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6 Best Hedgehog Houses – 2024 Buyers Guide
With the thoughtful placement of hedgehog houses in our UK gardens; households can hopefully attract to their garden their local ‘resident’ hedgehog, one of the most familiar of all UK mammals.
Autumn is the time hedgehogs in the wild start collecting nesting materials, such as leaves, straw, grass, bracken etc. needed for their winter hibernation. They proceed to make their nests under natural hedges, fallen trees, piles of rocks, anything to shelter them from the harsh UK winters.
Domestically you may well have such places and materials in your own garden; however, by building or buying good permanent hedgehog houses and placing them out in our gardens we can provide great additional winter hedgehog nest sites which are essential for our hedgehogs if they are to survive their winter hibernation period.
Please Note: We independently selected all the products mentioned in this Buyer’s Guide. The guide includes amongst others, Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from any purchases made through these links. For more information, please refer to our affiliate’s FAQ page.
In a Hurry?
The Best Hedgehog Houses
If you don’t have much time, use the link below to quickly find out my ‘Top Pick’ for the ‘Best Hedgehog Houses’ available for you on Amazon. You can be assured we only recommend products based on our research, product quality, usability, and value for money… ‘Best Overall’ Riverside Hedgehog House
Hedgehog Houses: Autumn is the time wild hedgehogs start thinking about hibernation.
Best Hedgehog Houses – Our Top 3 Hedgehog Homes
Product Image
Best Overall 
Runner-Up 
Best Under £30 
Model/Make
Riverside Hedgehog House
The Hutch Company
Brushwood Hogitat
Construction
Wood
Wood
Brushwood
Dimensions
23cm (D) x 58cm (W) x 55cm (H)
40cm (D) x 46cm (W) x 27cm (H)
50cm (D) x 40 cm (W) x 20cm (H)
Predator Proof
Weatherproof
Anti Fungal
Easy Clean
More Information
Best Overall
Product Image
Model/Make
Riverside Hedgehog House
Construction
Wood
Dimensions
23cm (D) x 58cm (W) x 55cm (H)
Predator Proof
Weatherproof
Anti Fungal
Easy Clean
More Information
Runner-Up
Product Image
Model/Make
The Hutch Company
Construction
Wood
Dimensions
40cm (D) x 46cm (W) x 27cm (H)
Predator Proof
Weatherproof
Anti Fungal
Easy Clean
More Information
Best Under £30
Product Image
Model/Make
Brushwood Hogitat
Construction
Brushwood
Dimensions
50cm (D) x 40 cm (W) x 20cm (H)
Predator Proof
Weatherproof
Anti Fungal
Easy Clean
More Information
Last update on 2024-11-16
Hedgehog Houses For Your Garden
Hutch Company Hedgehog House
There are many reasons why hedgehog houses from the Hutch Company are so well received by the many past, satisfied customers.
This hedgehog house is the perfect place for hogs to hibernate during the winter.
These hedgehog houses are constructed from top-grade C24 timber and treated with an anti-bacterial coating to prevent the spread of disease among hedgehogs.
The hedgehog home is protected from the elements with a ‘mineral felt’, removable roof, making the home weatherproof and suitable to withstand the harshest of the UK’s winter elements. Being a removable roof, it also makes cleaning, and adding hedgehog nesting material and or hedgehog food, very easy.
This hedgehog home has a door opening large enough to allow hedgehogs through but is made small enough to keep out most predators, particularly cats who will undoubtedly struggle to enter the inner chamber, although it’s not impossible.
This large home measures a spacious 26 cm H (10in) x 34cm D (13in) x 40cm L (16in) giving the hedgehogs plenty of room to feed and find shelter during their hibernation period. Built utilising a split layout; which creates a unique internal ‘separate’ area for hibernation.
Finally, you can place your hedgehog house directly in your garden once received, as there is no DIY assembly required so you’re ready to go immediately.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Removable Roof
- Anti-Bacterial Treatment
- Split Sections
- Large Size
- No Assembly Required
- Not 100% Predator Proof
Igloo Hedgehog House
This delightful Igloo hedgehog house lends its name to the shape of this natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing hedgehog home.
Constructed from a painted steel wireframe, with a water-proof roof, covered with a natural-looking brushwood; decorated with rattan bands and camouflaged with moss trim.
These naturally looking hedgehog houses measure a surprising 22cm H (9in) x 59cm D (23in) x 53cm L (21in).
Besides large predators such as dogs, badgers or even foxes, the igloo offers a safe retreat for ‘hogs’ from the many other hazards faced in today’s modern gardens, like forks, bonfires and strimmers.
