LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have a new reason to celebrate. On April 2, LEGO Insiders can get their hands on the latest addition to the LEGO Lord of the Rings series, with the general public following on April 5. This new set, named The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, marks the third release in the LEGO LOTR lineup over the past three years, following the monumental 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the imposing 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
Comprising 2,017 pieces, The Shire set beautifully captures the essence of the beloved hobbit homeland with its rounded walls and curved surfaces, all adorned with intricate accessories. LEGO provided IGN with an early copy for a test build, which revealed a charming set that, while fitting the theme perfectly, comes with a price tag that feels disproportionately expensive considering the piece count.
We Build LEGO LOTR Shire
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Set #10354 meticulously recreates 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 hobbit-hole is ingeniously built into a green-bricked hillside, with the back cut away to showcase three distinct rooms: the main foyer accessible through the round door, a study to the left, and a cozy dining and sitting area to the right.
The construction process involves building these rooms separately before connecting them with clamps, ensuring a seamless hillside exterior and a unified interior living space. The set emphasizes the warmth and coziness of Bilbo's home, complete with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food items scattered throughout. You'll find a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread and drinks on the windowsill, adding to the lived-in feel.
The set is not just a home; it's a treasure trove of Bilbo's adventures. Inside a large chest by the door lies the Mithril Coat, a gift to Frodo before his journey to Mordor. A well-worn map on the table near the teapot hints at Thorin and Company's quest to the Lonely Mountain. An umbrella stand near the door holds a sword and a parasol, adding to the collection of Bilbo's mementos.
A single mechanical feature, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, recreating the iconic scene from The Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf reveals the Ring's markings to Frodo.
The rooms' design, wider than they are tall, reflects the hobbit architecture and creates a sense of open space. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior demands more attention due to its flowing curves, ensuring an accurate representation of the natural landscape.
Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running your hand over a relief map, with multiple curved green pieces creating a natural flow to the hillside. This design choice underscores the integration of hobbits with their environment, a theme central to Tolkien's works. The set is topped with a tree, its branches sprawling over the hilltop, adding to the scenic beauty.
Additional elements outside the core set enhance its playability and scene-setting capabilities. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree adorned with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent (famous for being blown up by Merry and Pippin in the film), a red dragon firework mounted on a clear attachment for a flying effect, and Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage with swappable leg pieces for Frodo and Gandalf to ride. There's also a set of barrels connected to gears, allowing you to reenact Bilbo's disappearing act from his birthday party.
Despite its intricate detailing and thematic accuracy, The Shire is a simpler build compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, aligning with the humble lifestyle of hobbits. However, its pricing raises eyebrows. At $270 for 2,017 pieces, it exceeds the traditional pricing metric of 10 cents per brick by 34%, which feels steep for what seems like a $200 set. In comparison, other high-profile sets like the LEGO Star Wars Jabba's Sail Barge, while also marked up, are not as disproportionate.
Ironically, this set remains the most budget-friendly option for Lord of the Rings fans who found Rivendell or Barad-dûr out of reach. Yet, on a per-brick basis, those larger sets offer better value. Pricing can be influenced by demand and consumer willingness to pay, raising questions about whether LEGO's brand loyalty and the LOTR franchise's popularity will justify this pricing strategy. Nevertheless, The Shire remains a visually appealing set.
Don't miss out on 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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