Stokewater Meadow Donkey Walking Days

Four-legged companions with floppy ears and gentle temperaments make surprisingly good walking partners. At Stokewater Meadow near Bridport, you can take a donkey for a proper countryside ramble through Dorset lanes and footpaths. It's exactly what it sounds like - you're paired with one of their resident donkeys and off you go for an hour or two of gentle exploration.

Children absolutely love this. The donkeys are placid creatures, well-trained and happy to plod along at human pace while kids chat away to their new four-legged friend. Adults find it oddly therapeutic too - there's something wonderfully calming about the steady clip-clop rhythm and the donkey's unhurried approach to life.

Booking ahead is essential as these experiences are popular, particularly during school holidays. The walks typically last around two hours and cover a mix of quiet country roads and public footpaths, so you'll see proper Dorset countryside rather than just circling a field.

Families staying at nearby spots like Dorset Forest Garden Glamping or Hidden Valley Dorset will find this makes a lovely morning out. It's different enough from the usual holiday activities to feel special, and the kids will be talking about 'their' donkey for weeks afterwards. Just don't expect to cover much ground - donkeys have their own ideas about pace.