The entrance door is quite sizeable and some customers have found it does not deter persistent and troublesome cats from stealing the hedgehog food, as there is no separate ‘split’ section inside the house. This could be troublesome for some customers if you have such a problem in your area.
Another handy tip for this house and for added security, is, as with all floorless varieties of hedgehog houses is to ‘peg’ it ‘securely’ down; using tent pegs or similar.
By carrying out this simple task it will prevent hedgehog injury from boisterous domestic animals or predators to the hedgehogs or any small hoglets that may be inside.
Predominately designed as a hedgehog ‘shelter’ or feeding station the Igloo can be used for ‘hibernation’ if an additional ‘brushwood’ cover (not provided) is used over the ‘Igloo’ in winter. Additionally, add piles of leaves or foliage around the house to further camouflage it.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Waterproof Roof
- Natural Looking
- Spacious For Family Group
- Good Feeding Station
- Needs Pegging Down
- Not 100% Predator Proof
- Needs Adaptation
Hogilow Hedgehog Home
The Hogilow hedgehog house was featured on the UK TV series Autumn Watch. It is also one of the more unusual-looking hedgehog houses I have reviewed.
This hedgehog home was in part designed with the help of the ‘Hedgehog Society’ and the ‘Help a Hedgehog Hospital’.
Made from both recycled plastic and FSC timber, the Hogilow has some interesting additional features not normally seen in other hedgehog houses.
To start the screwed ‘construction’ gives both strength and longevity, ensuring the house can withstand some crushing or even the effects of strimming.
Additional design features include ‘breathing’ holes in the ‘main chamber’ to aid air circulation, and breathability and avoid condensation. Small feet help raise the ‘base’ off the ground slightly thus affording some protection from the cold and damp ground.
The simple but effective ‘curved’ predator entrance tunnel, virtually guarantees any hedgehogs or indeed hoglets safety from predators once inside the Hogilow, including those troublesome domestic cats.
The ‘Hogilo’ measures approximately 23cm H (9in) x 39cm (15in) D x 50cm (20in) L and is a purpose-built hedgehog nesting and breeding box, with an ingenious ‘swivel’ roof, once opened one has easy access to inside the Hogilo for cleaning and feeding.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Great Design Features
- Almost 100% Predator Proof
- Solid Construction
- No Assembly Required
- A Bit Pricy
Riverside Hedgehog Houses – (Golden Brown)
This beautiful handcrafted Riverside Hedgehog House is solidly constructed and made almost entirely from timber, giving this hedgehog home, good insulation properties.
The timber is treated with an anti-bacterial/fungal coating to protect hedgehogs from disease.
A good ‘weatherproof’ insulated, solid composite roof, (hinged with snap ring lock) and recycled slate-covered entrance, with resin-bonded flooring, complete the construction of this well-made hedgehog house.
Being resin-sealed, the floor has a lot of protection from both the damp ground and the hog mess inside, such as food and water etc. Resin protection will provide good longevity to the house over several seasons.
As with many designs these days for hedgehog houses, the Riverside House is split into two sections. This simple design with a long predator-proof tunnel, leading to the main chamber affords some protection from would-be predators such as cats, dogs, foxes and badgers.
The manufacturer does offer a longer ‘cat resistant tunnel’ (not included) as an additional add-on to the hedgehog house, which some customers may find useful if ‘cats’ are a problem in your area. The tunnel comes with all the necessary fixings to secure it directly to your hog house.
With a total house size of 20cm (8in) H x 39cm (15in) D X 53cm (21in) L, the ‘inner’ chamber is large enough for an adult hog and a few small hoglets. The Riverside house can be used as either a hedgehog feeding station or as a hibernation site.
The Riverside is shipped fully assembled so there will be no tools or DIY needed once delivered, the house can be placed immediately. All that is left to do is wait for your visitor.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Anti Predator Tunnel
- Fungal / Bacterial Coatings
- Solid Construction
- Easy Cleaning
- Already Assembled
- Little Pricey
- May Require Additional Tunnel
CKB Hedgehog House
There is no mistaking the CKB Hedgehog home. It has that little hedgehog roof plaque above the front door that you can customise to suit you and your hog.
Made from natural Firwood/Pine having a beautiful curved roof and measuring just 19cm (7.5in) H x 34cm (13.3in) D x 33.5cm (13in) W the CKB hedgehog home is not the largest of hedgehog houses currently on the market.
However, small is not necessarily bad, particularly when it comes to predators and domestic cats in particular. It may be a little tight for a large adult hedgehog, but it’s nigh on impossible for predators to enter, thus making this hedgehog house extremely safe for our endangered friends.
The home is of ‘single’ compartment construction with a floor. With a non-removable roof, cleaning, and adding bedding or food to this delightful little hedgehog home is quick and easy.
