LIFESTYLE

Everything You Need to Know About the Hobbiton Movie Set

Walk into the real-world landscape of Middle Earth on a walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you get a behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit.’ See the remarkable fictional creation that brought Hobbiton to life on screen, and visit the places where key scenes were created.

Embrace the Alexander family sheep farm, just as renowned director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you explore the unquestionable beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges mounting in the distance. Behold the ostentatious detailing, identify the most famous movie spots, and absorb the landscape of this dreamlike world.

The Hobbiton Movie Set

Conception of The Hobbiton Movie Set

In 1998, Sir Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts were searching for the iconic rolling hills and lush green pastures of Hobbiton. An aerial search led them to the Alexander farm, a stunning 1,250-acre sheep farm in the heart of the Waikato. They noted the area’s striking similarity to The Shire, as described by JRR Tolkien, and quickly realized that the Hobbits had found a home. Filming commenced in December 1999, and it took around three months to get a wrap on The Shire.

In 2009, Sir Peter Jackson returned to film The Hobbit trilogy, and he left behind the beautiful movie set you’ll see today. In 2012 The Green Dragon Inn was opened as the finale to the journey. Guests now finish their Hobbiton Movie Set experience with a refreshing beverage from the Hobbit South-farthing Range. There’s an abundance of movie magic nestled inside the fully operational farm.

The Hobbiton Movie Set

Visit The Hobbiton Movie Set – Tour Options

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showing famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. This tour package can also be upgraded to a Tour + Lunch Combo. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch served inside the festive Party Marquee.

The Evening Banquet Tour

Experience this magical Movie Set as you have never seen it before with a guided tour through The Shire at dusk. Making the most of the remaining daylight, your tour guide will escort you through the 12-acre site, recounting captivating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies. The tour concludes at The Green Dragon Inn with a complimentary beverage from the exclusive Hobbit South-farthing range. The guests will then be moved through into The Green Dragon dining room and treated to a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. After dinner the guests will re-join their guide to make their way back through the wandering paths of The Shire. The trails will be illuminated by path lighting and handheld lanterns will be provided amongst the guests to help light the way. This stunning journey under moonlight will travel through the village breathtakingly lit up, with Hobbit Hole chimneys smoking and lanterns glowing in the darkness.

The Evening Banquet at The Hobbiton Movie Set

Second Breakfast Tour

Make the first footsteps in the morning dew on the Movie Set as part of the first tour of the day. Your tour guide will escort you through the 12-acre movie set, recounting fascinating details from filming the trilogies. Follow your guide back over the double arch stone bridge to The Milhouse, just across the water from The Green Dragon Inn, where you will be treated to a breakfast spread fit for a Hobbit. The breakfast table will be heaped with seasonal fresh fruit, breads, pastries, preserves and cold meats. A hot breakfast selection featuring an assortment of a Hobbit’s favourite breakfast staples including fluffy scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, potatoes, grilled sausages and rosemary mushrooms will be available. Coffee and tea will be available throughout, as you enjoy the rustic, intimate interiors of the Old Mill. After you’ve had your fill, it’s time to make your way back through the wandering paths of The Shire and return to The Shire’s Rest, after all, this is only the second of a Hobbit’s seven daily meals!

Second Breakfast at The Hobbiton Movie Set

Private Tour

Private group tours of the Hobbiton Movie Set can be organised for individuals or groups. Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your personal guide will escort you through the twelve-acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie set was created.

Seasonal Experiences

The Hobbiton Christmas 2023

You will be fully guided on a walking tour through the Shire, journey past Bag End, explore the inside of their newly completed Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn. Your tour will conclude at the masterfully recreated Inn and waiting for you will be a specially brewed eggnog to get you in the Christmas spirit. With an eggnog in hand, relax inside by the two indoor fireplaces or enjoy the warm summer evening and explore the Bywater Beer Garden overlooking the movie set. Inside the Green Dragon Inn be sure to check out the Christmas tree which may even offer the delight of some festive treats!

Outside the Inn, immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the Bywater Marketplace. Sample some tasty morsels from the individually themed stalls as you listen to the themed entertainer before being escorted up to the party marquee for a Christmas buffet dinner. Throughout the evening you can enjoy their exclusive South-farthing range of beers, cider or ginger beer and wine range.

The Mid-Winter Feast 2023

With the moon hanging low over the Shire, escape the cool winter air by arriving in to The Green Dragon Marketplace, a bustling, vibrant festival-like atmosphere with traditional Hobbit fare bursting from the market stalls. Sample some treats from the stalls and make yourself at home in the cosy interiors of The Green Dragon Inn, where you will enjoy ample time to relax in front of the open fires. Hearty Hobbit sized canapes will be served while you explore the masterfully re-created Inn, sip on your mulled wine and listen to the live themed musical entertainer roaming throughout the venue.

Follow your guide up to the Party Marquee for a full buffet dinner bursting with traditional Hobbit fare – and, as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged!

Hobbiton Marketplace at The Hobbiton Movie Set

International Hobbit Day 2023

Celebrate the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo at Hobbiton Movie Set, home of the Hobbits. Step into the enchanting village on a guided tour of the Shire, where your guide will escort you through the twelve-acre set recounting fascinating details of how this location was transformed and the movie magic was made here.

As the tour comes to an end, you’ll arrive into The Green Dragon Marketplace – a bustling, vibrant festival-like atmosphere with traditional Hobbit fare bursting from the market stalls. Sample some treats from the stalls and make yourself at home in the cosy interiors of The Green Dragon Inn. Their famous Hobbit South-farthing beverages will be flowing fresh from the kegs, alongside range of wines, with roving performers, interactive games and live music to keep you entertained.  For guests with a Hobbit-sized appetite, the Party Marquee will boast a buffet table overflowing with options for a more substantial supper, and, as is tradition in the Shire.

Hobbiton Beer Festival 2023

Enjoy a tour at dusk of the Movie Set before arriving at the masterfully recreated Green Dragon Inn and receive your specially made beer stein for you to take home. Throughout the evening you can keep your cup filled with Hobbit South-farthing range, which includes two traditional ales, an apple cider and non-alcoholic ginger beer, all handcrafted and exclusive to Hobbiton Movie Set. A range of special ales will be poured exclusively for this event and for those not so fond of ale, you can enjoy their cider, Middle-earth Wine and non-alcoholic beverages, followed by a Hobbit style food buffet.

Rest assured your steins will be topped up throughout the evening and their themed interactive band will keep you in the spirit, up and dancing throughout the night.

Hobbiton Beer Festival at The Hobbiton Movie Set

Hobbiton Halfling Marathon

The Middle-earth Halfling Marathon takes Halflings on a journey through sites and scenes from the epic trilogies including some locations previously only ventured to by wizards and never-before accessed by the public. Participants will roam through the picturesque village of Hobbiton, through Gandalf’s Cutting, past the Sackville Orchard and up to Bag End before weaving down to Bagshot Row and past the sparkling lakefront. Take a stop for a brief refreshment at The Green Dragon Inn before the final leg of the voyage to the finish line across from The Shire’s Rest.

Hobbiton Halfling Marathon at The Hobbiton Movie Set

Private Events

The Hobbiton Movie Set also offers a range of private function options to suit your needs ranging from birthday parties, weddings and intimate banquets, to large-scale incentive events and memorable conference dinner events. Add some Middle-earth movie magic to your next event!

Evening Decorum at The Hobbiton Movie Set