Nearly 20 years ago the final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy debuted in cinemas around the world. Thus ending, so it would appear at that time, our journey to Middle Earth. The original LOTR trilogy had a profound effect on me. I saw each film multiple times in theatres. I bought the DVDs. I was gifted the Extended Editions. I loved every single bit of those films.
As it would be, I was not alone.
People from all around the world flocked to theatres, bought the videos, and a whole new fandom was born. The only thing that was missing was to go and visit. In 2007 I made a mid-semester trip to New Zealand. I participated in a few LOTR tours and loved New Zealand. The one place I could not get to, because I didn’t have a car, was to Hobbiton. I had read and seen numerous things about how they had preserved the film set and it was open for tours.
I would not be denied a second time.
Armed with an actual car (yay!) and a partner who was as equally enthralled by the films as I was, we made our way to Hobbiton. After a roughly two-hour drive from Auckland, we arrived at the car park. We checked in, hopped on a bus, and were whisked away to the set.
Now, I don’t think I need to tell you that I was truly and absolutely giddy with delight upon seeing the rolling green hills, the farm animals grazing about, and finally The Shire. The set is on an active farm. Meaning that there are various animals roaming the grounds because they live there.
Walking the path into Hobbiton really made me feel nostalgic. I remember watching the trailer for Fellowship of the Ring debut before Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes and it made me hum with anticipation. I had read the books as a younger person, and even seen the animated Hobbit movie, and I was excited to see them bring a Hobbit to life. The walk in did not disappoint.
This is the same entrance Gandalf The Grey uses when he arrives in Hobbiton for Bilbo’s party! This means that Sir Ian McKellan and Elijah Wood stood right there! I’m not one to get giddy or starstruck easily, but I did here and there wasn’t even anyone actually there. I was, to say the least, excited.
Walking around, and being guided by our amazing tour guide Kate, we could see the attention to detail. Various little things indicated who lived where. Whether it was an item hanging in a window or a workbench nestled up to the hillside, each item told a story. All of this was done knowing it would not make it on the screen long enough to be noticed. The craftspeople and artisans take immense pride in their work and it shows. It was a wonderful thing to see first hand and enjoyable to experience.
Slowly but surely we made our way to the top of the small valley. That’s where the most famous resident of Hobbiton lives. I’m talking of course about Bilbo Baggins.
I can’t get over it. Words escaped me at this moment because it was such an out-of-body experience. Listening to our guide, Kate, tell us about how the set was all built and how she herself was an extra in The Hobbit prequels really drove home how magical this place really is. The people who work there are locals and they take huge pride in visitors coming from all around the world to see their little slice of heaven.
Honestly, we could not have picked a more beautiful day to visit if we tried. Being winter, it was still a bit nippy but not too cold. The clouds were out and provided an exquisite backdrop for all of our photos.
After seeing the spot where Bilbo had his 111th birthday party we made our way to The Green Dragon. It is an actual working pub/restaurant open only to guests on the tour. The walk across the bridge to get there was one of my favorite things.
It. Is. Perfect.
Inside the Green Dragon is a cozy space where we were offered a special ale brewed specifically for the tour. We discovered that the brewery that makes the ale was close to the film set. But, that’s another story for another post. Stay tuned!
The Green Dragon is the end of the tour and it is a perfect way to end the roughly two-hour visit. You can grab a pint, yes Pippin it comes in pints, and cozy up to a fireplace, or take a seat outside and drink in (literally and figuratively) the landscape that is Hobbiton.
Because they were actively constructing a new Hobbit house experience (below) we were each gifted a handmade, not sold in stores, mug. You can find people selling theirs on certain sites but it’s best to just go to Hobbiton. Trust me.
Out of all of the things we ended up doing in New Zealand this was by far my favorite. The magic I felt walking into the set was unlike anything I’ve felt in a long long time. It’s also made me nostalgic for the movies and I am going to log off now and go start rewatching the Lord of the Rings trilogy again. Thanks for stopping by and I will see you next time!
John Kidde Writes 