World’s first hedgehog holiday park opens in the UK

Just in case you need a little Friday pick-me-up, we just found out that the world’s first hedgehog holiday park has opened up in the UK.

Parkdean Resorts’ White Cross Bay park in the Lake District has unveiled a tiny caravan park for hedgehogs to raise awareness for the newly endangered little critters.

According to the Parkdean Resorts website, British hedgehogs could be extinct in just under two years time. This time of year, they go into hibernation, putting themselves at more risk from the elements and predators.

It’s estimated that the population of British hedgehogs has fallen from around 30 million in the 1950s to 500,000 in 2018. That’s a 98 per cent decrease in numbers in 68 years.

With dangerous roads, the use of pesticides, urbanisation and loss of habitat all hindering the wholesome hedgehogs’ chance of finding a safe space to hibernate through the winter season.

The solution? A hibernation holiday park designed to create a safe place for the prickly little things to hunker down for the winter and encourage the UK to create safe and snug homes for hedgehogs to rest their adorable little heads.

Complete with french doors, little bunting, seating and plants, the hedgehog holiday park sits next to, and takes inspiration from, local Parkdean Resorts caravan parks.

The holiday company has set out tips for keeping hedgehogs safe on its website complete with instructions on how to create DIY hibernation boxes.

“We need to prioritise protecting hedgehogs now, before it’s too late. Before, during and after hibernation we need to consider making safe spaces for our spiky friends,” Parkdean Resorts said on its website.

“From what pesticides we use on our gardens, to making sure safe and healthy habitats remain for them to snuggle up in come November time.”

Here’s a super-cute video of the Hedgehog Holiday Park, complete with a particularly cute hedgehog wandering through it:

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

hedgehog holiday park Parkdean Resorts uk