LEGO's The Shire Set Brings Nostalgia and Joy

The recent release of the LEGO The Shire Set (LEGO 10354) has stirred a wave of nostalgia among fans, particularly for those who cherish the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. Rosalie, a PR manager from Silk Relations, generously sent me this enchanting set, and I finally found the time to assemble it a year later.

While I feel a bit embarrassed about the delay, the experience of building this set was nothing short of revelatory. The set, featuring Bilbo's cozy hobbit hole and its charming surroundings, consists of just over 2,000 pieces, making it smaller than some of my all-time favorites like the LEGO Ideas D&D set or the Lion Knight's Castle. However, despite its size, the creativity and detail packed into The Shire are commendable.

Currently, I'm reading The Lord of the Rings with my son, which has heightened my emotional connection to this project. Soon, we will watch the films together, and I must admit, I am one of those die-hard Tolkien fans who can easily get teary-eyed at any poignant scene. My son often looks at me with concern, asking, "Dad, are you okay?"

Building The Shire over two evenings, accompanied by the film's soundtrack, felt almost like a spiritual journey.

Constructing the LEGO The Shire Set

The building instructions were immersive, filled with illustrations and quotes from The Lord of the Rings. Each piece was neatly sorted and easy to find, and after trying various other building block brands, I can confidently say that none compare to LEGO. The construction process was stress-free and meditative, making it a delightful alternative to binge-watching Netflix. It's also worth noting that all the bags are now made from environmentally friendly paper instead of plastic.

As I began assembling Bag End, I watched it come to life piece by piece, from the adorable flowers to the intricate interior details.

I discovered many charming little touches, such as the painting of the white tree in Bilbo's study, his book, some gold, and his Mithril shirt tucked away in a chest. Even a piece of cheese on the living room mantel made me smile; after all, what hobbit wouldn't want a snack on hand?

The set also features clever building tricks: turning a knob transforms a burning letter in the fireplace into the One Ring, and Bilbo can magically vanish from the podium with a similar mechanism. Additionally, the set includes interchangeable faces and hairstyles for Merry and Pippin, depending on whether they've already launched Gandalf's fireworks.

Burning letter…POOF…Ring…

Thanks to the turntable: There he is… and gone!

The set includes nine mini-figures: Bilbo, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie, Samwise, and Gandalf. This assortment perfectly complements the size of the set, bringing the Shire to life.

Any Critiques?

To ensure I'm not overly generous in my review, let's examine the set critically.

Yes, there are two floating chairs that cannot be attached to any studs, which is a minor inconvenience. However, I find it acceptable that they can only be placed in the scene.

The party tree, visible in the top right of the first image, is somewhat disappointing. It consists mainly of stacked four-stud bricks, making it a simple build even for beginners. While this doesn't ruin the charm of the set, it feels like an area where LEGO could have pushed their creativity further.

Another common drawback with LEGO sets is the price; this one averages around 270 euros, depending on where you purchase it. You inevitably pay a premium for the LEGO brand, but that’s just part of the experience.

Despite these minor issues, the set remains fantastic. For fans of The Lord of the Rings who also appreciate LEGO, this set is undoubtedly a must-have.

“Gandalf! Sauron has the Ring!”

“Relax, Frodo, just put on your rings and let’s send that monkey flying!”