The Lord of the Rings is a series of stories that has captivated moviegoers for almost two decades and readers for over half a century. The stories of J.R.R. Tolkien are full of magic, adventure, and classic characters that inhabit and an entire world all their own. To create that world, filmmakers had to scout out the perfect locations that closely resembled the world the Tolkien imagined.
If you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings and want to take your holiday to Middle Earth, here are a few ideas that can help you plan your perfect LOTR holiday.
1. Wellington, New Zealand
While there is so much in New Zealand to attract tourists, fans of Middle Earth flock from around the world to see the landscape that the Fellowship of the Ring traversed. Parts of the films that were shot in Wellington include scenes set in the Gardens of Isengard, Rivendell, and Osgiliath Wood.
You can choose from a variety of Lord of the Rings tours that range from half-day ones to full-day tours. Not only will these tours allow you to immerse yourself into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, but they will also allow you to see some of the natural beauty that this part of New Zealand has to offer.
2. Hobbiton
One holiday destination that no Lord of the Rings fan can pass up is that of Hobbiton. Although Tolkien drew his inspiration for the Shire from places in England like Lydney Park in Gloucestershire, Peter Jackson and the other creators of the films found the perfect setting for Hobbiton in New Zealand. Near the town of Matamata, Hobbiton makes for an excellent LOTR day out. If you decide to stay in the city of Auckland, you will only need to drive about 45 minutes to reach the Shire.
While you obviously won’t be able to hang out with Frodo and his friends, you can tour around the village that was constructed for the filming of the movies. Now, it is a fully functioning tourist destination where you can enjoy a banquet feast while you take in the setting of some of the most iconic scenes from the films.
3. Oxford, England
If you aren’t able to get all the way to New Zealand for your Lord of the Rings themed holiday, fans of the series would still appreciate visiting the place that Tolkien called home for 50 years. Oxford in England is not only a picturesque city to visit filled with fantastic architecture and history, but you can also see the places that Tolkien and his cohorts used to frequent. Tolkien was famously part of a literary group called The Inklings. Other members of this group included C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, among other notable British writers and poets. Have a pint at the writers’ favourite pub, the Eagle and Child, and get inspired by the place where so many conversations between these literary geniuses took place.
