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Quick LinksLocal Knowledge – May 2026
Oakdown Holiday Park · Sidmouth · East Devon
Local Knowledge – May
Donkey Week, Sea Fest and the Jazz & Blues Festival all land in May, alongside a Dorset trail worth the drive.
May is one of the busiest months near Oakdown. Three East Devon events land within a few weeks of each other, running right through to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Dorchester has its own trail worth the trip too, if you fancy a day further afield.
Below is our pick of what’s worth doing in East Devon and West Dorset this month, gathered from the people who actually run these places.
On this page
Donkey WeekSidmouth Sea FestJazz & Blues FestivalBuzzing Dumbledore TrailDog Friendly & AccessibleGood to Know
East Devon
Donkey Week 2026
Donkey Week runs from 5 to 12 May, with daily organised coach trips out to farms like Paccombe and Axnoller that are normally closed to the public. It’s a proper behind-the-scenes week for anyone who loves the sanctuary, run directly from its Weston headquarters — and a chance to see parts of the charity’s work that guests never usually get near.
Postcode EX10 0NU — about 0.4 miles from the park, an eight-minute walk along our own field trail. www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk · 01395 578222. Dogs on leads are welcome. The main headquarters is highly accessible, though the outlying farm visits involve tractor-trailer rides over uneven turf, which can be difficult for anyone who struggles with walking.
East Devon
Sidmouth Sea Fest
Sea Fest has relocated to the clifftop Connaught Gardens this year, running 15 to 16 May. Friday night is a ticketed fundraiser with live music from Samantics and Amy True. Saturday is a free family day built around “Marine and Green” workshops, open to everyone and a good option if you’d rather not commit to a ticket in advance.
Postcode EX10 8RZ — Connaught Gardens, about 3.5 miles west of the park. Friday night tickets. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout Connaught Gardens. The gardens are partially accessible, with well-paved pathways and clifftop viewing areas, though some of the clifftop trails do have slopes.
East Devon
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival
The festival takes over the town for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, 22 to 25 May, with outdoor stages at Blackmore Gardens. This year’s headliners include Jools Holland, Emeli Sandé, Macy Gray and Incognito, drawing crowds from well beyond Devon for the weekend.
Postcode EX10 8LQ — Blackmore Gardens, about 3.2 miles west of the park. www.sidmouthjazz.com. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in Blackmore Gardens. The outdoor stages and food vendors sit on flat, lawned gardens with public walkways. The site is accessible throughout.
West Dorset
The Buzzing Dumbledore Trail
Dorchester’s Buzzing Dumbledore Trail kicks off on 23 May and runs through the town’s flat areas and parks — a gentle day out if you fancy exploring further afield.
Dorchester (DT1) — about 30 miles east of the park, roughly a 45-minute drive. The trail is set in flat town areas and parks and is highly accessible throughout.
At a Glance
Dog Friendly & Accessible This Month
Best for Dog Owners
Donkey Week, Sea Fest and the Jazz & Blues Festival all welcome dogs on leads. The Buzzing Dumbledore Trail’s flat town parks are an easy add-on if you’re bringing a dog to Dorchester too.
Best for Accessibility
The Jazz & Blues Festival’s flat lawned gardens and the Dumbledore Trail’s town parks are both fully accessible. Sea Fest is partially accessible. Donkey Week’s farm visits involve uneven turf away from the main headquarters.
Good to Know
A Few Practical Questions
Do I need a ticket for Sidmouth Sea Fest?
Only for the Friday night fundraiser. Saturday’s family day is free to attend.
Who’s headlining the Jazz & Blues Festival this year?
Jools Holland, Emeli Sandé, Macy Gray and Incognito are all confirmed for the outdoor stages at Blackmore Gardens over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
Can I bring my dog to Donkey Week?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome throughout, though the outlying farm coach trips involve uneven turf that some dogs and owners may find harder going than a visit to the main headquarters alone.
Is the Buzzing Dumbledore Trail worth the drive from Oakdown?
It’s about 45 minutes each way, so it suits a full day out in Dorchester rather than a quick stop.
Which May event is easiest for a family day out?
The Jazz & Blues Festival’s flat, lawned gardens at Blackmore Gardens are the most straightforward of the three East Devon events for prams, wheelchairs and younger children.
Want to see what’s on in other months? Our full Local Knowledge guide covers the whole year near Oakdown.
Make a week of it this May
Book your stay and catch Donkey Week, Sea Fest and the Jazz & Blues Festival all in one visit.
