Interior Barn Owl Nest Box - Modular FSC® Certified Owl Box for Buildings

Designed for real barns, real beams, and real people who’ve tried to haul an enormous owl box up a ladder, this Interior Barn Owl Nest Box is a practical, welfare-led solution for supporting one of the UK’s most iconic birds inside buildings.

Barn Owls have long nested in human structures - barns, sheds, churches and agricultural buildings - where they find shelter, height, and access to hunting ground. As modern buildings become more sealed and tidied, these opportunities are increasingly lost. This interior nest box has been carefully designed to restore that lost space in a way that is safer to install, easier to handle, and better for the owls themselves.

The box features a unique modular, slot-together design, allowing each panel to be carried individually and assembled in position. This avoids the risks associated with lifting a fully assembled, heavy box several metres up a ladder - something the original designers knew all too well from years of practical field experience.

Once the back panel is securely fixed to a wall, joist or beam, the remaining panels simply slot into place without the need for tools, creating a strong, rigid nesting box in just minutes.

Because weight and handling were no longer limiting factors, the internal dimensions could be properly optimised for Barn Owls. The result is a generous interior with a 46cm depth from entrance to floor, preventing owlets from leaving too early, and a large floor area of 50cm x 40cm. A wide internal platform gives young owls space to exercise safely before fledging.

Constructed from precision-cut FSC® certified exterior-grade plywood, the box is left untreated as it is designed for use inside buildings where protection from weather is already provided.

Why it matters

Barn Owls are increasingly reliant on buildings for nesting, yet suitable internal spaces are often absent or inaccessible. Providing a purpose-designed interior nest box can make the difference between owls simply passing through - and successfully breeding.

This box is particularly valuable in traditional barns, agricultural buildings, stables, and large outbuildings overlooking rough grassland, meadows, or field margins where prey is abundant.

As with all owl species, Barn Owls are legally protected. Thoughtful provision of safe nesting space is one of the most effective ways landowners and householders can support their recovery.

Where to site

• Inside barns, sheds or large outbuildings with permanently open access

• Mounted on solid walls, beams, joists or diagonal supports

• Position at least 3 metres above ground

• Ensure the box entrance is visible to owls flying inside the building

• Choose a location with minimal disturbance where possible

The back panel comes pre-drilled with 15 fixing holes, making it adaptable to a wide range of internal structures.

Cleaning & maintenance

The roof panel slides off to allow inspection and cleaning. Boxes should be cleaned periodically to prevent a build-up of pellets and debris, which can reduce internal height and cause owlets to leave prematurely.

• If used only by Barn Owls: clean every 2-3 years

• If Jackdaws have used the box: clean annually

• Best time to clean: November-January, when no birds are present

⚠️ Barn Owls are a Schedule 1 species. During the breeding season, occupied boxes must not be disturbed except by licensed individuals.

Selected for Wild Your Garden with guidance from Joel Ashton, this interior nest box reflects a practical, experience-led approach to conservation - designed not in theory, but through years of real-world use.