Hobbiton

Why is it famous?

It's the real movie set of the Shire, home of the hobbits, built into a grassy hillside with 44 little round doors.

Even though the movies finished filming years ago, the whole village was rebuilt to stay standing so visitors could walk through it forever.

How was it built?

A film director flying over New Zealand in an airplane spotted this farm's rolling green hills and knew it was the perfect place for a make-believe village.

Builders dug little round doorways into the hillside and decorated each one differently, with tiny gardens, mailboxes, and even laundry hanging outside.

Amazing facts

There are 44 hobbit holes, and they're built in different sizes — some big enough for a person, others tiny to make actors look extra small.

A giant fake tree was built above the most famous hobbit hole, Bag End, with thousands of fake leaves wired on by hand.

Quick facts

• There are 44 hobbit holes, and they're built in different sizes — some big enough for a person, others tiny to make actors look extra small.
• A giant fake tree was built above the most famous hobbit hole, Bag End, with thousands of fake leaves wired on by hand.
• The farm is a real, working sheep farm — sheep still graze on the hills right next to the movie set!
• There's a real pub on the set called the Green Dragon Inn, where visitors can get a drink after the tour.