Van Hage is more than just a garden centre, In addition to the many shopping departments, they have a Café, landscaped Animal gardens, Miniature Railway and even a real ice rink at Christmas.

Van Hage Animal Gardens at Great Amwell displays over 300 animals covering 33 species of mammals, birds and reptiles.

The Animal Gardens is a FREE licensed zoo run by qualified keepers who are happy to talk to you about the many different animals including pygmy goats, ferrets and giant rabbits. It is also home to many exotic species, including a small family of meerkats, racoons and George the giant African Spurred tortoise (who at 9 years old is still growing).

They run daily events during school holidays where you can stroke and learn about some of their most friendly residents. Look out for creepy crawly reptile events where you can meet their snakes, bearded dragons, bullfrog, giant millipedes and tarantulas which are not normally on public display.

This fantastic, 7 1/4” gauge railway completes two circuits of beautifully landscaped gardens and includes a trip over a pond and under a tunnel!

Tickets for the railway cost just £1 per passenger.  The railway is open every weekend from 11am-5pm on Saturdays and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays.  A special mid-week service operates during school holidays on Tuesday and Thursdays.

Please note that children under-8 must be accompanied by an older fare-paying passenger and children under 2 rides free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.

Great Amwell
Herts SG12 9RP
Tel: 01920 870811

 

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