Europe
United Kingdom (UK)
England
East Anglia
Norfolk
Cromer
West Runton
Things to Do in West Runton
Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary, West Runton: Hours, Address, Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary Reviews: 4.5/5

See all things to do

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary

See all things to do
See all things to do
Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary
4.5
498
#1 of 4 things to do in West Runton
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Read more
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Write a review
About
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
135 within 3 miles
The Tea Room at Corner House
421
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
The Pepperpot
216
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
In2Blu
57
280 ft$$ - $$$ • British • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Rocky Bottoms
1,123
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • British • Healthy
Krua Thai
7
0.3 miThai
The Village Inn
539
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
Seaview Beach Cafe
83
0.6 mi$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
Sammy's Bar & Grill
183
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pizza
The Roman Camp Inn
232
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
Priory Maze Cafe
124
1 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
39 within 6 miles
West Runton Beach
56
0.6 miBeaches
Sheringham Museum at the Mo
248
1.6 miSpeciality Museums • Observation Decks & Towers
Pavilion Theatre
139
2.3 miTheaters
Sheringham Beach
693
1.6 miBeaches
Cromer Pier
2,654
2.3 miPiers & Boardwalks
Cromer Lifeboat Station
766
2.3 miVisitor Centers
RNLI Henry Blogg Museum
447
2.4 miSpeciality Museums
North Norfolk Railway
2,045
1.7 miScenic Railroads
Priory Maze and Gardens
358
1.3 miGardens
Felbrigg Hall
1,536
1.9 miHistoric Sites
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
499 reviews
Excellent
382
Very good
87
Average
18
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Moochiesmum
Sheffield, UK5 contributions
Lovely morning visiting Hillside
Couples
Had a couple of hours to kill whilst waiting for low tide in Sheringham and found this animal sanctuary nearby. So glad we decided to visit, we loved it there!
We spent the morning wandering around, reading the rescue stories and giving the horses, donkeys and goats lots of strokes and scruffles. The goats in particular seemed to love a scratch around the neck - they were blissed out! This place is fab for kids, with the added extra of a little playground, but everyone, young and old, appeared to be having a lovely time chatting to the animals. There were also plenty of hand washing stations dotted around to keep hands clean.
As veggies, it was really nice to see a selection of vegan snacks in the cafe, so we decided to stay for a quick bite and give our support.
During September, entry is free, but we felt a donation and gift of grass nuts for the horses was well worth it for a few hours in the company of the Hillside animals.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
k381ss
Leicester, UK187 contributions
Plenty to see, learn and enjoy for all ages.
Family
We visited here for the 1st time and what a great choice, there is a large area to walk round you can spend a good few hours.
There was a child's activity sheet which was definitely a brilliant idea to keep the kids entertained, the animals are well looked after and also tells you about what had happened to them.
There is a gift shop where you can adopt some of the animals for a yearly fee which make a great present and also helps the sanctuary out. There is a cafe for snacks and drinks, seating outside not much shade when it's a really hot sunny day, even walking around there were only a couple of shady spots.
A child's play area also a great place for them to just have a little play.
So glad we visited will return again.
No fee entry for 2021. Donations requested on entry, this may change next year so its best to check.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Erin
Leatherhead, UK39 contributions
Such an amazing place…PLEASE READ!!
Family
This is such an incredible place, with incredible selfless people to run it. This sanctuary doesn’t just rescue horses, they also save goats, donkeys, chickens, alpacas, bunnies, geese, ducks, pigs, deer… the list goes on and on. It’s free to go in, and personally I think they should make an entrance fee as they really do need the help to look after all the animals. All of the animals are very well cared for, and the people who work there adore their job. You can make donations, and they have a little bric-a-brac shop where you can leave money in a box for whatever you decided to take home. You can also buy a sack of hay for the animals for £5. I absolutely 100% would recommend going. It’s a gorgeous place, and I plea that everyone makes even the tiniest donation. The animals are very sweet, and lots of the horses are very friendly. They also have a cat who lives there, Luca, and is often seen weaving round peoples legs in the gift shop! It’s a wonderful place for people of all ages, and definitely worth a visit. Was by far one of the highlights of my trip to Norfolk :))
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
johnrosslinden1
12 contributions
Great place to visit.
Couples
We regularly stay in this area but today we thought we would visit Hillside. There is free entry at the moment but you can make a donation on entry or once inside. We are glad we made a donation because this is a great place to visit where the priority is animal welfare. We couldn’t believe the diverse range of animals which were onsite after being rescued from some awful Predicaments. This is a great place to visit and see the amazing work of these kind people. The site is very clean and organised with so much to look at.
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lou L
King's Lynn, UK52 contributions
Well worth a visit!
Family
Visited here today for the first time with the family for my daughters 16th birthday.
Due to some places not being open due to covid 19 entrance was free but donations welcome. Social distancing was observed by all and there were numerous hand sanitising stations. Parking is free and plentiful. A good variety of animals to see and encounter including horses, donkeys, parrots, turkeys, pigs; llamas, cows rabbits goats , chickens and sheep. The cafe was open for cold takeaway food which is all vegetarian and vegan. At each animal stable/ enclosure the history of how the animal ended up at the sanctary was displayed. The animals were obviously very well looked after and the staff we encountered were friendly. There is a small book shop and a bric a brac shop with an honesty box in which you pay for your items. People were encouraged to wear masks in indoor areas and the toilets were well maintained. We spent 2 hours there and if we didn't live so far away we would be back each week
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
D63
Hungerford, UK1 contribution
A lovely place to visit
Couples
This is a lovely place to while away a couple of hours, especially good for children but not a requirement! The animals are well cared for and it is a lovely setting, would recommend a visit to West Runton beach afterwards.

