A journey worth undertaking: Hobbiton

Eric Vespe has written a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of The Hobbit to movies which are set to be released over the next two years.

When Hobbiton was built for the filming of the Trilogy, it was a temporary settlement.  Not so this time around:

That doesn’t even count the construction crews that actually built the Hobbit holes, the stone bridge and The Green Dragon. And built them to stay, I should add. 

The last time out they built the Hobbit holes and structures like most movie sets. They were temporary, not functional past the time the crew needed them to work. This time out they made a deal with the landowner to make this site an official and long lasting attraction for fans of the movies. 

Forty-Four Hobbit holes were built to be permanent, with retaining walls, waterproofed roofs, etc. The stone bridge was constructed with a steel superstructure covered with real stone cladding. The Green Dragon is the most impressive of them all because it was built with a functioning fireplace, plumbing, water pipes and the works. 

Hennah said the plans were to actually turn The Green Dragon into a real, working pub, but that’s all on the landowners at this point, I believe.

How awesome is that?! There's even a web site to help with the tour.