The Donkey Sanctuary has Christmas all wrapped up

With the festive season fast approaching, The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth has something for all the family with a trio of seasonal events.

The Christmas Fair is the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping and the children will love meeting Santa in his grotto. Carols by Candlelight is a truly magical evening as the Sidmouth sanctuary is lit up with thousands of candles. The Adoption Donkey Christmas Stocking Trail is a great way of exploring the sanctuary and runs right through the festive season up until January.

Held over the weekend of 23 and 24 November between 10am and 4pm, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Christmas Fair is the ideal way to kick-start your Christmas shopping or simply treat yourself. The sanctuary's indoor arena will be packed with traders selling wonderfully unique items; from beautiful gifts and local crafts to delicious edible treats. Santa will put in a special appearance over the weekend, and children will be able to visit him in his Grotto, providing a magical Christmas experience to remember.

Winter-warming refreshments will be served throughout the weekend event and the East Devon Rock Choir will bring festive cheer to the fair on the Saturday afternoon between 1-1.30pm, with Christmas classics for everyone to singalong to.

Entry to the Christmas Fair costs £2.50 per person and includes a complimentary entry into the prize draw. Under 12s are free. A visit to Santa costs £4 per person and includes a small gift.

There will be a truly magical feel to The Donkey Sanctuary on Friday 13 December as thousands of candles illuminate the centre for the annual Carols by Candlelight evening. The event commences at 4pm, when the Exeter Railway Band will begin proceedings by playing a host of traditional tunes to get everyone feeling festive. Held in New Barn in the heart of the sanctuary, the carol service takes place surrounded by lots of friendly donkeys from 5pm. This event is free to attend.

The Adoption Donkey Christmas Stocking Trail gives visitors the opportunity to explore the Sidmouth sanctuary this Christmas. Follow the trail to find the stockings and discover what each of the sanctuary’s nine adoption donkeys are getting for Christmas this year, and claim a present and certificate on completion.

The festive family trail combines fun, exercise and brainpower, and costs £3 per trail, including a present and certificate. It runs between 9am and 4pm from 23 November to 5 January 2020.

The Sidmouth sanctuary provides the ideal opportunity to get out and about in the East Devon countryside and meet some of the hundreds of donkeys cared for by the charity. From the gentle giant Poitous, lovable adoption donkeys and adorable miniature donkeys.

The Gold Taste of the West award-winning restaurant The Kitchen, will be open throughout the winter  (excluding Christmas day), providing the perfect place to warm up and enjoy a delicious meal of locally sourced food. Hearty breakfasts, delicious lunches and tempting treats are dished up daily, alongside fabulous coast and country views.

For unique donkey inspired Christmas gifts that keep on giving, the Gift Shop offers something for everyone. Every purchase goes towards helping donkeys in need, not just at Christmas but all year round.

The restaurant, gift shop and visitor centre are closed on Christmas Day but the rest of the Sidmouth sanctuary remains open to visitors.

All proceeds go towards The Donkey Sanctuary’s work in the community and worldwide.