Spend time with the family at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary this Easter

The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth makes the perfect free family day out this Easter while the new spring trail gives visitors the chance to win an Easter Egg too.

Set along the historic Jurassic Coast, the sanctuary is nestled in the heart of the countryside in the East Devon National Landscape.

The sanctuary is free to visit and there are daily talks, scenic walks, engaging exhibits, award-winning gardens and, of course, hundreds of adorable donkeys to meet.

With spring in full bloom, visitors can explore and discover some of the wildlife that live in and around the sanctuary with Drizzle’s Green Guardians Easter Trail. By following clues on their trail sheet, people will be able keeping an eye out for animals and plants that thrive around the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is home to thousands of insects, animals and plants, and Adoption donkey Drizzle and her friends lend a helping hand to boost the biodiversity on the land by grazing meadows and spreading seeds around in their coats. Trail sheets cost £5 each and people can choose an Easter Egg or rosette on completion.

The award-winning onsite restaurant The Kitchen is the ideal place for a break. With an extensive menu, using fresh, local seasonal produce, the venue comes complete with unparalleled countryside and coastal views.

Before heading home, the Gift Shop is the ideal place to pick up a souvenir, safe in the knowledge that every purchase supports the work of the charity.

On Wednesday 1 May, visitors can enjoy an afternoon with gardening supremo Anne Swithinbank. East Devon resident and renowned horticulturalist, Anne has been a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and visitors will have the opportunity to ask Anne all their gardening queries.

On what would also make the perfect Easter gift for someone, this specially curated event is a must for gardening enthusiasts and fans alike. The afternoon offers people the chance to take a guided walk through the delightful sanctuary gardens with Anne, engage in insightful discussion, seek valuable tips, before enjoying a locally sourced, seasonal afternoon tea in The Kitchen.

Tickets cost £30 per person and are available on The Donkey Sanctuary’s website.

The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is open daily from 9am – 5pm. Parking is also free and dogs on leads are welcome.