Donkey Sanctuary Wins Global Tripadvisor Honour

The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth has been recognised among the top 10% of attractions worldwide by Tripadvisor, earning a 2025 Travellers’ Choice Award from the world’s largest travel guidance platform.

This prestigious accolade is based entirely on authentic visitor reviews posted over a 12-month period — and reflects the sanctuary’s consistently high ratings from thousands of guests. Although its onsite restaurant, The Kitchen, was recognised by Tripadvisor in 2022, this marks the first time the sanctuary itself has received the award.

Laura Drummond, Visitor Marketing Officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, said:

“We are thrilled to be recognised in Tripadvisor’s worldwide top ten per cent and are so grateful to our wonderful visitors who took the time to leave a review – it means a lot to us all and is testament to the hard work of all our teams.”

The Sidmouth-based sanctuary attracts over 400,000 visitors each year, making it not just a beloved family attraction but also a key contributor to the local economy. The award now sits alongside a growing collection of accolades, including those from VisitEngland and Devon Tourism.

Tripadvisor users worldwide contribute to a database of more than 860 million reviews across 8.7 million travel experiences — so appearing in the top 10% is no small feat.

The sanctuary is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with free entry and parking. Visitors are welcome to bring their dogs on leads, and enjoy a day meeting the donkeys, exploring the scenic grounds, and relaxing in the award-winning restaurant.

To plan your visit or read the reviews for yourself, head to:
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us