Stay in hobbit houses, Middle-Earth forests, and the real-life Helm’s Deep during these Lord Of The Rings weekend trips.
If you’re one of the many people opting for UK-based vacations and trips this year, we’ve got some fun and quirky destinations for your bucket list. It helps if you’re also fond of Lord Of The Rings and J. R. R. Tolkien in general, but even if you aren’t, these secluded spots and cottages look like the perfect place to unwind in nature. So whether you’re looking for a unique weekend trip or just cannot wait for Amazon’s LOTR series release in 2022, here are three Tolkien-inspired UK destinations you should definitely check out. (All property images by LastMinute-Cottages.co.uk)
Hobbit House, Bodiam, East Sussex, two-hour drive from London
Just because you’re staying in a hobbit house, doesn’t mean you have to live like one. This quirky home may be covered in grass, but it’s actually quite luxurious. Inside you’ll find rounded windows, a round door, vaulted ceilings, a cosy woodburner, plus two bedrooms and several TVs equipped to play the original Lord Of The Rings movies.
But the location of the Hobbit House may actually top the playful architecture. It’s nestled in a vineyard in Rother Valley, just a short walk from Bodiam Castle. Guests can make use of a hot tub, patio, and garden furniture, and they can even use the property’s tennis court. Not bad, huh? Find more info here.
Helm’s Deep-inspired Combe Hay, Cheddar, three-hour drive from London
The breathtaking Cheddar Gorge in Somerset is known to have inspired Tolkien’s ‘Helm’s Deep’, the central stage for the main battle in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’. With its towering cliffs and expansive views, it’s no surprise the author took a liking to the steep-sided limestone valley nestled deep within the Mendip Hills. Furthermore, the cave system beneath Cheddar Gorge is rumoured to have inspired the Caves of Aglarond.
If you want to see the majestic hills yourself, Combe Hay Cabin on Strawberryfield Park is an ideal place to experience the area. Again, the eco-lodge for two is rather snazzy, with a hot tub on the decking and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the countryside. Find more info here.
Middle-Earth-inspired Brookbank Folly, Forest of Dean, three-hour drive from London
A little less luxurious but even more Lord Of The Rings-esque is Brookbank Folly in the Forest of Dean. The hand-built timber cottage looks straight out of a fairytale, but is actually located in another area that inspired Tolkien and his stories. The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are said to have played a role in the creation of the ‘Middle-Earth’.
The entire region is simply beautiful and offers so much for a weekend out in nature. The ancient woodland of Puzzlewood hides gorgeous pathways and the Wye river is the perfect place to recreate the Journey Down the Anduin. Find more info here.