Donkey Sanctuary with optional walk ~ 11km/7 miles
Details
Join us to meet some donkeys and then optional walk to Wallingford and on to Cholsey.
(We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group.)
The Donkey Sanctuary Home - Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary
Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity that cares for ill-treated and neglected donkeys. Currently, the Sanctuary looks after approximately 120 donkeys and other animals. They welcome visitors between 11am and 4pm daily. There is no entrance fee, however donations are appreciated.
We plan to arrive at 11am and leave round 1pm.
During our visit there is a Table Top and Jumble Sale with a 50p entry fee Table Top and Jumble Sale, 21st February 2026 - Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary
Walk facts
Start: 1pm from The donkey Sanctuary
Distance: Approximately 11 km / 7 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 3 hours.
Grade: Easy. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.
Walk description
From the Donkey Sanctuary we'll walk to the historic market town of Wallingford. We'll see a life-sized bronze statue of Agatha Christie and have the option to buy refreshments or eat our own food.
From Wallingford we'll follow the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway line to St. Mary's Church where the famous crime novelist Agatha Christie is buried.
We'll finish our adventure at Cholsey railway station.
Meeting at
Didcot Parkway railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below.
Meeting time: 10.10 am. We'll catch a bus to the Donkey Sanctuary at 10.29 am. You'll need to buy your own bus ticket but it shouldn't cost a lot.
TRAVEL
by train
The day starts at Didcot Parkway railway station and finishes at Cholsey railway station.
To cover both journeys, buy a day Return to Didcot Parkway station. It will cost £37.70 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, it's £25.10 (as of 5/2/26).
From London: catch the 9.22 am from London Paddington, arriving Didcot Parkway 10.03 am.
Coming back: there are 2 trains an hour going back to London from Cholsey.
Plan your route: TFL and The Trainline
If you're driving there is a car park at Didcot Parkway railway station & also at Cholsey railway station. A train between these stations runs at 30 minute intervals with a journey time around 5 minutes.
Limited spaces will be available in a car traveling from Reading to Cholsey. Message Carl R for information.
KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.
- The perilous bit
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
- See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.
AND FINALLY
- We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