Donkeys at the Museum

Name: Donkeys at the Museum
Start: 2025-08-25T11:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-08-25T15:00:00+01:00
Location: REME Museum, Calne Road, SN15 4XX Lyneham, United Kingdom

Schedule

Mon Aug 25 2025 at 11:00 am to 03:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

REME Museum, Calne Road, SN15 4XX Lyneham, United Kingdom | Chippenham, EN

Join us at the REME Museum on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August as we welcome some wonderful donkeys from Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary!
Visitors can meet and stroke these gentle animals and discover the incredible role donkeys have played in military history.
About the Donkeys
On the edge of a picturesque village in South Oxfordshire there is a haven where a neglected or mistreated donkey can live in peace and harmony with many other rescued animals.
Island Farm is a registered charity based at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, with the first donkeys arriving in the late 1980s. In 1997, fundraising and promotion began in earnest with appearances at country shows, steam rallies and village fetes, proving that the Sanctuary could be run as a business while maintaining the important care and attention to every individual donkey. In July 2000, the Sanctuary was registered with the Charity Commission and from then became known as Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary.
Currently the Sanctuary looks after over 140 donkeys while an almost equal number have been found new approved homes. Many donkeys arrive with some or all of the problems associated with neglect or lack of understanding and, occasionally, abuse. Problems such as parasites (lice and worms), malnutrition, skin problems and most common of all, overgrown hooves which can cripple a donkey and cause much pain and suffering. Their ages range from new born to 30+ years and, as a donkey can live to 45-50 years, it is important that they now spend their days in comfortable and friendly surroundings.
Nearly all of the donkeys and many of the other animals at the Sanctuary have been rescued and it is only through the fundraising that this can continue. The Sanctuary is usually open every day from 11.00am to 16.00pm and visitors are welcome.
This event supports the work of The Donkey Breed Society, who have kindly lent us their beautifully crafted Purple Poppies display, highlighting the sacrifices made by animals in war and peacekeeping missions. Visit our Purple Poppies display during your visit.
No booking required. Visiting the Donkeys at the Museum is free of charge, entry separate to the museum galleries. You will find the donkeys on the grass area at the end of our car park, signage will be provided.
Our Creation Station area will also be open on this day if you would like to try out some purple poppy and donkey related crafts. Accessible via the WW2 Gallery.
Please note that the timings of this event are entirely dependent on the needs of the donkeys. There may be changes at the last minute, we will endeavour to update you as soon as possible.