For the first time ever, visitors to New Zealand’s iconic Hobbiton Movie Set can now venture inside the charming hobbit holes at Bagshot Row. This new immersive experience, launched on December 1st, transforms the film façades into fully-realized Hobbit residences, providing fans and tourists with an unparalleled glimpse into the world of Middle Earth.
The two giant circular doors, which have been a staple of the Hobbiton landscape for years, now open into exquisitely crafted interiors that bring the magic of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to life. No detail has been spared in these new installations. The spaces include authentic hobbit-like touches such as wooden fireplaces, cosy bedroom décor, bathtubs, kitchen spreads, and rustic wooden furnishings, all designed to make visitors feel as though they have stepped directly into the Shire.
The nine-month renovation project, which coincides with Hobbiton’s 20th anniversary, marks a significant milestone for this beloved tourist destination. Shayne Forrest, General Manager of Tourism at Hobbiton, explains, “As of December 2023, guests will now have the chance to venture beyond the door and into a hobbit hole for the first time, within the exterior movie set used for the filming of The Lord of the Rings.” Previously, a retaining wall was all that existed behind these doors, but now they open into a 425sqm custom-made bunker fitted into the hillside, creating a truly immersive environment.
Visitors will now be able to walk the floorboards of No. 1 Bagshot Row, just like Frodo, Bilbo, and Gandalf. These hobbit holes, created at 80% human scale, provide a life-like experience that captures the essence of Middle Earth. “Now the team have created these beautiful interiors so people can get a feeling of what it’s like to venture inside the nice cosy home of a Hobbit,” says Forrest.
Kathryn Lim, set director for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, shares her excitement about the project, noting that many of the skilled fabricators, designers, and artists who worked on Sir Peter Jackson’s films reunited to bring Bagshot Row to life. “In a film, a director decides what gets seen where. At Bagshot Row, the visitor decides what you see. I think that is pretty cool … this is going to last forever,” Lim told the Waikato Times.
The Hobbiton Movie Set, located on the Alexander farm in Waikato, has grown from a simple film set into a bustling tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. Russell Alexander, CEO and co-founder of the Hobbiton Movie Set, reflects on the journey, “Obviously I’ve been here since the movie set inception as the CEO and co-founder, you never get sick of it. I’m just absolutely delighted with it, it’s a massive undertaking … Rome was never built in a day, this [Bagshot Row] was always on the radar for 10 years now and we’ve finally got there.”
The newly renovated Bagshot Row is just a short stroll from other notable locations within the 12-acre movie set, including The Millhouse and The Green Dragon Inn. The entire hillside was lifted off to create the hobbit hole experience, with construction beginning in March and based on concept drawings from 2014. “There’s been three builds happening simultaneously – the excavation and the bunker build out here on the Hobbiton Site. We’ve taken over a couple of warehouses in the Matamata township where they built the interior movie set and then down in Wellington the set dressers built and sourced all the furniture,” explains Forrest.
This unique and magical addition to the Hobbiton Movie Set offers fans, film enthusiasts, and curious tourists an unprecedented opportunity to experience the Shire in a way that has never been possible before. Don’t miss the chance to step inside the world of Hobbits and explore the beautifully crafted interiors of Bagshot Row. Visit Hobbiton and let the magic of Middle Earth enchant you.
