behind-the-scenes experience of our sanctuary. Find out how we care for our animals, take care of a donkey yourself right down to mucking out or picking up poo!

Read a review from May 2024:

"I had a wonderful experience being hands on with feeding, mucking out, grooming and walking the donkeys. Sam was a superb mentor during my time there and I learned so much about the charity and the donkeys themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and would highly recommend it."   

The Isle of Wight Donkey Experience is available twice a day all year round at 11am and 1.30pm. Please book at least 72 hours in advance. We take reservations and check with our yard team before confirming your booking. Reserve your place online.


Meet Our Donkeys Tours:

Twice a day, at 11.30am and 1.30pm you can join our free tours to learn about our sanctuary and hear stories about our lovely donkeys and ponies. The tours are always very popular, please book your tour in advance on our website.


Extra summer activities


Pamper a Donkey:

Learn how we care for our donkeys and enjoy the chance to pamper them, cuddle them and get up close! This 50 minute session is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and 11am and 1.30pm plus an extra session at 2.30pm on a Monday only. Book your session online.


Pamper a Shetland Pony:

Discover how we care for our super Shetland ponies and get hands-on with pampering them, including their lovely long manes and forelocks! Available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1.30pm. Book your session online.


Donkey Grooming Sessions:

A brilliant opportunity to spend 15 minutes giving one of our donkeys a groom; help make them look their best while enjoying plenty of cuddles. Available on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Book your grooming session online.


Picnic Meadow Storytime:

Relax in our Picnic Meadow this summer and meet Rosie Button and Kangarillapig! They’ll be here  for 30 minutes of storytime, singing and dancing every Wednesday from July 31 to August 28 at 11am and 1pm.

Free activity - weather dependent.


Find out more about what's on and all our activities. Don't forget Music in the Courtyard most weekends.

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...
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