The Donkey Sanctuary

You'll find donkeys everywhere at this Sidmouth sanctuary - they're not just hanging about, they're the whole point. The Donkey Sanctuary rescues and rehomes unwanted donkeys, and the site itself is genuinely moving if you care about animal welfare. Walking around, you get to see the animals in proper paddocks, and there's something oddly therapeutic about watching them potter about.

It works best for families with younger kids who actually want to interact with animals rather than just stare at them through glass. Teenagers might find it a bit slow unless they're genuinely into donkeys. Animal lovers and anyone who gets upset about donkey mistreatment will find it worthwhile - the sanctuary does serious work rescuing neglected animals from poor situations.

Admission details aren't entirely clear from here, so ring ahead before you go. You'll need a good couple of hours to do it properly, especially if you want to feed or stroke the animals - that's usually where the real appeal sits for most visitors. Go mid-week if possible to avoid school groups and weekend crowds.

If you're staying nearby - Oakdown Touring Park is less than a mile away, making this an easy half-day trip from your caravan. Combine it with Sidmouth's seafront if the weather's decent, or head inland to Ladram Bay Holiday Park's area if you want a beach day instead. It's the sort of place that's either brilliant or utterly boring depending on whether donkeys genuinely interest you.