If you would like to go on your own quest or see a real-life Hobbit hole, the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is the place to be! The West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is one of the great archaeological sites in England. It is a recreation of an original Anglo-Saxon village on its original site where many archaeological finds have been found, such as the first humans, Vikings, and gems.
Tolkien was a Professor of Anglo-Saxon origins at Oxford University, and has said in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings that the name “Hobbit” comes from “hol-bytla” which means hole-builder. Because of Tolkien’s connection to Anglo-Saxon, the staff of this village say that West Stow is the perfect place to build a Hobbit hole.
The Hobbit hole is based off of Farmer Cotton’s (Rosie’s father) home in The Lord of the Rings; it took the village’s staff 20 days over three months to complete. They used traditional woodworking techniques and timbers that have been recycled from other projects on the site. It’s the first Hobbit hole available for public display in the UK!
Though fans aren’t able to actually go inside, they are able to take photos from the outside. Alan Baxter, the village’s Heritage Manager and Tolkien Society member says, “Like the film set, sadly fans cannot pop inside the Hobbit hole for a look around but as ‘big people’, as the Hobbits call us, we would only end up with a headache from banging our heads on the low ceiling as Gandalf himself did on the ceiling at Bag End in Lord of the Rings.”
The Hobbit hole will be on display from February 16th through the 24th during the village’s Ring Quest event and “is available if groups of enthusiasts want to arrange special evening options and talks so that they can have the site opened specially,” Baxter adds.
On the 21st of February, West Stow will have another Tolkien-themed event entitled, “The Real Middle Earth”, which will be given by Alan Baxter. Baxter, who had the chance to visit the New Zealand sites, says, “It covers the Anglo-Saxon influences and also the childhood influences in the Midlands but is mainly about the film locations in New Zealand for The Hobbit and LOTR trilogy.” The lecture is going to be held at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St. Edmunds and will include videos and photos of UK and NZ sites. Booking is essential so if you plan to attend be sure to plan ahead!
Along with the Tolkien events, people are able to go on a Middle-earth tour in the Village with Halbarad the Ranger to find out more about the connections between the Anglo-Saxons and Tolkien. Other Tolkien-themed activities include: LOTR archery, displays of replicas, dressing up, quizzes and so much more! You can also visit the heritage shop which has a Ring Quest section that sells badges, books, postcards and other LOTR related items.
So if you’re near the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village this month, don’t forget to look at their Tolkien-themed events and go buy tickets! The Ring Quest will also return back in the summer during July 27-28.
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