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Hobbiton Movie Set facts, history & how it was built

Hobbiton Movie Set is the permanent movie set in New Zealand's Waikato region used to bring The Shire to life in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. What began as a temporary 12-acre film set on a working sheep farm is now a fully maintained attraction with 44 reconstructed Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn and guided tours through the Shire.

From how the location was discovered to how the original Hobbit Holes were constructed, here are the facts and figures that explain how Hobbiton became one of New Zealand's best-known movie attractions.

Hobbiton Movie Set is the permanent movie set in New Zealand’s Waikato region used to bring The Shire to life in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. What began as a temporary 12-acre set on a working sheep farm is now a fully maintained attraction featuring 44 Hobbit Holes, Bag End, the Green Dragon Inn and other iconic Shire locations.

From its discovery in 1998 to its permanent reconstruction, here are the key facts about how Hobbiton came to be.

Hobbiton Movie Set facts at a glance

FactDetails

Location

Waikato, New Zealand

Farm size

1,250 acres

Movie Set size

12 acres

Location discovered

1998

Construction began

March 1999

Original Hobbit Holes

39 temporary

Filming began

December 1999

Guided tours began

2002

Permanent Hobbit Holes today

44

Green Dragon Inn opened

2012

Bagshot Row interiors opened

December 2023

Films

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies

What is the Hobbiton Movie Set?

Hobbiton hillside with hobbit holes and lush greenery in New Zealand.

Hobbiton is a permanent movie set and visitor attraction in Waikato, created to represent the fictional village of Hobbiton in Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

Unlike a natural filming location, Hobbiton was deliberately built as a detailed physical set. Today, visitors can walk among the Hobbit Holes, see Bag End and the Party Tree, cross the Double-Arched Bridge and visit the Green Dragon Inn.

The set remains part of the Alexander family’s working farm, surrounded by the real Waikato countryside.

Hobbiton history: From film set to attraction

1998: The location was discovered

Location scouts searching for the Shire found the Alexander farm during an aerial search. Its rolling green hills and open pastures closely matched the landscape envisioned for Middle-earth.

1999: Hobbiton was built

Construction began in March 1999 and took nine months. With help from the New Zealand Army, the production team built 39 temporary Hobbit Holes across the 12-acre site.

1999: Filming began

Shire filming began in December 1999 and lasted approximately three months.

2002: Tours began

After filming, most of the original set was dismantled, but 17 plywood façades remained. Public interest in the site eventually led to guided tours beginning in 2002.

2009: Hobbiton was rebuilt

For The Hobbit trilogy, the set was reconstructed using more permanent materials and greater detail. The rebuilt site featured 44 Hobbit Holes.

2012: The Green Dragon Inn opened

The Green Dragon Inn became part of the visitor experience, where guests could enjoy a complimentary Hobbit Southfarthing beverage.

2023: Hobbit Hole interiors opened

Bagshot Row opened in December 2023, allowing visitors to step inside detailed Hobbit Hole interiors for the first time.

How big is the Hobbiton Movie Set?

Hobbiton Movie Set landscape with lush greenery and winding paths, seen on Auckland private tour.

Two numbers put Hobbiton’s size into perspective:

12 acres — the Movie Set: This is the area covered by the guided Hobbiton experience, including the Hobbit Holes, Bag End, Party Tree, Millhouse, Double-Arched Bridge and Green Dragon Inn.

1,250 acres — the surrounding farm: Hobbiton sits within the Alexander family’s working sheep farm.

In short: Hobbiton is a 12-acre movie set within a 1,250-acre working farm.

How many Hobbit Holes are there?

View from Hobbiton house window overlooking lush green hills in New Zealand.

The original Hobbiton had 39 temporary Hobbit Holes. After the set was permanently reconstructed for The Hobbit, the number increased to 44.

The Hobbit Holes vary in size and design, creating the appearance of a lived-in village. Most are viewed from the outside, while selected experiences include access to the detailed interiors at Bagshot Row.

10 interesting Hobbiton Movie Set facts

  1. Hobbiton was discovered from the air during location scouting in 1998.
  2. The original set was temporary and was largely dismantled after filming.
  3. 17 plywood façades survived the original dismantling.
  4. Hobbiton was rebuilt for The Hobbit using permanent materials.
  5. There are now 44 Hobbit Holes across the Movie Set.
  6. Hobbiton sits on a working sheep farm, rather than a purpose-built theme park.
  7. The Movie Set covers 12 acres of the 1,250-acre farm.
  8. The Green Dragon Inn opened in 2012 and remains part of the visitor experience.
  9. Bagshot Row opened in 2023, adding detailed Hobbit Hole interiors.
  10. The set requires ongoing maintenance to preserve its buildings, gardens and landscaping.

Hidden details & film secrets

Guide explaining Hobbiton Movie Set to tour group in New Zealand.
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Forced perspective

Doors, chimneys, and windows are scaled differently to make hobbits appear smaller on screen.

Artificial aging

Moss, lichen, and weathering were added to fences and props to give the Shire a lived-in look.

Prop maintenance

Items like laundry, tools, and baskets are refreshed daily to keep the village authentic.

Interior trickery

Only Bag End’s interior was built in a studio; the rest of Hobbiton is exterior set only.

Miniature landscaping

Gardens were carefully designed to appear natural while remaining storybook-perfect.

Hidden paths and shortcuts

Some pathways were created purely for camera angles and are not part of the visitor walking routes.

Unique hobbit hole props

Every hobbit hole has props that reflect the character of its fictional resident, from tiny gardening tools to mailboxes.

Custom-built furniture

Benches, tables, and chairs were built to hobbit scale and hand-painted for authenticity.

Water features

The stream, mill pond, and small waterfalls were enhanced with pumps and landscaping for film shots.

Cinematic camera tricks

Certain hills and background elements were strategically placed to maintain Middle-earth’s illusion of depth and scale.

Hobbiton movie set in pictures

Hobbit house with yellow door and garden at Hobbiton movie set tour.

Hobbit holes in bloom

Seasonal flowers and gardens bring authenticity and charm to every hobbit home.

The Party Tree at Hobbiton Movie Set with hobbit holes and lush greenery.
Visitors enjoying drinks at the Hobbiton Movie Set's Green Dragon Inn, New Zealand.
Double arched stone bridge at Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata, New Zealand, with lush greenery and water.
Hobbiton Movie Set landscape with lake and hills, viewed from Rotorua tour.

Frequently asked questions about Hobbiton movie set facts

It’s the permanent film set built in Matamata, New Zealand, used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, now open as a visitor attraction.