Traveling With Tolkien: 6 Real-Life Fictional Landscapes (PHOTOS)

Filming of The Hobbit is set to start in March and the ratcheting-up anticipation is unleashing a new wave of Tolkienmania.

If you read the books, you already have an elaborate inner vision of Tolkien's alternate universe, thanks to his meticulous descriptions and vivid language. The film's director, Peter Jackson, dug deep into the text and brought it to life on film--with such success that Lord of the Rings nerds have been making pilgrimages to the movie locations in New Zealand ever since, just to commune with the spirit of his epic adventurers (if you don't believe it, check out Huffington Post Travel's ode to all things LOTR in New Zealand here).

It helps that places like the Milford Sound and Mount Ngauruhoe also happen to be some of the planet's most spectacularly beautiful, unspoiled landscapes.

But what about the real-world, English village scenes that inspired Tolkien? Our friends over at Trazzler put together a list of six places where Tolkien lovers can feel the books come to life in the real world.

Think Trazzler left one out? Have you ever traveled to a literary or cinematic location? Send us your thoughts.

 

Think Trazzler left one out? Have you ever traveled to a literary or cinematic location? Send us your thoughts.

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Quaffing Ale With J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis in Oxford, England

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Welcome to the spot where The Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia were born. While on faculty at Oxford, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met at what they affectionately called "The Bird and Baby" and invented a new genre of popular literature over pints of ale. Their photos are on the wall of the Rabbit Room where you can sit at the very table they did. The Eagle and Child was ancient before these two literary giants graced the halls of Oxford. It has been a public house since 1650 and still has the low beam ceilings and mullioned windows of that era. Today it is still a favorite spot for faculty, students, and fans of Tolkien and Lewis. Oxford views tourists as a pestilence, and you will find that attitude here. Service is sometimes slow and surly. But to be fair the constant inundation of gawking fans must be tedious. Writer: Mary Tills | Photo: Remember/Wikipedia

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Welcome to the spot where The Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia were born. While on faculty at Oxford, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met at what they affectionately called "The Bird and Baby" and invented a new genre of popular literature over pints of ale.

Their photos are on the wall of the Rabbit Room where you can sit at the very table they did. The Eagle and Child was ancient before these two literary giants graced the halls of Oxford. It has been a public house since 1650 and still has the low beam ceilings and mullioned windows of that era. Today it is still a favorite spot for faculty, students, and fans of Tolkien and Lewis. Oxford views tourists as a pestilence, and you will find that attitude here. Service is sometimes slow and surly. But to be fair the constant inundation of gawking fans must be tedious.

Writer: Mary Tills | Photo: Remember/Wikipedia

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Comments

[Epilef2000]

02:17 PM on 02/25/2011

Eagle and Child is so awesome...the chips and fries..and the onion rings...umm and the dark..homey atmosphere is great..and theres a beautiful park in front...

[naschkatze]

11:59 AM on 02/23/2011

There actually is a housing development near Bend, OR fashioned on the Hobbit style home with rounded windows and doors. Unfortunately, like so many developments, it was hurt badly with the popping of the housing bubble, and the last I read of it said that only one home had been sold.

[Angelaaaa]

04:55 PM on 02/22/2011

New Zealand is a truly beautiful country. All my sympathy for the inhabitants of Christchurch.

[Fi]

06:48 AM on 02/23/2011

I'll second that.

[naschkatze]

11:57 AM on 02/23/2011

Thirded.

[moflard]

04:05 PM on 02/23/2011

Ditto

[daffey]

02:17 PM on 02/22/2011

Horrible to hear about the earthquake. This is such a cool story, but hard to celebrate while thinking of what happened in the place where Tolkien's work came alive.

[Austin Cardona]

01:41 PM on 02/22/2011

.... i want a party tree

[shinelikestars]

12:34 PM on 02/22/2011

I fell in love with New Zealand 4 years ago while working on U2's Vertigo Tour as a vendor. The people I met and the places I saw made an indellible impact on me that shapes me now and I hope forever! I wish all the world could see this wondrous land of culture, land, and beauty!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of New Zealand today, especialy those in ChristChurch!

[manjectionist]

12:14 PM on 02/22/2011

Don't try and visit Matamata this year, it's Hobbiton again as they start shooting the Hobbit movies. But definitely drop by when they're done!

[Mary Karius]

12:14 PM on 02/22/2011

thoughts and prayers out the New Zealand and its people today...

[JTWallace]

09:27 AM on 02/22/2011

Such beautifully haunting photos of times of the past and on the other end, horrible reminders of times where men sought power and instead killed the young men and yet, gained nothing. Today, we are still reminded of these same men who seek power, kill, and gain what? We need to be reminded of the beauty that could still exist if only we would preserve those habitats which are left.