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We Build LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest

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 Lord of the Rings set to be launched in the last th

By Julian: Apr 01,2025

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 Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole with meticulous detail. Every wall is rounded or curved, and each surface is adorned with accessories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. LEGO provided IGN with a copy for a test build, and while the set is charming and true to its source material, it comes with a disproportionately high price tag for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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Set #10354 beautifully recreates Bilbo Baggins' home 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 hobbit-hole, 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 designers have gone to great lengths to capture the cozy feel of Bilbo's home, with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food items scattered throughout. 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 a table near the teapot. 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 display in the fireplace 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-hole's design and creating a sense of spaciousness. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior requires careful attention to achieve the flowing curves of the hillside.

Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over a relief map, with multiple curved green pieces creating a natural landscape. This design choice underscores the hobbits' connection to their environment, with Bag End crowned by a tree with gnarled branches.

Several standalone exterior elements enhance the set's playability and scene-setting potential. These include 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 interlocking gears that allow Bilbo to "disappear" as he did at his party.

Overall, LEGO Shire is a simpler set compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, reflecting the hobbits' simple lifestyle. 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, such as Jabba's Sail Barge, which, despite being a licensed property, is less disproportionate in its pricing.

Despite its high cost, The Shire remains the most affordable option for Lord of the Rings fans who couldn't justify the larger sets. However, the pricing raises questions about whether LEGO's goodwill and the franchise's popularity can sustain such a price point.

The set is visually appealing and a delightful addition to any collection. LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and is available at the LEGO Store starting April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public.

For those interested, don't miss the LEGO mini-movie showcasing this set:

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