LEGO enthusiasts and Lord of the Rings fans have something exciting to look forward to: the launch of The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set. Set to release on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public, this marks the third installment in the LEGO LOTR series within the last three years. Following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the monumental 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024, the new 2,017-piece Shire set offers a detailed and charming rendition of Bilbo Baggins' iconic hobbit-hole.
Out April 5### LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest
3See it at LEGO Store
The Shire set, meticulously designed with every wall rounded or curved and surfaces laden with accessories, captures the essence of Bilbo's cozy home. IGN had the opportunity to test-build this set, finding it both charming and fitting for its theme, though somewhat disproportionately expensive for its piece count.
We Build LEGO LOTR Shire
146 Images
Set #10354 brings to life Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole as seen during his "eleventy-first" birthday. This set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The home, built into a green-bricked hillside, features three rooms visible through a cutaway at the back: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area. These rooms are constructed separately and joined via clamps, creating a seamless hillside exterior and a cohesive interior living space.
The set emphasizes the cozy ambiance of Bilbo's home, complete with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food tucked into corners. Highlights include a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread and libations on the windowsill, and artifacts from Bilbo's travels, such as the Mithril Coat in a chest by the door and a well-worn map on a table near the teapot. A sword and a parasol in the umbrella stand add to the detailed decor.
A unique feature is a single mechanical element using LEGO Technic, which allows you to change the display in the fireplace to show either a charred envelope or the One Ring, referencing a pivotal scene from Fellowship of the Ring. The rooms are wider than they are tall, reflecting the hobbit-hole's design and creating a sense of spaciousness.
Building the exterior, with its flowing curves, requires attention to detail to ensure accuracy. The experience of assembling the set evokes the tactile pleasure of running one's hand over an Earth globe, feeling the terrain's relief. The use of curved green pieces creates a natural ebb and flow to the hillside, reflecting the hobbits' integration with their environment.
Additional elements include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with multi-colored lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a group of barrels with interlocking gears that can make Bilbo "disappear." These enhance the set's appeal for staging scenes from the films.
While simpler than Rivendell and Barad-dûr, The Shire set embodies the straightforward lifestyle of hobbits. However, its $270 price tag for 2,017 pieces raises questions about value, especially when compared to larger sets like Barad-dûr ($460 for 5,147 pieces) and Rivendell ($500 for 6,167 pieces), which are priced more competitively. The Shire feels like it should be a $200 set, given its simplicity.
Even LEGO Star Wars sets, known for their higher prices due to the "Disney tax," offer better value per piece. Jabba's Sail Barge, with 3,943 pieces for $500, is a more proportional example. Yet, The Shire remains the most affordable option for LOTR fans unable to invest in the larger sets.
Pricing may be influenced by customer demand and willingness to pay, given LEGO's goodwill and the beloved status of Lord of the Rings. Whether this pricing is sustainable remains to be seen, but the set's charm and detail are undeniable.
For those interested, a LEGO mini-movie of this set is also available:
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.
More Movie and TV LEGO Sets
Explore the best Lord of the Rings LEGO sets, our favorite LEGO sets for adults, and other popular Movie and TV Show LEGOs:
### LEGO Wednesday Addams Figure
5See it at Amazon
### LEGO Super Mario King Boo's Haunted Mansion
3See it at Amazon
### LEGO Wicked Welcome to Emerald City
2See it at Amazon
### LEGO Disney Frozen Elsa’s Frozen Princess Castle
2See it at Amazon
