The land where Sauron was defeated

Waikato, New Zealand: The land where Sauron was defeated

In the words of Lenny Kravitz, “I want to get away.” Let’s visit the land where Sauron was defeated in Lord of the Rings.
- Cris

Hobbiton

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
— Galadriel (The Fellowship of the Ring)

Did you enjoy watching The Lord Of The Rings? You can still visit the location where scenes in the Shire were filmed. Unlike some film sets that feel artificial up close, Hobbiton is different—it’s alive. The thatched-roof hobbit holes are nestled among real gardens, with clotheslines swaying in the breeze and tiny wooden mailboxes at each doorstep. You can almost believe Bilbo will step out at any moment.

The attention to detail is astounding. The ale at the Green Dragon Inn is brewed exclusively for the site, and the paths are deliberately worn to look like hobbits have been wandering them for years. Whether you're a Tolkien enthusiast or just someone who appreciates magic in the real world, Hobbiton offers a kind of immersive escapism that’s hard to find anywhere else.

If you visit, do it properly—take the evening banquet tour, watch the lanterns glow over the lake, and raise a mug to Middle-earth. Trust me, standing beneath the Party Tree as the sun sets, you’ll contemplate the rise of Mordor and feel at peace knowing that Sauron will be defeated.

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Spoiler alert - the movie set is beautiful but most of those doors lead to small or empty interiors. The original hobbit village was built on conservation land and taken down after the filming of the Lord of the Rings finished. However, the need to recreate Hobbiton for the Hobbit trilogy gave director Peter Jackson an idea. This time, the film crew built the movie set to last on private farmland. You can stay in one of two Hobbit holes that are available for rent. Let your kids (and Spouse) watch the movies on the way to New Zealand and they will think you are so cool when they see where they are sleeping.

Book your stay in a Hobbit hole

I love staying in this Hobbit hole. I’ll be here until next week.

See you next Wednesday.

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