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LEGO Lord of the Rings: Building the Shire, Start of Epic Quest

by Aria Apr 02,2025

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga 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 Lord of the Rings set in as many years, following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the 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 set, The Shire, captures the essence of the beloved hobbit homeland with meticulous detail. Every wall is rounded or curved, and each surface is adorned with accessories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. IGN had the opportunity to test-build this set, finding it charming and true to its source material, though it comes with a price tag that seems disproportionately high for 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. This set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The home, nestled into a green-bricked hillside, is designed with a cutaway back, allowing a view into three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area.

These rooms are built separately and then connected using clamps, ensuring a seamless exterior and a cohesive interior living space. The set emphasizes the cozy feel of Bilbo's home, with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food tucked into every corner. Notable details include a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread, and libations on the windowsill.

The set is also rich with artifacts from Bilbo's adventures, such as the Mithril Coat in a chest by the door and a well-worn map on the table. An umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol. A unique mechanical feature, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, referencing a key scene from "The Fellowship of the Ring."

The rooms are wider than they are tall, reflecting the hobbit architecture and creating a sense of spaciousness. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior requires careful attention to achieve the natural curves of the hillside. Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over a relief map, with its varied slopes and curves.

The set beautifully captures the harmony between hobbits and their environment, with a tree crowning Bag End. Additional elements like a birthday cake, a Party Tree with lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a group of barrels with a disappearing mechanism add to the set's charm and allow for scene staging from the films.

Despite its simplicity compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, The Shire's straightforward design aligns well with the humble nature of hobbit life. However, its price of $270 for 2,017 pieces is significantly higher than the traditional 10 cents per brick metric, making it feel more like a $200 set. This pricing is notably higher than even some LEGO Star Wars sets, which are known for their premium pricing due to licensing.

Ironically, The Shire remains the most affordable option for Lord of the Rings fans unable to justify the cost of Rivendell or Barad-dûr. Yet, on a per-brick basis, it is less of a value. The question remains whether LEGO's goodwill and the enduring popularity of Lord of the Rings can sustain this pricing model. Despite the cost, the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.

For those interested, a LEGO mini-movie showcasing this set is also available:

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