Held at The Donkey Sanctuary’s beautiful site near Sidmouth, the Summer Fair on Sunday 12 August, is by far the sanctuary’s biggest event of the year.

Promising a fun day out for the whole family, the Summer Fair features a packed programme of events including live music, trailer rides, Punch and Judy, archery, go-karting, traditional family games and bouncy castles. Plus, the chance to meet the resident donkeys!

Delicious refreshments will be available throughout the day and when it’s time for some retail therapy, the shopping village will provide something for everyone from its craft and produce stalls.

Visitors to the Summer Fair can take the opportunity to visit the rest of the site and find out about the work of The Donkey Sanctuary in the new Exhibition Barn. Donkeys are a vital lifeline for communities around the world and visitors can see exactly how they help people and what The Donkey Sanctuary is doing to improve donkey welfare and to make sure their contribution to humanity is fully valued.         

Throughout the summer, between 16 July and 30 September, visitors can enjoy a game of hide and seek with The Donkey Sanctuary’s adoption donkeys and explore the sanctuary to find the hidden items. Trail sheets cost £3 and include a treat on completion.

John Crouch, visitor engagement manager at The Donkey Sanctuary says: “Summer is well and truly here at The Donkey Sanctuary. The highlight of our event calendar is the Summer Fair, with a plethora of stalls and games for all ages, live music, food and our star adoption donkeys.”

This stunning new restaurant, The Kitchen has been designed to allow diners to relax in spacious surroundings which are blessed with a modern-rustic charm, while the veranda provides a special dining experience overlooking the donkeys’ paddocks and views to the Jurassic Coast. While the gift shop offers lots of donkey inspired goodies to suit all pockets and the ideal place to pick up a souvenir of the day.

No visit to The Donkey Sanctuary would be complete without meeting some of the resident donkeys, including the gentle giant Poitou donkeys, charismatic adoption donkeys and cute miniature donkeys.

Entry to the Summer Fair costs £2 for adults and under 12s are free. Dogs on leads welcome. All proceeds go towards The Donkey Sanctuary’s work in the community and worldwide.

For more information please call or email 01395 573156 events@thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk