Our visitor centres operate different opening times so please check our visitor centre pages to double-check when our paddock gates will be open. You will also find clear directions and details of the facilities available at each centre, as well as any accessibility considerations.

Redwings’ visitor centres offer acres of paddock walks with scenic views as well as the chance to see our residents.

Spending time around horses is a humbling and peaceful experience. After the stress and turmoil of the last few years, we welcome you to make our sanctuary your sanctuary, and to enjoy some time outdoors with friends and loved ones. It’s great for your wellbeing (trust us!).

Redwings is a national horse welfare charity responsible for more than 2,000 rescued horses and donkeys. We operate five visitor centres across the UK where you can see first-hand how we care for our residents. Our visitor centres are our way of sharing our work with you, to both inspire you to help us, and to thank you for your support.

By visiting us we hope you will learn something about horses and donkeys, their needs and their plight in the UK, and that you will see the difference you can make to their lives.

We also hope you will come away sharing our passion for these incredible animals, and maybe sponsor a horse or donkey, make a donation or simply tell a friend so they visit too.

If you are a seasoned supporter, we invite you to see what a difference your support has made so far and to meet the animals you are helping to care for every day. We also welcome the chance to meet you in person and thank you for caring as much as we do. 

Redwings Aylsham and Redwings Caldecott, Norfolk, and Redwings Oxhill, Warwickshire

Our visitors centres in Norfolk and Warwickshire are open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10am – 4pm, with paddock walks closing at 3.30pm. During the school summer holidays, these centres are open seven days a week.

Redwings Ada Cole, Essex

Redwings Ada Cole is open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10am – 4pm, with paddock walks closing at 3.30pm.

Redwings Mountains, Angus, Scotland

Redwings Mountains welcomes private visits on Fridays and Mondays by arrangement and is open to the public on selected weekends from spring to autumn. The visitor centre’s gift shop and donated tack shop are also open for browsing and purchasing on selected days. 

Also...

Anna Sewell House, Norfolk

Since 2022, Redwings has been the guardian of Anna Sewell House in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk - the birthplace of the Anna Sewell, the author of beloved novel Black Beauty. The house is open to visitors on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am - 2pm, on selected weeks throughout the year.

All Covid measures have been lifted, however we continue to ask you to consider others, especially when indoors, for example respecting everyone’s personal space. We are also providing lots of opportunities for you to wash and sanitise your hands regularly when on site.

Yes! No booking is required, but please make sure to check the opening times and directions for the specific centre you wish to visit before travelling. All details can be found on our Visiting page.

Redwings is free to enter, however as always, we ask you to consider donating towards our work.

As a charity funded 100% by public donations, we rely on your support not only to care for our rescued horses and donkeys, but also to provide the facilities that you are able to enjoy when you visit.

You can also donate by cash or card during your visit by speaking to a member of our team or through using our contactless donation points.

As long as you like! We expect most visits to last around 1.5 – 3 hours although there is no time limit.

Our Hapton HQ is not a visitor centre, it is the base for our administration centre and it is also the site of our Horse Hospital and our main Rehoming Centre.

It is home to many of our more elderly or poorly residents and some can be very nervous, so they are not necessarily suited to a life in the public eye and really benefit from the peace and quiet that the centre can offer.

However, we love to open the gates when we can so you can have a sneak peek behind the scenes and find out more about our Hapton HQ and what makes us tick!

All our facilities are open.

There may be restricted access to some areas, such as stables and rehoming arenas if we need to work quietly with our horses or keep our farm team safe.

There may also be restricted access to some equines at Redwings Oxhill due to planned construction works on site.
 

The accessibility of our sites varies by location. If you look on the specific page of our website for each site and read the ‘access statement’ it gives a detailed overview of the layout. It is also worth noting that a site can change due to weather conditions, with paths becoming more uneven and muddy in wet weather. If you are concerned, we recommend phoning us on 01508 505246 (this number is manned from 9am - 4pm, seven days a week).

Replacing, maintaining, and cleaning our play facilities takes resources which costs the charity much-needed funds. Now more than ever we need those funds to go towards the horses, so as play equipment has reached the end of its life, it has not been replaced and therefore we no longer have play areas at our centres.

We know our play areas will be missed, but we hope your little ones will have just as much fun walking the site and meeting the horses and donkeys (that’s the best bit about visiting us after all!). 

Our visitor centre cafés offer different menus depending on their facilities, but they all aim to offer something for various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. For more information about the offering at your local visitor centre, head to the visiting section of our website or call 01508 505246.

You are welcome to bring a picnic and use the dedicated picnic areas, however, please ensure you take your rubbish home with you.

If you do bring a picnic, please consider a small additional donation to help cover the cost of cleaning the picnic area (suggested donation £1 per person picnicking).
 

Absolutely! We love to welcome our four-legged friends and know that they are part of the family too.

As always, dogs must be well-behaved and kept on a lead at all times.

Dog bins will be available but please take extra care to wash or sanitise your hands after use or take your waste home with you.
 

With five visitor centres located across the country there are lots of places to stay nearby depending on your budget and preferred accommodation. We would advise looking on the Visit England and Visit Scotland websites or booking.com and searching around the local area. 

If you wish to visit Redwings Caldecott, did you know we have self-catering accommodation on site? The beautifully renovated Sanctuary Rooms are set within the lovely surroundings of Caldecott Hall, and offer accommodation for up to six people in three ensuite bedrooms, as well as a living area and kitchenette.

Check our website to find out more. For bookings and checking availability you can view the full listing on Norfolk Holiday Properties site. 
 

Throughout the year, we host birthday parties for our Adoption Star horses and donkeys at our visitor centres - and everyone is invited! On the day, the lucky birthday boy or girl will be treated to a pampering groom, you'll be able to meet them up-close during their birthday parade, and then enjoy watching them enjoy their birthday cake! There will also be party games and mascots Red and Wings may pop along too!

If you sponsor an Adoption Star, you will be sent all the details in your own personal invite, otherwise please keep checking our website for all the latest party dates!

Our horses love treats and you are welcome to bring carrots, apples or ginger biscuits! Unfortunately we are unable to allow visitors to feed the horses themselves but you can hand your treats in at reception and we will make sure they are enjoyed!

The horses you will meet in our visitor centres are unable to be ridden due to ongoing health or behavioural problems, or because they may simply be too advanced in years.

All the horses that come to us that are able to have a working life are rehomed through our Guardianship Scheme. Those that cannot are given a permanent home at the Sanctuary and the aim of our visitor centres is to show you how we care for these special residents. They may not be able to be ridden, but they definitely love to be cuddled!
 

Yes! We love to welcome group visits from schools, home education groups, social clubs, or local businesses.

If you would like to discuss a group visit, please contact us at education@redwings.co.uk.

You may also like to consider a virtual visit. Our Red Talks bring our visitor experience to your home/ school or club online so get in touch and we will see if we can accommodate you!