Â鶹APP

Hobbiton Overall view together with hobbit holes. Picture By Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan 

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Hobbiton

No one can forget the story and filming location of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbits trilogy.

Hobbiton is situated on a family-run farm about 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) west of Hinuera and 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) southwest of Matamata, in Waikato, New Zealand, and is now a Tolkien tourism destination, offering a guided tour of the set.

This is the location where Peter Jackson was so dedicated to the filming of his films, and he knew that New Zealand was the best location for that work. Hence, Peter Jackson went ahead to select the place and after watching these amazing films everyone wanted to see the Hobbiton.

Now, let’s look at the amazing facts about Hobbiton;

1. Only One Hobbit Hole Has Interior

Hobbiton, New Zealand. The hobbits have one hobbit with an interior. By Tom Hall

The whole design was done on the exterior part of the Shire to give it a dramatic look. You can explore the Hobbit holes only from the exterior side.

Forty-four hobbit holes were spread in the 4.8 hectares area of Alexander farm. The whole of Hobbiton New Zealand was constructed over the private property of the Alexander family.

The interior design was only done in Bilbo’s house due to the opening of the front gate. At the same time, other hobbit’s house has only Facades and no interiors.

2. A day is celebrated as Hobbit International Day

It is pretty strange to believe that a day is celebrated as International Hobbit Day. But it’s true! Every year on September 22, this day is celebrated.

The two popular hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo, were born on this day. Hence it is celebrated as the birthday of Frodo and Bilbo. And more interestingly, there is Tolkien week during which this day came.

The American Tolkien Society noticed this day and Tolkien week in 1978. Since then, every year, it has been celebrated.

3. Hobbiton As Wedding Destination

Destination weddings have become more popular among couples these days. If you are searching for the best place for the wedding, then think about Hobbiton, New Zealand.  Hobbiton offers wedding packages that will turn your marriage into a fantasy.

This unique place will make your wedding day more special and memorable with all the greenery, landscape, and decorations.

4. Hobbiton has been opened since 2002

After most of the set was struck when filming concluded on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, a few structures were left standing and this formed the basis of the initial Hobbiton tours, which began sometime after Fellowship of the Ring was released.

When the crew returned to work on The Hobbit films, the village was reconstructed and made into the stunning Hobbiton movie set you see there today.

5. Hobbitons brew their own ale

The Dragon Inn. A complimentary beverage from the Southfarthing range is available other food and beverages can be obtained. picture By Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan

Ale, beer, cider. The ABCs of brewing are all here, and all locally made. Drinks from Hobbiton’s very own Southfarthing Range are included with every tour, but for those who might like to sample more than one beverage, the Evening Banquet Tour gives you the opportunity to do just that.

The evening tour not only includes dinner and drinks at the Green Dragon Inn but also the chance to walk around the set by lantern light.

6. There is a gift shop on the premises

At least not quite. While Hobbiton itself is confined to the movie set and the dining experiences, there is a gift shop located a short distance away at Shire’s Rest.

Fortunately, Shire’s Rest also happens to be the pick-up and drop-off point for the busses that carry all would-be Hobbits into town.

As the busses are no longer picked up from Rotura or Matamata, all tours depart from Shire’s Rest, which features not only a gift shop but a café and a meeting space known as The Hub.

7. Hobbiton became famous on a release of a movie

Peter Jackson, The Lord of Rings Director. Picture Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Hobbiton didn’t always exist in New Zealand. It wasn’t even fathomed until Peter Jackson took on the role of directing the first Lord of the Rings movie.

A native Kiwi, Jackson knew that his homeland was the perfect setting for this cozy village of hobbits. He set himself the task of personally finding the ideal spot for what would become Hobbiton.

In 1998, when Peter Jackson was flying around New Zealand in a helicopter, scouring the countryside for the optimal combination of lush grasses, tall trees, and clear streams, he found what he was looking for. He released the movie that had been captured in Hobbiton making it a place everyone wished to reach.

8. Hobbiton Requires Year-Round Gardeners

Hobbiton Garden is maintained with flowers to add beauty to the location. Picture By Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan

You can’t have all these hobbit homes without a floral setting, after all! Hobbits are said to have green thumbs and be very aware of their surroundings, so it’s no surprise that the natural beauty around the homes requires plenty of upkeep. Gardeners are hired specifically for the grounds so that they’re looking their best during every season.

9. Most Of The Hobbit Homes are Just Facades

While many of the doors open, fans would probably be surprised to see that there’s nothing but empty space inside.

Many of the hobbit homes, which needed to be scaled down to create the illusions needed for the movie, are nothing but facades.

They’ve been incorporated so well into the hillsides that you’d never know the difference.

10. Hobbiton receives a lot of visitors

Visitors to Hobbiton on a normal touring day. Pictured by Joe Ross from Lansing,

The number of people who visit Hobbiton worldwide is shocking. Hobbiton, specifically, gets over 300,000 visitors or more every year.

They recently celebrated their millionth visitor, but what many don’t realize is that’s not including people who visit New Zealand.

The movies were shot all over the country, resulting in a spike in interest from fans of LOTR.