Tortoise Enclosures & Houses UK
Tortoises need the right enclosure for every season: a secure outdoor garden area for summer, a hibernation box in autumn, and a heated indoor table for the shoulder months. This page covers outdoor enclosures and garden houses — for secure summer runs, see our Best Tortoise Runs guide.
#1Tortoise Table / Tortoise House — Best Indoor Setup
A tortoise table is the recommended indoor housing for most Mediterranean tortoises in the UK — open-topped, well-ventilated, and large enough for a proper temperature gradient. Look for at least 120×60cm for a single adult Hermann’s or Horsfield’s. Add a 100W basking lamp at one end (aim for 30–35°C under the lamp) and a UV-B strip lamp above the full length. Substrate: a mix of topsoil and play sand, 5–8cm deep.
Pros: Open-topped for good airflow · Proper temperature gradient · Easy to clean
Cons: Needs separate UV-B and basking lamp · Not suitable as permanent outdoor housing
#2Wooden Outdoor Tortoise House — Best Garden Shelter
A dedicated outdoor tortoise house gives your tortoise a weatherproof retreat during summer grazing sessions. Choose a well-ventilated wooden design with a removable roof (for easy cleaning) and a solid base to prevent digging escapes. Place in the sunniest corner of the garden — southern aspect, against a wall or fence. Add a ramp so tortoises can enter and exit independently.
Pros: Weatherproof shelter for summer · Removable roof for cleaning · Solid base prevents escapes
Cons: Not a full enclosure — pair with a run · Needs siting in full sun
#3Large Garden Tortoise Enclosure — Best Permanent Outdoor Setup
A permanent garden enclosure is the ideal summer setup if you have the space. Use 45cm-high solid (not wire) boards so tortoises cannot see through and attempt to escape. Minimum 2m×2m for a pair of adults. Bury the boards 20cm underground to prevent digging out. Include shade (a slate or ceramic tile works), a shallow water dish sunk flush with the soil, and a planted section with tortoise-safe plants (dandelions, clover, plantain).
Pros: Permanent summer home · Solid sides prevent pacing behaviour · Space for natural grazing
Cons: Requires garden space · Must bury boards to prevent escape · Tortoises need to come in for winter
Tortoise Housing — What You Need to Know
Outdoor vs Indoor
Most Hermann’s and Horsfield’s tortoises in the UK spend May–September outdoors (when overnight temperatures stay above 10°C) and the rest of the year indoors under UV-B lighting. Never keep a tortoise permanently outdoors in the UK — they need supplemental heat and UV-B through autumn and spring.
Temperature Requirements
- Basking spot: 30–35°C
- Cool end: 20–25°C
- Overnight (indoor): no lower than 15°C for most species
- Outdoor minimum: bring indoors if overnight forecast drops below 10°C
Hibernation
Most Mediterranean tortoises naturally hibernate October–March in the UK. Health-check with a vet before the first hibernation. Use the refrigerator method or a cool, frost-free outbuilding kept at 3–7°C. Never hibernate a tortoise that has been unwell or has not fed well through summer.
Related: Tortoise Runs · Expert Reviews: Best Tortoise Runs