• Swinbrook - A charming village in the Cotswolds, surrounded by picturesque hills reminiscent of the Shire.
• Stow-on-the-Wold - A classic Cotswolds market town, rich in historical charm. Here, discover the intriguing ‘Hobbit Door’ — a hidden treasure believed to have inspired Tolkien’s concept of the Doors of Durin, the secret western entrance to Moria.
• Snowshill - Enjoy a scenic drive through the Cotswold Hills, thought to be the inspiration for ‘The Wold’ - the windy upland plain in the ‘Kingdom of Rohan’.
• Broadway Tower - Stroll through a shadowy, enchanting woodland to Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly that rises dramatically above the Cotswold hills. This remarkable landmark may have inspired Tolkien’s vision of Amon Hen, the ‘Seat of Seeing’. With panoramic views in every direction, it’s easy to see how such a place could have sparked his imagination.
• Moreton-in-Marsh - At the heart of Moreton-in-Marsh, a traditional Cotswold market town with a history dating back to the Saxons, stands the historic Bell Inn. Once a lively coaching inn on the old London–Worcester road, it was here that Tolkien often met with his brother. Many believe this inviting inn inspired the Prancing Pony, the renowned inn at Bree in Middle-earth. Step inside for a drink at Tolkien’s old haunt and discover a vast map of Middle-earth celebrating its literary connection. Beyond the inn itself, Moreton closely resembles Bree: Tolkien described the village as having ‘some hundred stone houses of the Big Folk’ — a description that perfectly matches Moreton’s stone-built cottages clustered around its broad market square.
• Great Wolford - Along a leafy country lane stands the Four Shire Stone, an 18th-century marker that once marked the meeting point of four counties — Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. For centuries, it served as a waymarker for travelers passing through the Cotswolds. Many Lord of the Rings fans believe it inspired the Three-Farthings Stone in the Shire — the symbolic center of hobbit country. In Tolkien’s tale, it is here that Samwise Gamgee scatters the dust of Lothlórien, Galadriel’s gift, to restore a Shire left scarred by Sharkey and his men. Standing beside this weathered stone, it’s easy to imagine Tolkien blending real English landmarks with the deep history and myth that shaped Middle-earth.
• Rollright Stones - This enigmatic collection of prehistoric monuments is believed to have inspired Tolkien’s eerie Barrow-downs, the haunted resting place of the Dúnedain. As you wander among the ancient, weather-worn stones, it’s easy to imagine Barrow-wights stirring in the shadows. In Tolkien’s words, “stone rings grinned out of the ground like broken teeth in the moonlight.” This haunting image perfectly fits the Rollright Stones.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• On-board WiFi
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Tea and coffee
• Meals

In England, there are locations that exude an ancient, vibrant, and subtly enchanting aura, where history seems to predate memory. The Cotswolds is one such place. With its rolling hills, golden stone villages, winding lanes, and ancient doors, it feels like stepping into another era.

J.R.R. Tolkien was well-acquainted with this countryside. He strolled its paths, enjoyed its inns, and explored its hills. Many believe these landscapes inspired the Shire, Bree, and the more enigmatic parts of his fictional world. Now, visitors can trace his footsteps!

Explore the “Hobbit Door,” reminiscent of the hidden Doors of Durin.
A folly that brings to mind Amon Hen, the Seat of Seeing.
The historic Bell Inn, thought to be the inspiration for Bree’s Prancing Pony.
The Four Shire Stone, believed to have inspired the Three-Farthings Stone in the Shire.
The eerie Rollright Stones, long associated with the Barrow-downs, where Tolkien describes, “stone rings grinned out of the ground like broken teeth in the moonlight.”
Here, that haunting image is vividly brought to life!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.