The Donkey Sanctuary has Christmas all wrapped with a trio of treats

With the festive season fast approaching, The Donkey Sanctuary has something for all the family with a trio of festive 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. Walter’s Winter Checklist is a great way of exploring the sanctuary and runs right through the winter.

The Christmas Fair, held over the weekend of 24 and 25 November is the ideal way to kick-start your Christmas shopping or simply treat yourself to a range of unique crafts, beautiful gifts and delicious edible treats. Santa will be paying a special visit to the sanctuary and children will have the chance to meet him in his grotto. Entry to the Christmas Fair costs £2 per person with under 12s free. A visit to Santa is £4 per person and includes a small gift.

Visitors have the chance to explore the sanctuary with Walter’s Winter Checklist and find out what special treatments Walter and his friends need during the winter to keep them healthy and happy. The trail runs from Saturday 24 November right through the winter. Trail sheets cost £3 each and include a prize and certificate when completed.

There will be a truly magical feel to The Donkey Sanctuary on Friday 14 December as thousands of candles illuminate the centre for the annual Carols by Candlelight evening. To get everyone in the festive spirit, a host of merry tunes precede the 45 minute carol service which commences at 5pm. Held in New Barn in the heart of the sanctuary, the carol service takes place surrounded by lots of friendly donkeys. This event is free to attend.

John Crouch, visitor engagement manager at The Donkey Sanctuary says: “The Donkey Sanctuary really has Christmas all wrapped up this year from Christmas shopping, visits to Santa and an evening of merry Christmas tunes! It’s also the perfect setting to get the whole family outdoors for a winter walk and meet some of the resident donkeys who are cared for at the Sidmouth site.”

The Kitchen restaurant will be open throughout the winter providing the perfect place to warm up and enjoy a delicious meal of locally sourced food. For those who enjoy a Sunday roast, The Kitchen offers Devon’s finest cuts of meat or a vegetarian/vegan special served from sharing boards with all the trimmings. Served between 12 - 2pm each week, booking is recommended.

More details are available from The Donkey Sanctuary website: www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/events

To book a table for Sunday lunch at The Kitchen, please call: 01395 514996.

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