Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Wildlife Centres & Nature Reserves
Yaverland Road
SANDOWN
Isle of Wight
PO36 8QB
Book Tickets
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled Parking
- Disabled persons toilet
- Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
- Ramp/Level Access
- Toilets for Disabled Visitors
- Wheelchair user accessible
Catering
- Cafe
- Catering for groups
- Food Shop on site
- On-Site cafe/restaurant
- Outdoor eating area
- Picnic area
- Picnic Site
- Refreshments Available
- Take away food
- Undercover picnic area
- Vegetarians catered for
Children & Infants
- Babes in Arms
- Baby changing
- Children’s packs
- Children's Meals
- Family Friendly, Children Welcome
- Highchair(s) available
- Outdoor children’s play area
Establishment Features
- All weather attraction
- Beach / Coast within walking distance
- Beach/Coast 5 min walking distance
- Event Venue
- Gift shop
- Groups welcome
- Guided tours
- Guided tours by arrangement
- LGBT Friendly
- Licensed for alcohol
- Meeting rooms
- No Pets
- Open all year round
- Open New Year
- Open on bank holidays
- Special Opening for Groups by Arrangement
- Team / Corporate Activities
- Toilets
Parking & Transport
- Coach parking
- On Site Car Parking
- Own car park (Fee Applies)
- Park and Ride
- Parking (charge)
- Railway station within 5 miles
- Railway station within walking distance
- Secure cycle parking
Payment Methods
- Approx length of visit - 2-3 hours
- Groups Accepted - Coaches and large group bookings are eligible for a reduced admission charge. Please call 01983 403883 ext. 116 for more information.
- Maestro
- Maestro Accepted
- MasterCard
- MasterCard accepted
- Solo accepted
- Special group rates - Special group rates for coaches and minivans. Minimum number in party of 15 people. Call 01983 302882 ext. 116 for more information.
- Visa
- Visa accepted
Provider Preferences
- Countryside Setting
- No Smoking Attraction
- Outdoor Attraction
- Smoking Some Areas - Smoking is allowed outside the sanctuary in a designated smoking area.
Specialist Features
- Cyclists welcome
- Educational Groups
- Family Fun
- Information Point
- Marketed Towards Families
- Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
- Marketed towards student/youth
Tours and Demonstrations
- Demonstrations Given
- Educational Visits Accepted
- Guided Tours Available for Groups
- Guided Tours Available for Individuals
Travel & Trade
- Group discounts available
- Wi-fi available
Map & Directions
Road Directions
If coming by car then use PO36 8QB for your SatNav.
By ferry from East Cowes (Red Funnel): Second exit at roundabout onto Well Road, A3021, A3054 to Newport, A3020 to Sandown, A3056 to Lake, A3055 to Sandown.
By ferry from Fishbourne (Wightlink): B3339 (Fishbourne Lane), A3054 to Ryde (Esplanade), straight along the Esplanade to the boating lake, follow the road round to the right onto A3055 to Sandown.
By ferry from Yarmouth (Wightlink): A3054 to Newport, A3020 to Sandown, A3056 to Lake, A3055 to Sandown.
Public Transport Directions
The sanctuary is serviced by the Number 8 bus route. Route details and times are available from this link: https://bustimes.org/services/8-newport-arreton-sandown-bembridge-seaview-ryde. For further bus information please visit the Southern Vectis website at www.islandbuses.info/.
TripAdvisor

- Excellent1652
- Very Good830
- Average425
- Poor193
- Terrible156
Recent Reviews:
- K ELondon, United KingdomOverrated onsite cafe absolute shamblesTuesday, 8th July 2025Visited today as a family with x2 young children and found the experience to be nothing to rave about. Start by saying it’s a small sanctuary/zoo and we was able to have a gentle stroll around taking... Read full review
- LizGentry_1London, United KingdomTrip Type:FamilyGreat message, educational visit.Friday, 11th July 2025We really enjoyed our visit. The ethos and message of the sanctuary is wonderful. It provided some really excellent opportunities to explain a few things to our son and emphasise the importance of... Read full review
- LightningShoesLondon, United KingdomGood zoo, could be better.Sunday, 13th July 2025We visited this place when there was an event on and many of the enclosures were obscured by stalls for charities and other organisations. I think this was a premium event because people without... Read full review
Awards
- Tourism South East Award -
Best Tourism Experience Highly Commended 2010
- Visit Isle of Wight Award
Wight Gift Card Venue 2020
- Regional and Miscellaneous -
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Best of the Best Gold Award 2022
- Tourism South East Award -
Beautiful South Awards Winner 2024/25 - Bronze 2025
- Tourism South East Award -
Beautiful South Awards Winner 2024/25 - Silver 2025
Opening Times
Open New Year |
---|
Open Christmas |
---|
Open (1 Apr 2025 - 30 Sept 2025) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Tuesday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Wednesday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Thursday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Friday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Saturday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Sunday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Bank Holiday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Open (1 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Tuesday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Wednesday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Thursday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Friday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Saturday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Sunday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Bank Holiday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Open (1 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Tuesday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Wednesday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Thursday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Friday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Saturday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Sunday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
* Open all year round except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
* JANUARY 2023 CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT.
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