Great Yarmouth beach donkeys looking for winter homes

The much-loved Parker’s donkeys, a familiar sight on Great Yarmouth’s beaches during the summer months, are looking for holiday homes over the winter months.

With the aid of the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary, all 20 of the beach donkeys are re-homed each winter to enjoy a well-deserved break from October until the end of March.

Shelagh Steel, The Donkey Santuary’s regional welfare officer for the east of England, told H&H: “We get a good response every year, with some people regularly housing donkeys over the winter.

“However, in the current climate lots of people are selling up, and this year we have lost a few of our regulars.”

Although the Donkey Sanctuary does not offer accommodation for any of the donkeys at the sanctuary, welfare officers assess potential homes, and provide free support and advice to anyone helping out.

“Donkeys do need to be re-homed in pairs, as they are companion animals. You also need to consider if you have the time and commitment needed to look after a donkey as they need an acre of well fenced grazing and a shelter, fresh water supply and electricity,” added Ms Steel.

The sanctuary also actively helps with the re-homing of donkeys based at Skegness, Scarborough and Blackpool.

Anyone interested in providing a winter home to Great Yarmouth’s donkeys should contact the Welfare Department in Sidmouth on: 01395 578222, or Shelagh Steel on: 07836 756117

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now