The hedgehog house can be used in spring as a feeding station, in summer as a shelter, and in winter for hibernation.
One drawback is that the hog house is not waterproof, but this can be carried out naturally by adding brush or other materials when placed and camouflaging your hog home if placing it under a hedge for example.
Like most of our ‘best hedgehog houses,’ the CKB house comes already assembled.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Almost Predator Proof
- Easy Clean
- Natural Looking
- Feeding Station
- No Anti Bacterial Coating
- Not Waterproof
- On The Small Side
Brushwood Hogitat Hedgehog House
The Brushwood Hogit Hedgehog House is not your normal-looking hedgehog home. It looks and feels so natural, just like a pile of brush.
The Hogit is in fact made from ‘natural brushwood’ which is fixed over a strong wireframe. Between the wireframe and the brush is a ‘plastic sheet’ which makes the Hogit ‘waterproof’ and thus suitable for hedgehog hibernation.
This hedgehog house is 20cm (8in) H x 40cm (16in) W x 50cm (20in) L with an ‘extended’ entrance door which adds extra protection for the hedgehog, as the entrance protrudes from the main body of the Hogit; providing protection as the hedgehog enters and exits.
In my view, the best feature of this house is the Hogit itself. Naturally camouflaged, to blend into your garden surroundings under a ‘hedge’ for instance, making it almost impossible to be seen. Cover it in leaves, moss, sticks or twigs for extra warmth and camouflage and it will disappear, leaving any inhabitants inside very safe indeed.
For extra security, I would advise that the Hogit be ‘pegged’ down to avoid any tipping over by dogs, cats or other predators that may come across it; or maybe even high winds blowing it over.
The Hogit is a single compartment hedgehog home that can be easily cleaned, or have bedding added and or food placed.
Of course, there is no assembly and once delivered it’s simply a case of placement and then wait for your friends to arrive.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Naturally Camouflaged
- Easy to Clean
- No Assembly
- Good Size
- Waterproof
- Nothing For The Price
Where Should I Put a Hedgehog House in my Garden?
There are a few tips that will help you (to hopefully attract a potential ‘residence’) when placing hedgehog houses in one’s garden. Hedgehog houses should not be placed with their entrance facing north or even north-east, as this will essentially create a wind tunnel for prevailing cold winter winds to blow straight into the house.
Also try and place hedgehog houses in a quiet part of the garden. Ideally against a bank or fence. This will offer you the best chance to attract a local resident into your garden.
Monitor your hedgehog house regularly for a potential residence but remember that you will not see any activity between October and April when they are hibernating.
Which Hedgehog Houses Are Best?
There are some simple basic principles for hedgehog houses. All hedgehog houses should have a large compartment for nesting and should be well insulated against cold and heat. The nesting compartment should have a small entrance corridor, as this will keep hedgehogs safe from predators such as dogs, badgers and perhaps foxes and other such predators.
Roofs should be detachable just in case you want to clean out your hedgehog house come spring.
For wooden hedgehog homes, care should be taken to ensure that wood treatments such as creosoted, paint or non-water based wood treatments are avoided as fumes from such treatments tend to linger for a long time and can prove harmful to hedgehogs.
Water-based preservatives should only be used on the outside of any of the hedgehog houses in your place.
FAQs
How Many Hedgehogs Can Live in One House?
Hedgehogs are solitary animals and prefer to live alone, so only one hedgehog should be housed in each hedgehog house.
Do Hedgehog Houses Need Cleaning?
Yes, hedgehog houses should be cleaned out once a year, ideally in the autumn, after the hedgehog has finished using it for the year. Remove any old bedding and debris and replace them with fresh bedding.
Can I Feed Hedgehogs in Their House?
No, you should not feed hedgehogs in their house. Food can attract predators and cause hygiene issues. Instead, leave food and water outside the house in a separate location.
Conclusion
I hope that you have plenty to think about and which hedgehog houses are suitable for your own needs based on the reviews above. Hopefully, you can now move forward and provide a suitable hibernation shelter or feeding station for one of the UK’s most iconic of mammals, they desperately need your help.
By placing hedgehog houses in our gardens ensure that the countries dwindling hedgehog population have a great chance of survival during the harsh UK winters.
Also, hog houses, are a great educational learning tool for the kids, who can have hours of fun hopefully watching your garden visitors. Perhaps you can really get stuck in with a Hedgehog House Camera Kit. so you can monitor your hogs and possible hoglets 24/7.
Additionally, if you spot a hedgehog in your garden or elsewhere why not submit your sighting to the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust, who pass this information on to the Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre for further study of the UK’s hedgehog population.
If you are looking for answers to other hedgehog questions then we may have the answers over on our FAQ page under wildlife.