Bristol is famously one of the UK’s greenest cities, but our prickly neighbours are in trouble. Hedgehog numbers have plummeted in recent decades, largely because our modern, secure garden fences act as impassable walls. These little explorers need to travel up to 2km every single night to find food and mates. When they can’t get through, their world becomes too small to survive.

What is a Hedgehog Highway? It’s surprisingly simple. A Hedgehog Highway is a 13cm x 13cm gap at the base of a fence or wall. This "VIP entrance" allows hedgehogs to pass freely between gardens without letting pets out or unwanted visitors in. By linking our gardens together, we create a massive, interconnected habitat across the city.

Why Should We Care? At UWE Houses, we believe sustainable student living is about more than just recycling—it’s about biodiversity. Hedgehogs are natural "garden guardians," keeping down the slugs and snails that munch on your patio plants. Plus, there is a huge mental health benefit to seeing wildlife thrive right outside your window during a stressful exam season.

What Are We Doing? Over the next few months, we will be connecting our properties with our friendly gateways and working with our neighbors to expand our network as large as we can!

Let’s keep Bristol wild and connected. After all, a great neighbourhood is one where everyone is welcome!