Why Hedgehogs Need a Helping Hand

After a bracing day on the fells, there are few nicer ways to unwind than watching the wildlife in your rural garden. But one of our most beloved nocturnal visitors is in serious trouble. Hedgehog numbers have plummeted in recent decades, with rural populations hit particularly hard by tidy gardens, lost hedgerows and busy roads. The good news? Small, simple changes can turn your patch into a vital refuge. Whether you walk the fells weekly or just potter in the garden, you can make a real difference.

Create a Hedgehog Highway

Hedgehogs are wanderers. A single hedgehog can travel over a kilometre in a night, searching for food and mates. Fences, walls and solid boundaries fragment their territory, cutting them off from vital resources. The solution is wonderfully straightforward: a 13-centimetre square gap at the base of your fence or wall. That's roughly the size of a CD case. If you have a concrete base, dig a small tunnel underneath. For brick walls, remove a brick or two. Talk to your neighbours and create a continuous route—a true hedgehog highway. Even a small gap makes a huge difference.

Leave a Wild Corner

Hedgehogs love a bit of mess. A perfectly manicured garden offers little in the way of food, shelter or nesting sites. Set aside a corner to go wild. Let the grass grow long, pile up logs and branches, and leave fallen leaves to rot down. These untidy spots attract beetles, caterpillars and slugs—hedgehog favourites. A compost heap is another five-star option, offering warmth and a ready supply of invertebrates. Resist the urge to tidy between April and October, when hedgehogs are active and raising young. If you must strim, check long grass first—hedgehogs curl up when frightened and won't run away.

Water, Food and Shelter

Thirsty hedgehogs appreciate a reliable drink, especially in dry spells. Put out a shallow dish of fresh water—a saucer or plant pot base is ideal. Never use a deep bowl, as hedgehogs can drown. Add a few stones for easy escape. As for food, follow these simple rules:

• Fresh water in a shallow dish—never milk.
• Meat-based cat or dog food (chicken, turkey or lamb).
• No bread, no fish flavours, and only small amounts of mealworms.

If you want to go further, a wooden hedgehog house with a tunnel entrance, placed in a quiet corner, offers a safe nursery or hibernation spot.

Safe Passage and Garden Hazards

Rural gardens often contain hidden dangers. Before strimming, mowing or using a garden fork, always check for hedgehogs. They nest in long grass, under hedges and in leaf piles. Here are the main risks to watch for:

• Strimmers and mowers: check long grass and borders before you start.
• Ponds: provide a gentle ramp or half-submerged stones.
• Drains and holes: cover them or fit a mesh guard.
• Bonfires: build on the day, or move the pile before lighting.
• Slug pellets: avoid entirely—they are lethal to hedgehogs.
• Netting: keep it taut and well above ground level.

The Rewards of a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden

Creating a hedgehog haven doesn't require a grand plan. A gap here, a wild corner there, a shallow dish of water—these small acts add up. As fell walkers, we understand the value of leaving no trace and respecting wild places. Bringing that ethos home is deeply rewarding. Within weeks, you might spot a prickly visitor snuffling through the borders at dusk. You'll also be helping a species that has declined by half in rural areas since the turn of the century. So next time you return from the hills, take a moment to make your garden a little wilder. The hedgehogs will thank you.