Walk 52 - Ventnor to Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary - 2.6 miles

This a flat, paved walk from Ventnor to the Donkey Sanctuary, but avoiding the main road, which is too busy to walk safely. To skip the road from Ventnor town centre, I started at the No. 3 bus outside St Francis Primary School, where Rew Lane runs behind the main Newport Road. I have done the first part of this walk on the way to Godshill, Walk 49, and on a sunnier spring day, so only a few new photos from that section.

For this route, follow Rew Lane until it turns right by Span Farm to come out in Wroxall village.

Cross the main road to take the Sunshine Trail cycle path just in front of Wroxall Church, and up a few steps to pick up the path behind houses and gardens.

As you follow the path, there is a glimpse between trees of Appuldurcombe House. Shortly after, a path leads left through a Ramblers gate down across a small field to rejoin the main road by the bus stop, then you cross the road and turn left for a few steps to visit the Donkey Sanctuary.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a haven where rescued donkeys (and a few ponies) from the UK and Europe live out their later days in peace and safety. The Sanctuary is free to enter but relies on donations so you will be greeted by a volunteer with a collection bucket.

There is Grazers Cafe with indoor and outside seating serving refreshments and light lunches and a gift shop selling donkey products like sweatshirts, mugs, magnets, stuffed toys and calendars etc which also supports the charity. Dogs on leads are welcome too.

Visitors can walk around the barns and enclosures to visit the donkeys and Shetland ponies. You are asked not to feed the donkeys, some of whom are on special diets, but you can stroke them, as they are generally very gentle and tranquil. It's a lovely place to spend an hour or two.

As well as rescuing donkeys, the sanctuary is an education centre, providing learning and training for children, students, apprentices and volunteers. It is one of the island's most popular visitor attractions, as people can meet and interact with the donkeys, groom and walk them, or have a half day experience with them. The Sanctuary runs various events, concerts and open days on a regular basis throughout the year, and the Christmas Fayre is always well-attended. The donkeys also take part in therapy programmes across the island and work with Alzheimers and stroke patients and people with a variety of needs. 

You can also adopt donkeys or book birthday parties, hen dos, donkey experiences, groom or walk a donkey, and go on shetland treks. One barn houses the Sanctuary's Euro-Stars, a group of lovely brown donkeys rescued from a French slaughterhouse.

The Sanctuary is open 7 days a week from 10am – 4.30pm all year round (except Christmas Day).

Walk Details
Start: St Francis Primary School, Ventnor
Finish:IOW Donkey Sanctuary
Distance: 2.6 miles
Time: 1.25 hours
Bus: No 3 from Ventnor, Ryde or Newport
Refreshments/WC: at Donkey Sanctuary