Hedgehog highways – how to build them

Create a hedgehog highway to link gardens and give hedgehogs space to roam

Making a hedgehog hole to link your garden with others is one of the most important things you can do to help hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs need access to a large number of gardens and other habitats to find sufficient food and mates. They roam up to 2km a night between gardens, parkland and allotments. Habitat loss and people fencing in gardens and other green spaces may be a major contributor towards their declining numbers.

Make a 13cm (5 inch) square hole in or under any fences. This will provide hedgehogs with access but should keep any neighbouring dogs out. Remember to create a hole on all sides of your garden.

I love these hedgehog highway signs from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. If you move house, it hopefully means that future residents will understand why the hole was created and keep it open.

You can also purchase special gravel boards that have hedgehog holes already built in from a number of fencing suppliers including from Jacksons Fencing.

When you’ve made your hedgehog holes, please map them on the Big Hedgehog Map to help build a picture of hedgehog habitats across the country.

Don’t delay – do it today! Then, when you’ve done it, ask your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to do the same….

Learn more about helping hedgehogs

If you’d like to learn more about the many ways to help wild hedgehogs, I run online hedgehog courses for all levels of knowledge and experience.

About me

I am busy creating a wildlife haven in an acre of the Yorkshire Wolds. If you’ve found the information on my website useful, I would be so grateful if you would consider one of the ways to support my work.

You might also like my handmade wildlife jewellery which includes hedgehog jewellery designs and other pieces inspired by nature and wildlife. It all comes with a rescue hedgehog postcard and information about helping wild hedgehogs.