Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary's logo

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The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Rescue & welfare for donkeys

We offer any donkey in need a loving and forever home in the Wroxall valley on the Isle of Wight. Our charity relies entirely on donations, adoptions and fundraising from the public. Without you, we wouldn't exist.

Open all year

Open 7 days a week*, 10am - 4:30pm. No need to book, just pop in. Our donkeys can't wait to meet you.


* Closed Christmas day and New Years day.

Free entry and free parking

We offer free entry and free parking, with disabled spaces available.

No booking is required – feel free to visit us anytime during our opening hours.

Most of our visitors spend about 2-3 hours at our sanctuary (after-all, it takes time to say hello to over 100 donkeys and ponies!), but you're welcome to stay as long as you like.

Dog friendly

Well behaved dogs are welcomed with open hooves! We have even won awards for the best place to bring your dog on the Island.

Activities & events

There are over 100 donkeys and Shetland ponies for you to meet and interact with, such as grooming, mucking out, and walking (subject to availability).


Follow the Information Trail signage to learn loads about our animals, and a donkey spotting sheet is given for free on arrival. We also have fun, free, family friendly events throughout the year.

Adopt your favourite furry friend!

There are over 50 donkeys, ponies, and mules to adopt - pop in to the adoption hub, our shop, or adopt online.

Adopt a donkey

Grazers Cafe

Enjoy delicious homemade food in Grazers Cafe - our beautiful converted barn - whilst looking over the paddocks, or bring a picnic and relax in the Wildlife Meadows.

See the menu

Do you have a question about visiting us, or anything else? We have some answers.

See FAQs

Our key aims

Supporting our donkeys

Supporting our donkeys, image of a staff member at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary cuddling a donkey

We rescue (primarily) British donkeys who have been abandoned, made homeless, have lost their grazing or can no longer be looked after. We give the absolute best care to our donkeys, and have a welfare regime to match their individual needs. Our staff look after most of the medical needs of our donkeys, ranging from minor scrapes, coughs and colds, to more serious conditions.

Rescue stories Care & welfare

Learn at the IWDS

How did our donkeys get here? How do we look after them? We encourage learning about all aspects of our Sanctuary. Our signage around the site tells you about the donkeys' journeys and what it takes to run the farm, and our staff and volunteers are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Our story Explore

Interact with our donkeys

Our donkeys provide sensory experiences for residential homes or people with special needs

Our donkeys visit residential homes within the Isle of Wight community, where they provide a delightful sensory experience for residents and staff alike. We visit Alzheimer’s Centres, organisations for those with special needs, day centres, and nursing homes. Our donkeys love the fuss and attention, whilst humans love our donkeys.


You can get close to our donkeys when you visit by grooming or walking them, and more.

Therapy & community Book activities

Come and see us!

Fun happy donkey who would like to yo visit the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary to learn about the lives of our donkeys

Tour the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary with a guide, learn about how we rescue donkeys, how we care for them, what we feed them with, why the vet attends to them, and what the farrier does. Have your picture taken with a donkey - they love posing! Learn their individual stories and why they need your help.

How you can help Visit us

Online shop

Let's go shopping!

  • Christmas goodies header image for the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary's online shop
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    Keeping the Sanctuary open

    What does it cost?

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    Rescued donkeys

    Acres of paddocks & farmland

    Years of rescuing animals

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    Donkey Therapy visits

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