This past week, I finally got the chance to experience Hobbiton, set on the Alexander sheep farm in Matamata. With two hobbit holes on Bagshot Row being opened to visitors in December 2023, we jumped at the chance to tag a movie set tour onto our conference getaway to the same location.
We booked the last tour of the day due to an ambitious drive from the lower North Island through roadworks on the same day, and made it to Hobbiton for check in at 2pm. This gave us a chance to have a quick bite to eat at the cafe (half price pies at that hour!) and wander through the gift store before boarding the bus that takes you through the farm gates.
Although we were gutted that the Evening Banquet Tour was not available on the day (Thursday) that we visited, setting off on the last tour of the day at 2.40pm meant that we had The Green Dragon Inn to our small tour group of 11, and got to see the rolling hills of Hobbiton during the magical golden hour glow.
It was definitely a bit nippy in the shadows with winter just around the corner, so being able to enter the hobbit holes was such a cozy experience, a roaring fireplace adding to the warmth and ambience!
The 2.5 hour guided tour allows plenty of photo opportunities as you wander the 44 Hobbit Holes. It finishes at The Green Dragon Inn over the double arched stone bridge, where an included ale, cider or ginger beer awaits you.
A hot toddy or mulled wine would have been the cherry on top on that cold evening!
The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour is a unique and magical experience, with each group being kept small to allow for uninterrupted exploration and photo-ops. We stayed at a beautiful and modern BnB in Matamata which I highly recommend, complete with a fresh baked loaf of bread the next morning. Matamata is also a 1-2 hour drive from many main cities and towns such as Rotorua, Taupo, Hamilton and Auckland, for those who want to venture in on a day trip.