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Ranger Stu

Kids' birthday party venue in London

Mobile from Cedars Nature Centre, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire

Live exotic animals brought to your party by a licensed zoo keeper — the birthday child becomes Junior Ranger. Ages 7 and over

About Ranger Stu

Ranger Stu brings live exotic animals to birthday parties across London and the South East. Stuart Short has been doing this for over fourteen years, presents regularly at the Natural History Museum, and runs his own licensed zoo at the Cedars Nature Centre in Hertfordshire. The birthday child is made Junior Ranger for the party: they help with every animal and pick friends to help them along the way. The children meet birds, invertebrates, reptiles and mammals, and in the longer show the mammals are deliberately held back for the final half hour. As Stu puts it, all you have to do is bring the food, the cake and the audience. Parties are for children of seven and over, prices vary by day of the week, and travel is charged on top by borough

At a glance

Photos

Ranger Stu — kids' party venue in London

Party packages & pricing

The Hour's Show

An hour straight through with the animals, no break. The children meet and interact with birds, invertebrates, reptiles and mammals. The birthday child is the Junior Ranger, helping with every animal and choosing friends to help them along the way. Priced by day of the week, with travel, parking and any congestion charge added on top.

  • Price: £240 Mon-Thu £240; Fri £250; Sat-Sun £265
  • Ages: 7–12

The Full Show

The full package, and more than just a longer version. An hour straight through with a bird, invertebrates and reptiles, then a thirty-minute break for your food where Stu puts music on and the children try to catch him out with animal questions, then a final thirty minutes with the mammals — deliberately saved for last. It brings more animals than the Hour's Show and keeps the entertainment going through the food. Priced by day of the week, with travel, parking and any congestion charge on top.

  • Price: £340 Mon-Thu £340; Fri £350; Sat-Sun £365
  • Ages: 7–12

Frequently asked questions

How much does a party cost?
The Hour's Show is £240 Monday to Thursday, £250 on a Friday and £265 at the weekend. The Full Show is £340, £350 and £365 on the same basis. Travel, parking and the congestion charge are added on top where they apply.
How much is travel to my part of London?
Travel is estimated from Ranger Stu's zoo in Hertfordshire and varies by borough. Enfield, Barnet and Waltham Forest are from £10. Harrow, Brent, Haringey and Redbridge from £20. Hillingdon, Ealing, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Newham, Barking and Havering from £25. Hounslow, Richmond, Kingston, Merton, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Sutton, Lambeth, Croydon, Bromley, Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich, Bexley and Tower Hamlets from £30. Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and the City of London are from £35 plus the congestion charge.
What is the difference between the two shows?
The Hour's Show runs straight through for an hour with the animals. The Full Show is the fuller package: an hour with the animals, then a thirty-minute food break where Stu puts music on and the children try to catch him out with animal questions, then a final thirty minutes with the mammals. The Full Show also brings more animals, and the mammals are deliberately saved for the end.
What ages is it for?
Parties are for children aged seven and over. Ranger Stu no longer presents parties for under-sevens. There is no age limit on his school visits or other events, only on birthday parties.
What animals come?
Birds, invertebrates, reptiles and mammals. In the Full Show the children meet a bird, invertebrates and reptiles in the first half, with the mammals saved for the last thirty minutes.
What does the birthday child get?
The birthday child is made Junior Ranger for the party. They help with every animal and choose friends to help them along the way.
Is food provided?
No. You bring the food, the cake and the audience — Ranger Stu brings everything else. The Full Show builds a thirty-minute break into the running order for your food.
Is he licensed and insured?
Stuart Short has been running animal parties for over fourteen years, is fully insured, licensed and DBS checked, presents regularly at the Natural History Museum, and runs his own licensed zoo at the Cedars Nature Centre in Hertfordshire.
Does he do anything other than birthday parties?
Yes. He also does animal school visits, a prehistoric dinosaur show, and keeper-run experiences at his own zoo, the Cedars Nature Centre — including Meet the Meerkats and Junior Keeper sessions. The under-seven age limit applies only to birthday parties.
How far ahead should I book?
Book early. His events typically get booked up around twelve weeks in advance, and he is often fully booked for months at a time.

Reviews

5.0 / 5 based on 5 reviews.

  1. S Parke — Rating: 5/5

    Great way to spend 30 mins with the kids. Educational and affordable. With opportunities to pet animals and wash hands.

  2. Jude Vinton — Rating: 5/5

    We returned to Cedars Nature Centre with my animal loving 11 year old, for the junior keeper experience (2hrs). Aaron, our (training zoologist) keeper showed us around and answered every question we had expertly. He was so patient, unflappable and knowledgeable. We got up close to so many of the centre’s animals, helped with feeding and animal care, but the highlight was getting in with meerkats for feeding time. Honestly, this little animal centre do so well - standards are high for care (visitors and animals, both) and the staff are so passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming. Thanks for having us, she wants to come back next year for her 12th birthday:-)

  3. A K — Rating: 5/5

    If you’ve ever wanted to lock eyes with a meerkat while contemplating life’s big questions, Cedars Nature Centre is your kind of place. Tucked inside the lovely Cedars Park, this mini-zoo is like the TARDIS of wildlife — small on the outside, full of surprises inside. One moment you’re peering at a sleepy owl, the next you're face-to-face with a skunk who looks like it knows your secrets. The staff are absolute legends — funny, friendly, and wildly enthusiastic about their animals (honestly, ask them anything and prepare to be amazed). The place has a real personal touch, and you can tell the animals are treated like royalty. There are also up-close encounters that’ll turn any sceptic into a full-blown animal whisperer. Petting a giant African land snail wasn’t on my bucket list… but now I highly recommend it. Best of all? It’s only £2.40 to enter and the kids got in free with a leaflet a kind gentleman was handing out around the park, Though after your visit, you'll probably want to donate just to say thanks for the serotonin boost. In short: Cedars Nature Centre is small, mighty, and full of character — a five-star experience with fur, feathers, and just the right amount of chaos.

  4. D Z — Rating: 5/5

    Lovely little nature centre, there are different talks and you can meet the animals, the skunks, meerkat, bearded dragons, kookaburras etc. You can also feed them. The staff are really friendly and kind, and the gift shop is lovely. Tickets are only £2.40.

  5. chris guy — Rating: 5/5

    This is a wonderful, peaceful environment, in an urban area. Wonderful for all ages. Children will love exploring here and adults can sit and relax, listening and watching nature. Beautiful gardens and park, with wonderful variety of trees and plants. The cafe is also worth a visit.

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