Great Amwell is a Village in the county of Hertfordshire.
Great Amwell is a village and civil parish in East Hertfordshire, located about 1.5 miles southeast of Ware and roughly 20 miles north of London. As of the 2011 Census, the population was 2,353. The village is known for its scenic setting, historical features, and strong sense of community.
The name “Great Amwell” is believed to come from “Emma’s Well,” a spring near the village that was one of the sources of the New River—an artificial waterway built in the early 1600s to supply London with fresh water. This connection to the New River remains a key part of the village’s historical identity.
There is evidence of ancient settlement in the area, including traces of an Iron Age hill fort and a large tumulus at Barrowfield. The parish church of St John the Baptist, which dates from the 11th century, is a Grade II* listed building and features a Norman chancel arch and a 15th-century tower.
Just outside the village lies the Amwell Nature Reserve, a former gravel pit now managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. It’s recognised internationally for its wintering wildfowl and is considered one of Britain’s best sites for dragonflies. The reserve also supports rare plants and a wide variety of wildlife.
Great Amwell has been home to a number of notable figures, including Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler, and Quaker poet John Scott of Amwell. Richard Warren, a Mayflower passenger and ancestor of two U.S. presidents, married a woman from the village in 1610.
Today, Great Amwell is a peaceful and attractive village with a traditional pub, walking routes along the River Lee and New River, and a strong local community. It combines natural beauty, historical depth, and a relaxed atmosphere in a well-connected location.
Great Amwell postcode: SG12 9SP
There are great places to visit near Great Amwell including some great cities, villages, lakes, parks, hiking areas, towns, geological features, woodlands, nature reserves, waterfalls, historic buildings, gardens, country parks, ruins, shopping centres, attractions, castles and bluebell woods.
The area around Great Amwell boasts some of the best cities including Letchworth, and St Albans.
There are a several good villages in the Great Amwell area like Norton, Redbourn, Anstey, Therfield, Chorleywood, Essendon, and Great Amwell.
Don't miss Norton Pond, Radwell Mill Lake, and Hatfield Forest Lake's lakes if visiting the area around Great Amwell.
Great Amwell's best nearby parks can be found at Broadway Gardens, and Chorleywood Common.
Hiking Areas to visit near Great Amwell include Letchworth’s Greenway, and Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve.
The area around Great Amwell features a number of interesting towns including Hitchin, Bishop's Stortford, Royston, Welwyn Garden City, Baldock, Sawbridgeworth, and Hatfield.
Great Amwell is near some unmissable geological features like Hill End Chalk Pit,
Woodlands to visit near Great Amwell include Hitchwood, Hatfield Forest, and Ashridge Estate.
The area around Great Amwell features a number of interesting nature reserves including Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve, Stotfold Watermill and Nature Reserve, and Chorleywood Common.
The area close to Great Amwell boasts some of the best waterfalls including Oughtonhead Waterfall.
Don't miss Stotfold Watermill and Nature Reserve, Church of Saint Mary at Hitchin, Wimpole Hall, Wimpole Ruins, Hatfield House, and Rye House Gatehouse's historic buildings if visiting the area around Great Amwell.
Gardens to visit near Great Amwell include Hitchin Lavender.
There are a several good country parks in the Great Amwell area like Hatfield Forest, Wimpole Estate, Stanborough Park, Pishiobury Park, and Ashridge Estate.
Ruins to visit near Great Amwell include Wimpole Ruins, and Berkhamsted Castle.
atria Watford is one of Great Amwell's best, nearby shopping centres to visit in Great Amwell.
The area around Great Amwell boasts some of the best attractions including Planet Ice Hemel Hempstead, and East Herts Miniature Railway.
The area around Great Amwell's best castles can be found at Berkhamsted Castle.
Don't miss Ashridge Estate's bluebell woods if visiting the area around Great Amwell.
Great Amwell History
There are some historic monuments around Great Amwell: