Living with Birds Best hedgehog houses UK Tweetapedia

With numbers declining, providing a safe place of shelter for hedgehogs is a great way to encourage them into your garden. Building your own hedgehog house is a brilliant way to help these vulnerable mammals, especially during winter hibernation. Reconnect with nature and enjoy the outdoors, while helping local wildlife.

Another great option is to buy a ready made hedgehog house, constructed to provide the perfect year-round shelter. Remember to also provide hedgehog food and water to further lend a hand to and encourage hedgehogs in your garden.

We've rounded up the best hedgehog house designs on the market, so you can create the perfect haven for your nocturnal night-time visitors.

1. Riverside Hedgehog House
2. Schwegler Hedgehog Dome
3. Hedgehog House
4. The Hutch company Hedgehog House
   
   

1. Riverside Hedgehog House

The Riverside Hedgehog House is a luxury, premium built residence your hedgehogs won’t want to leave. This wooden hedgehog house offers year-round insulation and spacious quarters to raise a family of hoglets.

Handmade in the UK from high quality FDC red pine, this large hedgehog house features a lockable, hinged lid making inspection and cleaning easy. The rugged composite board base prevents water from running inside. Overall, an affordable option, designed to help your garden hedgehogs thrive.

Product highlights:

• 20mm thick lid to help maintain a consistent inner temperature
• Predator resistant internal tunnel entrance
• Raised off ground with water-tight construction

Other considerations:

• On the larger side, it may not be suitable for smaller garden who don’t have the space

Dimensions: 220 H X 580 W X 555 D mm
Entrance hole:
Price: £75.00
Where to buy: Livingwithbirds.com 

2. Schwegler Hedgehog Dome

Made from Schwegler’s innovative Woodcrete - a mix of concrete and wood, the Hedgehog Dome is hardwearing and weatherproof. With a smooth, natural shape evocative of an upside down garden pot, it is also pleasing to the eye. This domed structure will blend seamlessly into your garden landscape sheltered between shaded shrubs or slightly overgrown borders. 

An insulated, raised base helps to maintain the optimal temperature throughout the seasons. Providing a warm, cosy sanctuary during the hibernation months, and cover from potential predators.

Combining practical features with pleasing looks, this is a top choice hedgehog house for your garden. Provide a comfortable refuge for hedgehogs to nest, breed and hibernate for many years to come.

Product highlights:

• Dome lifts off base to allow for easy cleaning after winter use
• Provides ideal insulation, ultra long-lasting
• Comes with a 25 year guarantee 

Other considerations:

• At a pricey £154.99 this is relatively more expensive than most other options on the market. However, built to last and backed by a 25 year guarantee it built to last a lifetime.

Dimensions: 440mm Diameter, 280mm H
Entrance hole: 110 x 120 mm
Price: £154.00
Where to buy: Livingwithbirds.com

3. Hedgehog House

Hedgehogs naturally seek out nesting sites in well-hidden areas such as piles of dry leaves, grass, logs, or compost heaps. The natural brushwood exterior of this Hedgehog House suitably mimics a tree stub or nest of twigs. Help to further camouflage the hedgehog home by covering it with additional leaves or nesting materials.

The short outer tunnel acts as an additional line of defence against large predators such as badgers or cats. While the sturdy steel frame, protected by a water repellent membrane will keep hedgehogs dry.

Find a shady, quiet spot that won't be disturbed and wait for your hedgehogs to arrive.

Product highlights:

• Natural look blends perfectly into the garden landscape
• Strong frame with doorway for added security
• Weatherproof and durable to create a long-lasting home for hedgehogs

Other considerations:

• Access for cleaning or inspection may be difficult once positioned and covered

Dimensions: 210H x 380W x 490D mm
Entrance hole:
Price: £43.99
Where to buy: Livingwithbirds.com

4. The Hutch Company Hedgehog House

The Hutch Company have been hand making hedgehog houses, rabbit hutches and bird tables from their Kent based workshop for over 35 years. Crafted from responsibly sourced FSC timber, you can also use this hedgehog house as a feeding station.

This eco construction features a removable felt roof so that you can easily clean the house, or add fresh bedding. The partitioned interior will encourage your prickly garden guests to become permanent residents.

Reasonably priced, the Hutch Company’s Hedgehog House ensures full protection from daily garden hazards and predators. Overall, a solid, comfortable home that this provide a safe and secure habitat for hedgehogs to breed and hibernate.

Product highlights:

• Fixed base to stop toppling, entrance tunnel to prevent predators
• Treated with anti-bacterial water-based coating to prevent the spread of disease
• A safe shelters for hedgehogs from the harsh summer heat and cold winter weather

Other considerations:

• No raised feet or slots for drainage 

Dimensions: 260 H x 460 W x 400 D mm
Entrance hole: 145 x 120 mm
Price: £44.99
Where to buy: Homeandroost.co.uk

Where to place a hedgehog house

The best place to put a hedgehog house is in a quiet shaded area of the garden. If you are wondering what to put in a hedgehog house, you can add a layer of dead, dry leaves for bedding. Houses for hedgehogs are a wonderful way to encourage shy and weary animals to share you outdoor space.