by Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May has long been known for his soaring guitar solos, but in recent years, he’s become just as famous for the chorus of creatures that now call his Windlesham, Surrey garden home.
What began as a personal haven for May and his wife, actress Anita Dobson, has transformed into a thriving sanctuary for native British wildlife—one that rivals any nature reserve in heart, impact, and wonder.
A Countryside Haven—and a Wildlife Headquarters
Nestled in the picturesque Surrey countryside, the Mays’ home is more than a rural retreat; it’s the headquarters for Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue, a charity devoted to caring for sick, injured, and orphaned animals.
Since 2019, the rescue has operated from May’s property, with the Queen guitarist lending not just his name, but his time and hands-on care to the cause.
Visitors—human and animal alike—are greeted by a garden teeming with life: foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, owls, and an ever-changing array of birds. May personally feeds the animals, checks up on hedgehog patients, and works with volunteers to ensure each creature has a fighting chance at survival. “It’s one of my greatest joys,” May has said of rehabilitating hedgehogs, a species whose numbers have plummeted in recent decades.
From Guitar Riffs to Hedgehog Rehab
The transformation of May’s backyard into a mini wildlife hospital is no mere vanity project. As co-founder of the Save Me Trust, May campaigns fiercely for animal rights and the protection of wild habitats. He’s been an outspoken critic of the UK’s badger cull, lobbied for greater protections for endangered species, and helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for wildlife causes.
His dedication stretches beyond fundraising. In 2018, May supported Channel 5’s educational “Meet The Hedgehog” series, and in 2015, he helped generate over £150,000 at the David Shepherd Wildlife Ball for species at risk. Every creature that passes through the gates of his Windlesham sanctuary is treated with care—whether it’s a hedgehog in need of rehab, a fox cub orphaned by traffic, or a barn owl needing a second chance.
A Movement Grows in the Community
May’s efforts have rallied neighbors, fans, and even government officials, including former environment secretary Michael Gove, who toured the Save Me Trust Centre to discuss the urgent need for habitat preservation. Local support has helped fund medical equipment, rescue vehicles, and digital systems to track and care for every animal treated on site.
A Rock Legend’s Living Legacy
Brian May’s Windlesham garden stands as a testament to what’s possible when passion and action unite. For hundreds of rescued animals each year, it’s a lifeline. For the community, it’s a beacon of hope. And for Queen fans around the world, it’s yet another reminder that May’s legacy extends far beyond music—his greatest encore may well be the green sanctuary he’s built in his own backyard.
In a world where wildlife is increasingly threatened, Brian May has turned his corner of Surrey into a place where nature still finds refuge, music is made in the rustle of hedgerows, and hope grows as wild as the creatures who call it home.
