It’s our annual Snowdrop weekend when we open our gardens up for you to witness the first signs of spring. Come along and spot the Snowdrops as well as lots of other spring flowers out in bloom. Depending on the weather you may be lucky enough to see our beautiful Magnolias too!

Our first chosen charity for this weekend is Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue based in Newquay.

Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue is a Cornish conservation charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release into the wild of native British hedgehogs.  Founded by mother and daughter team, Diane and Katy South, they are one of the largest purely hedgehog rescue centres in England.  The charity was incorporated in 2017, number 1174597.  With referrals coming from across Cornwall and parts of Plymouth too, the charity’s three full-time equivalent staff members and a team of up to 170 volunteers work tirelessly around the clock to rescue and nurse poorly, injured or orphaned hedgehogs.  The charity also has an educational and research purpose and runs a helpline, attends events, provides educational talks and workshops, and contributes to important research programmes with the aim of improving hedgehog care and conservation. 

With around 1,400 hedgehog admissions each year, Prickles and Paws is Cornwall’s largest hedgehog hospital.  Currently based in the co-founder’s garden at Cubert, the charity is due to relocate to new, purpose-built premises on the Carnanton Estate near Newquay during February 2026.  This will provide modern facilities for hedgehog care, rehabilitation and education as well as ample room for future expansion.

With a lifespan of up to 6 years, hedgehogs eat mostly insects; they enjoy feasting on a big crunchy beetle or caterpillar, making them the gardener’s friend.  Hedgehogs are nocturnal and commonly hibernate over winter in a nest of leaves or logs.  When threatened, hedgehogs roll themselves into a ball of approximately 7,000 prickles which can be raised using powerful muscles along their back.  Sadly our native hedgehog population has been in decline for many years and the animal is now classified as being “vulnerable to extinction” in the UK according to the Red List for British Mammals.  The mission at Prickles and Paws is to change that and ensure a healthy future for these much-loved native mammals.

Useful information for the day:-

Open from 10.00 – 4.00pm

Dogs welcome

A suggested donation of £5 per person. Cash only please, which will be collected on the drive on your arrival (under 16’s are free) – donations collected over the weekend will be split between Prickles and Paws, Little Harbour and the Friends of Pencarrow

Entry donation applies to everyone, including members of the Friends of Pencarrow scheme

Cafe will be open for light lunches and snacks and will be run by volunteers

Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue will be here

The House and Shop won’t be open

No need to pre-book