There is no entrance fee (bizarrely as they really should charge) and donations are requested to help with the animal costs.

Highly recommend
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael W
Cleethorpes, UK112 contributions
A great outside attraction well worth a visit
In these strange times when you have to avoid close contact with other people, we really enjoyed our visit to Hillside because everything is outside. The number of people entering the centre is monitored and as people leave you are admitted. Entry is free but donations are appreciated. The running costs of this centre must be colossal as there are so many rescued animals and not just horses onsite. Some of the information boards have horrific stories of how abused and neglected animals arrived at the centre.

Definitely can recommend here for a visit.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amy F
Northampton, UK7 contributions
Great little visit
Couples
We loved this place. It was far bigger than we expected, especially since they don't currently charge admission, just ask for a donation. They house a lot of animals here. They have a lot of information signs around and space to sit for a break and drink at the cafe. You can "adopt" an animal for as little as £10 for the year which I thought was great value, and can pay to help with the cost of animal feed and bedding etc. It was very clean, well run, lots of space and we had a lovely visit.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
amy
10 contributions
Brilliant sanctuary
Solo
I have lived in West Runton for over two decades, I finally visited the sanctuary and I am so impressed.

Not only is this an incredible day out for families, with free entry and a cafe that charges more than reasonable prices (3x ice lollies for less than £2.50).

It also has bric-à-brac, book stools, gift shops, informative stations and more.

But most importantly, it's animals are well looked after. Would definitely recommend.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Victoria W
Winchester, UK84 contributions
A brilliant place to visit. No entry costs, just donation.
FAB-U-LOUS! I was totally impressed by this place. It is by donation so if you are of low income all are welcome. The premises are spotless even though there are loads of animals. The animal enclosures are also spotless and the animals look happy and well cared for.
We payed a quick visit before a long journey home and hope to go again when we have more time on our next trip to Norfolk.
There are 2 bric a brac sheds and bookshop that are like Aladdins Caves, with proceeds going to the sanctuary; a small cafe and a gift shop.
This place is outdoors so dress for the weather. We went with children aged 2-12 and grandparents and everyone was happy.
Definitely worth a visit or 2!
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 499
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary
Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary is open:
  • Sun - Fri 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Restaurants near Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary: View all restaurants near Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary on Tripadvisor