LEGO Lord of the Rings: Building The Shire, Epic Quest Begins

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have a new treasure to look forward to. The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, set #10354, is set to release on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public. This is the third Lord of the Rings set released in as many years, following the monumental 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024. This latest addition brings the charm of the Shire to life with 2,017 pieces, offering a detailed and cozy representation of Bilbo Baggins' iconic hobbit-hole.

Out April 5

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

3See it at LEGO StoreThe new 2,017-piece Shire set captures the essence of the beloved Middle-earth locale with meticulous attention to detail. Every wall is rounded or curved, and surfaces are adorned with accessories that enhance the set's warm and inviting atmosphere. IGN had the opportunity to test-build The Shire, finding it both charming and true to its source material. However, despite its appeal, the set's price seems disproportionately high for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

146 ImagesSet #10354 meticulously recreates Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole, capturing the scene from his "eleventy-first" birthday. The set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The hobbit-hole is built into a green-bricked hillside and features a cutaway back, allowing a view into three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area.

These rooms are constructed separately and joined using clamps, ensuring a seamless hillside exterior and a cozy, interconnected interior. The set emphasizes the homeliness of Bilbo's residence, complete with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food tucked into every corner. Notable elements include a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread, and libations on the windowsill.

The set also showcases artifacts from Bilbo's youthful adventures. The Mithril Coat, a gift to Frodo before his journey to Mordor, is stored in a large chest by the door. A well-worn map, pivotal to Thorin and Company's quest to the Lonely Mountain, rests near the teapot. Additionally, a sword and parasol are housed in an umbrella stand by the entrance.

The set includes a single mechanical element utilizing LEGO Technic, allowing you to switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, referencing a key moment from The Fellowship of the Ring.

The rooms' design, wider than they are tall, reflects the canonical architecture of hobbit dwellings and creates a sense of spaciousness. The interior construction is straightforward, while the exterior, with its flowing curves, requires careful attention to detail.

Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running one's hand over a relief map. The use of multiple curved green pieces creates a natural landscape, with varying slopes and contours that embody the hobbits' connection to their environment. Bag End is topped with a tree, its branches extending over the hilltop, enhancing the set's authenticity.

Several freestanding elements complement the set, enhancing its playability and connection to the films. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a mechanism allowing Bilbo to "disappear" using interlocking gears.

Overall, LEGO The Shire is a simpler set compared to its predecessors, Rivendell and Barad-dûr, aligning with the unpretentious nature of hobbit life. While LEGO's smaller, simpler sets have their charm, The Shire's price raises questions about value. At $270 for 2,017 pieces, it exceeds the typical 10 cents per brick metric by 34%, feeling more like a $200 set.

Comparatively, other high-profile sets like the LEGO Star Wars Jabba's Sail Barge, with 3,943 pieces at $500, are marked up but less disproportionately. Despite its high cost, The Shire remains the most budget-friendly option for Lord of the Rings fans compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr.

While piece count is a common metric for evaluating value, pricing also reflects demand and consumer willingness to pay. LEGO's reputation and the beloved nature of The Lord of the Rings may support this pricing strategy, though its sustainability remains to be seen. The set's visual appeal, however, is undeniable.

For those who missed it, check out the LEGO mini-movie featuring this set:

LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and 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.

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