The Donkey Sanctuary will host East Devon's new travelling creative space, the Creative Cabin, on Monday, August 9 and Tuesday 10, offering visitors free hands-on activities and the chance to learn all about one of the UK's rarest bats - the grey long-eared-bat.

Activities at the 'Completely Batty' event include making flying bat models and bat masks, as well as putting together wildflower 'seed bombs', to create wildflower gardens at home.

Visitors will also be able to join a Bat Discovery trail around the sanctuary with the charity's Ecology and Conservation manager, Ruth Angell, to discover what's been done to help improve the landscape for bats and other native wildlife.

Good for donkeys, good for wild creatures

Ruth said: "We strive to provide our donkeys with the highest standards of welfare. Providing our donkeys with a healthy and sustainable environment, not only supports the wildlife living on our sites, but also supports the health of our herd, providing enrichment opportunities that allow them to exhibit more of their natural behaviours."

John Crouch, Visitor Engagement Manager at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: "It's really exciting to be hosting the Creative Cabin at the sanctuary. As custodians of this beautiful corner of Devon, we want to encourage families to appreciate the rich and varied wildlife we are privileged to share our land with.

"We look forward to seeing our loyal supporters and visitors over the summer. We've increased our picnic areas to provide relaxing spaces to kick back and spend quality time with family and friends once again."

Other things to do at The Donkey Sanctuary

People will also be able to explore the sanctuary with the summer family activity trail, 'An Adorably Curious Adventure'. The trail, which runs throughout the summer, takes visitors on an adventure around the sanctuary to discover the A-Z of fun donkey facts, while completing trail activities along the way.

The Donkey Sanctuary's award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden is free to view at the Sidmouth sanctuary. The 'Donkeys Matter' garden, designed to showcase the charity's international work, won the coveted 'BBC RHS People's Choice Award' in the Artisan Garden category at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and picked up the Community Award in the 2021 Association of Professional Landscapers' awards.

There's also the chance to meet some of the charity's resident donkeys, visit the award-winning on-site restaurant The Kitchen, and buy gifts and souvenirs at The Gift Shop.

The 'An Adorably Curious Adventure' trail runs daily until Thursday, September 30 and costs £5 per trail sheet, including a prize and a sticker on completion.

The Creative Cabin offers free drop-in activities, with Covid-safe guidelines, between 11am and 3pm on 9 and 10 August.

The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth is open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm. Entry is free, as is parking, and dogs on leads are welcome. For further details, please visit the website.