LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire Starts Epic Quest

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LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire Starts Epic Quest

Apr 25,25

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings," have a new reason to celebrate. LEGO is set to release The Lord of the Rings: The Shire on April 2 for LEGO Insiders, with a general public release following on April 5. This marks the third LEGO set inspired by the LOTR universe within the last three years, following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the formidable 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.

Out April 5

LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest

3See it at LEGO Store

The new 2,017-piece rendition of The Shire captures the essence of the beloved hobbit homeland with remarkable detail. Every wall is artfully rounded or curved, and the surfaces are adorned with an abundance of accessories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. LEGO provided IGN with a copy for a test build, and while the set is charming and fitting for its subject matter, it comes with a disproportionately high price tag relative to its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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Set #10354 brings to life Bilbo Baggins' iconic hobbit-hole as seen during his "eleventy-first" birthday celebration. The set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The home, ingeniously built into a green-bricked hillside, is cleverly designed with a cutaway at the back, allowing a view into three distinct rooms: the main foyer entered through the round door, a study to the left, and a cozy dining and sitting area to the right.

These rooms are constructed separately and then seamlessly connected via clamps, which not only maintain the hillside's natural look on the exterior but also create a continuous living space inside. The designers have meticulously emphasized the warmth of Bilbo's home, using different patterned rugs, stacks of letters from well-wishers, and food tucked into every nook and cranny. A wedge of cheese sits above the fireplace, while a loaf of bread and libations adorn the windowsill.

The set is enriched with artifacts from Bilbo's youthful adventures, such as the Mithril Coat, found in a large chest by the door, and a well-worn map on the table near the teapot, which once guided Thorin and Company to the Lonely Mountain. An umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol, adding to the home's charm.

A single mechanical feature, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to change the fireplace display from a charred envelope to the One Ring, a poignant reference to the crucial moment in "The Fellowship of the Ring" when Gandalf reveals the Ring's true nature.

The rooms are designed to be wider than tall, reflecting the hobbit aesthetic and creating a sense of spaciousness. The interior construction is straightforward, but the exterior requires careful attention to detail to achieve the natural, flowing curves of the hillside. Building The Shire evokes the tactile pleasure of running one's hand over a relief map, as you layer multiple curved green pieces to create a landscape that ebbs and flows, mimicking the natural erosion of the terrain.

This set not only captures the essence of hobbit life but also reflects their deep connection to their environment, a theme prevalent in both the books and films. Bag End is crowned with a tree, its gnarled branches sprawling over the hilltop, adding to the set's charm.

Several standalone elements enhance the set's playability and allow for scene staging, including a birthday cake, a Party Tree with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a flying red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a set of barrels rigged with interlocking gears to simulate Bilbo's disappearing act at his party.

Despite its simplicity, which aligns well with the unpretentious nature of hobbit life, LEGO The Shire faces criticism for its pricing. At 2,017 pieces and a cost of $270, it is priced 34% above the traditional metric of 10 cents per brick, making it feel like a $200 set. This pricing is particularly striking when compared to other licensed sets, such as the LEGO Star Wars sets, which are also subject to a so-called "Disney tax."

Ironically, despite its steep price, The Shire remains the most budget-friendly option for LOTR fans who found the larger Rivendell and Barad-dûr sets out of reach. However, those sets offer better value per brick. The question remains whether LEGO's reputation and the enduring popularity of Lord of the Rings can justify this pricing model.

For a closer look at the set, don't miss the LEGO mini-movie featuring The Shire:

LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99, and it is composed of 2,017 pieces. It is available at the LEGO Store beginning on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public.