Home News LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire Marks Start of Epic Quest

LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire Marks Start of Epic Quest

Author : Ellie Update : May 25,2025

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have something new to look forward to. LEGO will release The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set on April 2 for LEGO Insiders, with the general public getting access on April 5. This set marks the third Lord of the Rings-themed release in the last three years, following the 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

The new 2,017-piece set, The Shire, captures the cozy charm of Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole. Provided to IGN for a test build, this set is both delightful and disproportionately expensive for its piece count. The design includes rounded walls and surfaces adorned with intricate accessories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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Set #10354 beautifully recreates Bilbo's home as seen during his "eleventy-first" birthday celebration. It comes with nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The set's construction involves building three separate rooms—the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area—which are then connected to form a seamless hillside exterior and a cozy interior. The attention to detail, from patterned rugs to letters and food items, perfectly captures the essence of hobbit life.

The set includes artifacts from Bilbo's adventures, such as the Mithril Coat and a map that led Thorin and Company to the Lonely Mountain. A LEGO Technic element allows for a mechanical feature: turning a knob changes the display in the fireplace to reveal either a charred envelope or the One Ring, referencing a key moment from The Fellowship of the Ring.

The rooms' design emphasizes width over height, reflecting the hobbit-hole's spacious feel. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior demands careful attention to achieve the natural curves of the hillside. Building the set evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over a globe's relief, with varying slopes and contours adding realism.

Additional elements enhance the set's playability, such as a birthday cake, a Party Tree with lanterns, a tent, a dragon firework, Gandalf's carriage, and a mechanism to make Bilbo "disappear." These features allow for scene-setting from the films, enhancing the set's appeal.

While The Shire is simpler than Rivendell and Barad-dûr, its price at $270 is notably higher than the traditional 10 cents per brick metric, suggesting a $200 value. This pricing exceeds that of even some LEGO Star Wars sets, which often carry a "Disney tax." Despite its cost, The Shire remains the most affordable Lord of the Rings set for those unable to justify the larger, more expensive options.

The debate over pricing may hinge on LEGO's goodwill and the enduring popularity of Lord of the Rings. Whether this pricing strategy will hold remains to be seen, but the set's charm and detail are undeniable.

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

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