Hobbiton Movie Set visitors will soon be able to venture beyond the door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior

Major development plans set to get underway from March 2023 will see the fit out of a fully themed Hobbit Hole interior that will become a part of the Hobbiton Movie Set tourism experience from December 2023.
The project will see the hillside of the current Bagshot Row shared by three existing Hobbit Hole facades excavated and transformed into a series of themed rooms, cosy enough for a family of Hobbits. The concept designs feature two almost identical hobbit hole interior experiences built side by side so visitors will be led through one of two entry and exit doors to allow for a more intimate experience inside the Hobbit Hole. Each interior will feature an entry hall, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and dining area, an equipped pantry and a parlour complete with a crackling fireplace to provide guests with a fully immersive experience.
Canadian illustrator and concept designer John Howe, well known for his work on Middle-earth, has been involved in the concept design for the project, alongside Art Director for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and Project Manager for Hobbiton Movie Set, Brian Massey.

A project of this scale will have some effect on tours through the movie set while the construction is underway. Construction is set to begin in April 2023, with the beginning stages of this project underway around the perimeter of the Movie Set in March. The development is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Tours will continue as normal throughout this period but will take an alternate route around the construction zone from April onwards, while being able to get a special glimpse of the project as it unfolds.
To date, the primary tour experience at Hobbiton Movie Set has been a two hour fully guided tour where visitors explore the meandering pathways and see the 41 Hobbit Hole exteriors, followed by a visit to The Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary Hobbit Southfarthing beverage to conclude the experience. The completion of the Bagshot Row project will see this core tour experience increase to two and a half hours in duration, allowing ample time to explore the intricate and detailed interiors of a Hobbit Hole, and some additional time to relax at The Green Dragon Inn.
Russell Alexander says the Hobbit Hole development in Bagshot Row will fulfil a long-held dream to allow guests to go beyond the beautiful doors and see inside a Hobbit’s home.
“We have been working on this concept for several years now and we can’t wait to share it not only with Tolkien and Middle-earth fans but with all of the many visitors to New Zealand who count a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set among their bucket list experiences.”~Russell Alexander