Christmas Fair weekend at The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary is holding a Christmas Fair weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November from 10am until 4pm. There will be a fantastic range of hand crafted items, festive gifts and edible treats on offer, and Father Christmas will be visiting with his donkeys.

Kick-start your Christmas shopping, or simply treat yourself, at The Donkey Sanctuary’s fabulously festive Christmas fair, which will be taking place over two days.

The arena will be packed full of talented local crafters; including, Ash Tree Pottery, Love Lottie Rose, My Paper Days, Knot Perfect Wood Work, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Chop ‘N’ Board and MakeArt Devon; selling a wonderful array of Christmas decorations, wood turnery, pottery and ceramics, beauty and skincare, and more. The Donkey Sanctuary will also be selling donkey gifts and memorabilia.

Visit Father Christmas and his donkeys in his traditional grotto and receive a special gift. Santa’s Grotto is on a first-come first-serve basis, so make sure you arrive early.

As well as their usual range of freshly-prepared breakfasts, lunches and cakes, the Hayloft restaurant will be offering a selection of festive specials, including Chunks turkey and cranberry pasties, and a seasonal favourite - triple chocolate sparkle cake. The Landy Girls will also be serving teas, coffees, mulled wine, mince pies and baps, straight from their converted Land Rover.

Chris Phillips of The Donkey Sanctuary said: “Due to the popularity of last year’s fair, we have decided to run this event over two days. This is the perfect opportunity to find unique, locally made items just in time for Christmas and to get into the festive spirt with seasonal treats and, of course, the jolly man himself!”

Make a day of it, meeting some of the 500 donkeys who are cared for at the Sidmouth site, including giant Poitou donkeys, gorgeous adoption donkeys and marvellous miniature donkeys; you can even cuddle a donkey or two in the Main Yard! Explore the maze, let off some steam in the farm-themed outdoor play area and bring the dog along for a scenic coast and country walk around the heart of the Sanctuary.

Event Admission: £2 per person, which includes entry into the Sanctuary’s prize draw. Under 12’s go free. £4 per child to meet Santa and receive a gift. For more information, please email events@thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or call 01395 578222. Find out more about the Sanctuary’s events at www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/events

When:  Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November 10am until 4pm

Where:  The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU

The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth is open seven days a week, from 9am till dusk. It holds events and open days throughout the year and all proceeds go towards The Donkey Sanctuary’s work in the community and worldwide.