LEGO enthusiasts and Lord of the Rings fans have a new set to look forward to: The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, set to be released on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public. This is the third set in the LOTR series that LEGO has launched in the past three years, following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the detailed 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
The new 2,017-piece Shire set is a lovingly crafted model that captures the essence of the hobbits' home with rounded walls and surfaces adorned with various accessories. LEGO provided IGN with a copy for a test build, and while the set is charming and true to the source material, it's worth noting that it comes with a price tag that might seem disproportionately expensive given its piece count.
We Build LEGO LOTR Shire
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Set #10354 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, is designed with an open back to reveal three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area.
Each room is built separately and connected via clamps, creating a seamless exterior hillside and an interconnected interior. The set emphasizes the cozy atmosphere of Bilbo's home with detailed touches like patterned rugs, stacks of letters, and various food items. Notable elements 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 youthful adventures. The Mithril Coat, which Bilbo later gifts to Frodo, is stored in a large chest by the door. A well-worn map, reminiscent of Thorin and Company's journey to the Lonely Mountain, sits on a table near the teapot. An umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol.
A unique feature of the set is a single mechanical element that uses LEGO Technic to switch the display in the fireplace between a charred envelope and the One Ring, recreating a key scene from The Fellowship of the Ring.
The rooms are designed to be wider than they are tall, reflecting the canonical hobbit architecture and creating a sense of spaciousness. The interior construction is straightforward, but the exterior requires careful attention to achieve the natural curves of the hillside. Building the set evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over an Earth globe, with the use of curved green pieces creating a varied landscape.
The set's design reflects the hobbits' harmonious relationship with their environment, crowned with a tree whose branches extend over the hilltop. Additional elements, while not essential to the core set, enhance its playability by allowing fans to recreate scenes from the films, including a birthday cake, a Party Tree with lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, and Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage. The set also includes barrels with interlocking gears to simulate Bilbo's disappearance at his party.
Overall, the LEGO Shire set is simpler than the previous Rivendell and Barad-dûr sets, fitting the unpretentious nature of hobbit life. However, its simplicity is juxtaposed with a high price point that might not align with expectations for a set of its size.
Traditionally, LEGO sets are priced at around 10 cents per brick. Barad-dûr, at 5,147 pieces, costs $460, which is 16% below the expected price. Rivendell, with 6,167 pieces, is priced at $500, 19% below the standard. In contrast, The Shire, with 2,017 pieces, is priced at $270, which is 34% above the standard metric, making it feel more like a $200 set.
While LEGO Star Wars sets often come with higher price tags due to the "Disney tax," even the 2024 release of Jabba's Sail Barge, with 3,943 pieces for $500, was only 27% above the metric. **Ironically, The Shire remains the most budget-friendly option for Lord of the Rings fans unable to invest in Rivendell or Barad-dûr, yet it offers less value per brick compared to its predecessors.**
Some argue that pricing should reflect customer demand and willingness to pay. LEGO's goodwill and the beloved status of Lord of the Rings might support this pricing strategy, but its sustainability remains to be seen. Despite the pricing concerns, the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.
For those interested, a LEGO mini-movie featuring this set is also available:
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 on April 5 for the general public.
More Movie and TV LEGO Sets
For fans looking to explore more, here are some of the best Lord of the Rings LEGO sets, our favorite LEGO sets for adults, and popular Movie and TV Show LEGOs:
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