From the English countryside to the rugged landscapes of New Zealand, discover the awe-inspiring places that brought Middle-earth to life

Seventy years after the release of The Fellowship of the Ring, the breathtaking settings of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth continue to captivate fans. With the recent debut of the second season of the TV series The Rings of Power, more attention has been drawn to the real-world locations that mirror Tolkien’s fantastical world. While Middle-earth is a fictional realm, its awe-inspiring landscapes are rooted in actual places, spanning from England’s rolling hills to New Zealand’s majestic fjords. These Tolkien Real-Life Middle-earth locations offer fans a chance to experience the magic firsthand.

1. The Tolkien Trail: Lancashire, England

While writing The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien resided at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, a region whose landscapes are believed to have influenced his depiction of the Shire, the tranquil homeland of the hobbits. The seven-mile Tolkien Trail allows fans to explore these bucolic settings, passing through landmarks such as Cromwell’s Bridge and the stately Hacking Hall, which parallels locations like the Bucklebury Ferry in Tolkien’s world. Fans of the series can begin their journey at the Shireburn Arms pub, a 17th-century establishment Tolkien frequented. This Tolkien Real-Life Middle-earth experience offers a unique glimpse into the landscapes that shaped his imagination.

2. Cheddar Gorge: Somerset, England

Among the most striking landscapes linked to Tolkien’s work is Cheddar Gorge, a limestone valley in Somerset. Tolkien himself confirmed that the shimmering caves of the gorge inspired the Glittering Caves of Helm’s Deep from The Lord of the Rings. The gorge’s Gough Cave, with its intricate rock formations, captures the essence of Tolkien’s description: “columns of white and saffron and dawn-rose… fluted and twisted into dreamlike forms.”

3. Denize Bluffs: Waitomo, New Zealand

Denize Bluffs, located in New Zealand’s Mangaotaki Valley, is another real-world counterpart to Middle-earth. Featured as the Trollshaws in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, this area also appeared as the highland home of the Harfoots in The Rings of Power. Visitors can explore the filming locations through Hairy Feet Waitomo tours, run by the farm’s owners who proudly share the movie magic tied to their land.

4. St Edward’s Church: Gloucestershire, England

St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold has long been rumoured to have inspired the Doors of Durin from Tolkien’s Dwarf city of Khazad-dûm. The church’s ancient yew trees, framing its north door, bear an uncanny resemblance to the mythical entrance depicted in Tolkien’s artwork. The iconic doorway has become a beloved pilgrimage spot for fans of the series.

5. Teide National Park: Tenerife, Spain

In The Rings of Power, the haunting landscapes of the realm of Rhûn were filmed in Teide National Park on the Spanish island of Tenerife. Known for its barren, volcanic deserts and gnarled, skeletal trees, Teide’s eerie, moon-like terrain was the perfect backdrop for this mysterious and corrupt region of Middle-earth. The area is steeped in local mythology, with Indigenous Guanche people historically viewing it as a gateway to the underworld.

6. Fiordland: South Island, New Zealand

The entirety of The Lord of the Rings film series was famously shot in New Zealand, with Fiordland National Park serving as the setting for some of Middle-earth’s wildest regions. Fiordland’s lush, unspoiled forests were used to depict Fangorn Forest, home of the Ents, and its Waiau River doubled as Tolkien’s River Anduin, featured in the opening aerial shots of The Fellowship of the Ring. The region’s dramatic fjords and mountains encapsulate the rugged beauty of Tolkien’s world.

Analysis

This tour of real-world Middle-earth locations offers a glimpse into the landscapes that influenced J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless works and the cinematic adaptations that followed. These places not only provide stunning backdrops but also allow fans to connect deeply with the fantasy world that has enthralled readers and viewers for decades. By exploring these Tolkien Real-Life Middle-earth sites, fans can truly immerse themselves in the enchanting landscapes that inspired the beloved stories.