Because who doesn’t want insider information on Hobbiton?!
I know there are many Hobbit/Lord of the Rings fans out there, who are desperate to visit where the film ‘The Hobbit’ was set, but lets be honest, if you’re in England, an airfare to New Zealand isn’t cheap.
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I was pretty lucky to have this opportunity, whilst I was on my working holiday in New Zealand, and at the time I was doing a road trip of the North Island.
Hobbiton, is actually the town known locally as Matamata, but since the LOTR craze it’s now known as Hobbiton. To visit the set, you have to sign up to a day tour (you can’t just wander round the set on your own, which sucks) however you do get a tour guide who shows you around and gives you information you probably didn’t know, about the set.
So we set off from Matamata, in a big green coach, and we headed for the hills (genuinely) for about 15 minutes, until we reached the set.
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I’ll be honest, i’m not a hardcore Hobbit fan, but I knew it was one of those things you have to visit, if I didn’t it would be like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel tower, but boy am I so glad I went.
Hobbiton is so cool, everything is so intricately detailed, and there is way more to it than just the Hobbit holes. Even the lake has fishing equipment, with fake fish hanging down, and the hobbit holes have smoke coming from the chimney. So much effort has gone into making this, and the fact that it is all kept in perfect condition and life like is surreal.
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The only thing I didn’t like, was the fact you go round in such a big group, so if you want to take a picture in front of the door, you have to wait in line with everyone else. This, however gave me the opportunity to try take photographs of things people didn’t notice, or were too desperate to get their selfie they didn’t have time to photograph anything else.

Can I just take the opportunity to raise awareness of the fact that the food and drink at the Green Dragon, is delicious!! No one seems to point this out, and it is too good to forget about. They had Southfarthing range ales, ciders & ginger beer on offer, one of which is provided by your tour guide for free. You also have the option to try the range of pies muffins and cookies all freshly made, and it literally beats any cafe/restaurant made food I have ever tried!

I wish it was possible to visit everyday, it is so peaceful and magical, I could quite happily live there, but then again who wouldn’t?! If you’re near there make sure you give it a visit, even if you’re not a Hobbit fan, its well worth a visit, I’m sure you would not regret it. There is never a quiet day at The Shire, it draws in over 350,000 visitors a year and growing, and has helped boost tourism in New Zealand, with them seeing an increase of 50% since the Lord of the Rings was released in 2001, and adding $33 million a year, causing Sir Peter Jackson to be knighted for his contribution to cinema and services to New Zealand.

I would love to visit again during the winter, and sit in front of the fire in the Green Dragon. This past winter the North Island got hit with a lot of snow, I wonder if Hobbiton did? That would be a cosy scene indeed!
Would you like to go to Hobbiton?
Heres some more photos from my trip to Hobbiton:

  • Hobbiton, New Zealand