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Zoos & Wildlife · Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

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Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Photo: iowdonkeysanctuary.org

  • Meet over 100 donkeys, mules and Shetland ponies
  • Book a Donkey Experience with behind-the-scenes access
  • Café overlooking the paddocks, or picnic in the meadows
  • Guided tour covering rescue, care, feeding and farrier visits
  • Adopt a donkey online or at the adoption hub

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a charity-run rescue home near Wroxall where you can meet over 100 donkeys, mules and Shetland ponies. There's no need to book — just turn up during opening hours, read the signage to learn about the animals, and stay as long as you like; most visitors spend two to three hours here. You can book a Donkey Experience for closer, behind-the-scenes access, enjoy the café overlooking the paddocks, or bring a picnic to the Wildlife Meadows. It's dog friendly, offers free entry and free parking, and suits families and animal lovers alike. Shanklin station and Shanklin beach are both around two miles away, and there are 237 bookable places to stay within five miles on BritStays.

Practical details

Open
Open all year, seven days a week, 10am-4.30pm
Time needed
Most visitors spend 2-3 hours
Parking
Free parking with disabled spaces available
Dogs
Dog friendly, well-behaved dogs welcomed
Booking
No booking needed to visit; coaches should book ahead

From the attraction's own website on 29 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.

Facilities

  • ✓ Cafe
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Gift Shop
  • ✓ Picnic Area
  • ✓ Guided Tours
  • ✓ Pet Friendly
  • ✓ Parking
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Official website ↗

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Places to stay near Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.

0.1 mi
The Lodge

The Lodge

🏖️ 2.15 miles from Shanklin (Excellent water quality)

Ventnor, Southern England

Sleeps 4

£587 per break

Check availability
0.3 mi
0.3 mi
0.3 mi
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0.5 mi

🎪 What's on near Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Events from SkiddleSkiddle

Portsmouth Audio Tour: Legends, Landmarks, and Legacy

Sat 14 Nov · 12:00

Portsmouth Audio Tour: Legends, Landmarks, and Legacy

HMS M33, Portsmouth · 13.0 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Temple - AFTERDARK

Sat 14 Nov · 20:00

Temple - AFTERDARK

The Loft, Southsea · 12.7 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Rise & Wild

Sun 15 Nov · 10:00

Rise & Wild

Treadgolds Warehouse, 1 Bishop Street, Portsmouth, Portsmouth · 13.0 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Portsmouth Audio Tour: Legends, Landmarks, and Legacy

Sun 15 Nov · 12:00

Portsmouth Audio Tour: Legends, Landmarks, and Legacy

HMS M33, Portsmouth · 13.0 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

🗓️ Make a break of it

Turn a visit to Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.

A weekend in the Isle of Wight: an accessible itinerary → A weekend in the Isle of Wight with the kids → A weekend in the Isle of Wight → 🗺️ Plan the drive to Isle of Wight Donkey San...

🚆 Or come by train

Live trains to Shanklin →

Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page

Directions ↗