Hobbiton

My adventure in Hobbiton.

On one of my many adventures I have been fortunate to go on I got the opportunity to visit Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand. It was one of the many places where the films were shot that I actually got to visit.

The bus ride to the entrance itself was a magical windy road over New Zealand hilly farm land with stunning views that went on for miles. Our group was greeted by a tour guide who was as big lord of the rings fan girl as us. He could answer every question we could throw at him, while also giving interesting little facts here and there.

Did you know they had to import sheep for all the scenes in Hobbiton to have in the background?

Even though they were filming on a farm, a sheep farm specifically.

Apparently they were the wrong kind of sheep and so had to import a different kind of sheep. I feel like they may of had too much of a budget for the films. The first thing you notice while walking around the set is the amount of detail the film crew must have put into every little detail. From the signs pointing to The Green Dragon pub and Hobbiton to Bilbo’s tree, where the leaves had to be painted FIVE different shades of green before the team were satisfied. There were also different sized Hobbit homes that were used for filming.

However a lot of the hobbit homes were off limits, there was only one available for having a nosey around/photo opportunities. It was a magical feeling being able to walk around not only a place that you imagined while reading the books but had also been brought to life on screen. I was awe struck by every new set I got to visit and never wanted to leave. Yet the best was saved for last.

The Green Dragon pub, an actual working pub with its own cider and beer specifically crafted for it! Yes I had a pint in the actual Green Dragon pub! I wanted it to be my local, it was filled with comfy chairs and a roaring fire place. I would love to say that I brought my own copy of The Lord of the Rings for the photo opportunity, however that was borrowed from someone who clearly had thought this through better.

It was so amazing I never wanted to leave! No, genuinely our group was really confused when the tour guide said we had to leave, we thought we could spend all day chilling out at the Green Dragon pub.

— Natasha Reads x