Winter Opening Times

7 October 2025

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary winter opening hours 2025/26 

We’re delighted to let you know that the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary will be open 7 days a week this winter.

From Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 27 March 2026, we will be open 10.30am to 3.00pm, with the last orders for hot food in the café at 2.30pm.

These slightly shorter winter hours will give us more time each day to focus on caring for our donkeys, ponies and mule, while still keeping the sanctuary open seven days a week to welcome visitors.

The sanctuary will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. However, on Christmas Day our café will be open from 10.00am to noon, serving complimentary tea, coffee, mince pies, and a friendly chat. Please note that walkways and barns will not be accessible to the public on that day.

We look forward to welcoming everyone this winter!

We will return to our regular opening hours of 10.00am to 4.30pm, 7 days a week, from Saturday 28 March 2026, ahead of the Easter holidays.

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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 .
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