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

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have something special to look forward to with the upcoming release of LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire. This highly anticipated set will be available for LEGO Insiders starting April 2, and for the general public on April 5. This release

By Andrew: Apr 18,2025

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have something special to look forward to with the upcoming release of LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire. This highly anticipated set will be available for LEGO Insiders starting April 2, and for the general public on April 5. This release marks the third in a series of Lord of the Rings-themed sets from LEGO, following the intricate 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

The new 2,017-piece Shire set is a delightful addition to the LEGO Lord of the Rings collection. Every detail of this set is crafted with care, featuring rounded walls and curved surfaces adorned with various accessories that bring the charm of the Shire to life. IGN had the privilege of testing this set and found it to be a charming representation of its subject matter, although it comes with a disproportionately high price for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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, nestled into a green-bricked hillside, allows a view into three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area. These rooms are constructed separately and then connected via clamps, ensuring a seamless hillside exterior and a cozy interior living space.

The designers have meticulously captured the essence of Bilbo's cozy home, complete with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food tucked away in various corners. Notable items include a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread, and libations on the windowsill. The set also features artifacts from Bilbo's youthful adventures, such as the Mithril Coat in a chest by the door, a well-worn map on a table, and a sword in the umbrella stand.

A single mechanical element using LEGO Technic adds an interactive touch: turning a knob changes the fireplace display from a charred envelope to the One Ring, referencing a pivotal scene in The Fellowship of the Ring. The rooms' design, wider than they are tall, reflects the hobbits' preference for open spaces and is straightforward to build. The exterior, however, requires more attention to detail to achieve the natural curves of the hillside.

Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure reminiscent of running your hand over an Earth globe, feeling the terrain's relief. The set uses multiple curved green pieces to mimic the natural ebb and flow of the landscape, creating a realistic and engaging build experience. This design emphasizes the hobbits' connection to their environment, crowned by a tree with gnarled branches draping over the hilltop.

Several standalone exterior elements enhance the set's playability and scene staging. 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 group of barrels with interlocking gears that allow Bilbo to "disappear" at the turn of a dial.

While the LEGO Shire is simpler in construction compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, it aligns well with the hobbits' simple lifestyle. However, its pricing raises concerns. Priced at $270 for 2,017 pieces, it exceeds the traditional pricing metric of 10 cents per brick by 34%, despite feeling like a $200 set. This pricing is more marked up than even some LEGO Star Wars sets, such as Jabba's Sail Barge, which was released in 2024 at a 27% markup.

Ironically, despite its high cost, the LEGO Shire remains the most affordable option for Lord of the Rings fans unable to justify the larger Rivendell and Barad-dûr sets. Yet, those larger sets offer better value per piece. The question remains whether LEGO's goodwill and the Lord of the Rings' popularity can sustain this pricing. Regardless, the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.

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

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

More Movie and TV LEGO Sets

For more themed LEGO sets, explore our top picks for the best Lord of the Rings LEGO sets, our favorite LEGO sets for adults, and these popular sets inspired by movies and TV shows: