14 June 2018

Join us for our Redwings Hapton Open Day 2018

Back by popular demand, we are again opening the doors to our Hapton headquarters, south of Norwich, for free this July. Join us on Sunday 15^th July for a day of tours, demonstrations, food and fun.

Although we have visitor centres across the UK, our Norfolk headquarters – home to our Rehoming Centre and Horse Hospital – opens just once per year to the public.

The event, which will run from 10am to 4pm, will include tours of the hospital by our veterinary team, including a special tour designed just for young children. Here, you’ll meet rescued horses and donkeys and find out how we care for our 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules – of which almost 350 live at its 350-acre Hapton site!

Our rehoming team will also be showcasing how we train our horses – many of whom arrive at Redwings either semi-feral or having never been handled – with the aim of helping them find loving new homes outside the Sanctuary as part of our rehoming programme.

Crowds watching a show at the open day

And there will be plenty of opportunities to get hands-on too with pony grooming and self-guided walks around the centre’s paddocks, so don’t forget your good footwear. Look out for cheeky mascots Red and Wings who also will be dropping by to meet everyone!

Plus, adorable Adoption Star donkey Esther will making a special trip to attend the Open Day in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of her rescue from Spindle Farm, Amersham.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service will also be returning by popular demand to give a fascinating and dramatic demonstration of how they rescue animals from tricky situations using one of their training model horses.

After all that fun, visitors can relax with their pick of hot and cold refreshments, as well as browse a bring ‘n’ buy sale, a tack sale and our own pop-up shop full of exclusive Redwings gifts with all proceeds going towards the care of our residents.

Redwings’ Chief Executive Lynn Cutress, said: “After welcoming a record-breaking crowd last year, we couldn’t wait to bring back our Redwings Hapton Open Day for 2018 – and we hope to welcome even more supporters this year!

“Our Open Day really is an exciting opportunity to go behind the scenes and enjoy a unique glimpse at areas of the Sanctuary normally closed to the public, including our wonderful Horse Hospital where you can meet the adorable patients and speak to the vets who care for them.

“As a charity funded 100% by donations from the public, it’s so important to us to be able to show our supporters just how their generosity enables us to help horses in need and we hope as many people as possible will come along to find out more and enjoy a great day out!”

The Redwings Open Day is completely free and will take place on Sunday 15^th July, from 10am to 4pm, at Redwings Hapton, Norwich, Norfolk, NR15 1SW.