LEGO Lord of the Rings: Building the Shire, Start of Epic Quest

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have a new set to look forward to with the upcoming release of **The Lord of the Rings: The Shire**. This enchanting set, numbered #10354, will be available for LEGO Insiders starting April 2 and for the general public on April 5. Priced at $269.99, this 2,017-piece set continues the trend of LEGO's Lord of the Rings releases, following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.

LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest

The new LEGO The Shire set beautifully captures the warmth and detail of Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole, as seen during his "eleventy-first" birthday celebration. The set boasts nine minifigures, including Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The home, nestled into a green-bricked hillside, is designed with a cutaway back, offering a glimpse into three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area.

Each room is built separately and then connected using clamps, creating a seamless hillside exterior and a cozy interior. The set emphasizes the homely feel of Bilbo's abode with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food items scattered throughout. Notable artifacts from Bilbo's adventures, such as the Mithril Coat and a well-worn map, are included, adding depth to the set.

A unique feature of the set is a LEGO Technic mechanism that allows you to switch the display in the fireplace between a charred envelope and the One Ring, recreating a memorable scene from *The Fellowship of the Ring*. While the interiors are straightforward to assemble, the exterior requires careful attention to achieve the natural, flowing curves of the hillside, reminiscent of the tactile pleasure of running a hand over a relief map.

The set also includes several freestanding exterior elements that enhance storytelling, such as a birthday cake, a Party Tree with lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a group of barrels with a disappearing mechanism for Bilbo.

Despite its charm and simplicity, which aligns with the hobbits' lifestyle, the set's pricing has drawn attention. At $270 for 2,017 pieces, it is 34% above the traditional pricing metric of 10 cents per brick. Comparatively, Rivendell and Barad-dûr offer more pieces at a lower per-brick cost. While some may argue that pricing reflects demand and consumer willingness to pay, the set's cost feels disproportionate for its complexity.

However, for Lord of the Rings fans, The Shire remains the most affordable option among the recent releases. LEGO's continued commitment to this beloved franchise and the detailed craftsmanship of the set still make it an attractive choice, even if the price is a point of contention.

For a closer look at the set, check out the LEGO mini-movie showcasing The Shire. LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, is available at the LEGO Store starting on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public.