Organised by Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog SanctuaryA family run Charity that looks after British Wild Hedgehogs. Setup in April 2015 and based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire and covering the surrounding areas. Mother and son are involved on a daily basis and the Charity rehabilitates wild hedgehogs.
About Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary:
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary is a small, family-run charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of wild British hedgehogs. Founded in April 2015 by a mother and son team, the sanctuary has grown from rescuing its first hedgehog on 15th April 2015 to helping over 2,311 sick, injured, and orphaned hedgehogs and hoglets by 2025. Supported by a team of over 100 dedicated volunteers, our mission is to reverse the decline of hedgehog populations by providing expert medical care, creating hedgehog-friendly habitats, and inspiring the community to take action in conservation efforts.
Wildlife Education & Awareness:
Education and awareness are at the heart of our work. Each year, we deliver nearly 100 educational and awareness talks, reaching schools, youth groups, and community organisations across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. During 2023-2024 alone, 1,050 local children and adults attended our sessions. To date, over 9,500 people (as of 2025) have engaged with our talks, learning about the threats hedgehogs face and how they can help protect them in their own gardens and communities.
Our Location:
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary is based in Harpenden/Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, on the historic lands that once housed Grahame Dangerfield's Animal Sanctuary. We continue to use many of the original pens and cages. The sanctuary spans 10 acres of woodland and open fields, providing a haven not only for hedgehogs but also for barn owls, bats, deer, foxes, rabbits, and other local wildlife.
Why Hedgehogs Need Our Help:
British wild hedgehogs are now listed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List for British Mammals. Since the year 2000, their population has fallen by around 50% in urban areas and 70% in rural areas. Every year, between 100,000 and 350,000 hedgehogs are killed on roads, with barriers such as fencing and busy traffic preventing them from accessing food, mates, and safe habitats. The widespread use of poisons like slug pellets, intensive agriculture, loss of hedgerows, and increased pesticide use further threaten their survival.
How Donations Help:
We care for an average of 30 to 50 hedgehogs at any given time, with peak periods seeing up to 80 in rehabilitation. Hedgehogs typically stay with us from 2 weeks to 6 months, with most requiring at least 1-2 months of care. Each hedgehog costs over £80 per month to rehabilitate. Daily food expenses alone are significant – it is common for us to use 30-40 cans of food a day, plus specialised foods such as critical care mousse and powdered milk for hoglets. There are also ongoing costs for medical treatments, cleaning supplies, gloves, disinfectants, wound sprays, and parasite treatments, alongside maintenance and repairs of hutches, pens, and hospital equipment. Larger expenses include insurance, electricity, and fuel for our rescue vehicle, which costs over £50 a week to operate as it collects injured hedgehogs and returns rehabilitated individuals back to the wild. Additionally, essential medical equipment such as incubators represent substantial costs of several thousand pounds each year.
Every Donation Makes a Difference:
We are entirely dependent on public support to continue this life-saving work. 100% of donations go directly towards the care and rescue of hedgehogs, ensuring they receive the treatment, food, and safe environment they need before returning to the wild where they belong. Your support helps us protect one of Britain’s most loved native species and ensure that hedgehogs remain a cherished part of our natural landscape for generations to come.
Registered Charity No. 1190048
For Hedgehog rescue information, please head over to https://www.hornbeamwood.org.uk/hedgehog-rescue
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary - https://www.hornbeamwood.org.uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HornbeamWood
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hedgehogsanctuary
X - https://x.com/HornbeamWood
Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees
