Gnome village Hollumer forest

At one of the shell paths in the Hollumer forest is a place that immediately attracts attention: the gnome village.

Between the trees you will see colourful houses, jolly gnomes and miniature details in manicured flowerbeds. What started as a spontaneous joke by islander Jan Engels has grown into a village full of fantasy – and still growing every day.

In the summer of 2018, Jan placed a troll in an old tree trunk, right in a recess left by the forest ranger. His son Sander secretly added a gnome mushroom. A secret relay race ensued: Jan made a ladder, Sander hung aeroplanes in the branches, and new surprises were added all the time. What started as a father-son project soon became a place where children and other visitors spontaneously added things: a deer, hedgehogs, gnomes in hammocks, little houses, clotheslines and even a mini lighthouse.

More and more

Today gnomes live in the gnome village singing, sleeping, peeping, nodding and playing. Every year there seem to be more of them. For young children, it is an imaginative stopover, and adults too often pause to smile at all those details. The village does not belong to anyone, and for that very reason belongs to everyone.

Who is it fun for?

For children, the gnome village is a feast of recognition and imagination. They can explore, count gnomes and bring their own gnome to leave behind in the forest. It is also a fun stop for adults: stop, look and enjoy the creativity that has been built here over the years.

Where do you find it?

You will find the gnome village along one of the walking paths in the Hollumer forest, close to the playground, the duck pond, the beach and Ameland's lighthouse. It makes a nice stopover during a forest walk or day out with the family.

Location Gnome Village

Hollumerbos
9161 DA Hollum

Parking:
Vuurtoren Hollum, Oranjeweg 57, 9161 CB Hollum
From here you can walk straight into the forest

More info on the Hollumer forest >>

More to experience in the Hollumer forest

🦆 Duck pond

At the edge of the forest is the Duck Pond: a lively place where ducks, chickens, peacocks and other birds live. There are benches and some play equipment, and especially in spring – when there are chicks – it is well worth a visit!

Learn more about the Duck Pond >>

🌲 Play forest Hollum

In the Hollumer forest, you will find surprising play equipment at various locations, inspired by the stories of Ameland. The equipment is scattered throughout the forest, so that playing and walking go together effortlessly.

An ideal place for children to playfully discover the forest én the island story.

Learn more about the play forest >>

Gnome village Hollumer forest - VVV Ameland