Although not set to be released for another year, Tolkien fans have this week been treated to a glimpse of the much anticipated film The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey with the release of an online trailer. As with the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings Trilogy the films (due to the length of the book it is to be split into two films) are being made in New Zealand and will once again showcase the stunning and diverse scenery found there.

The area of Paradise which lies on the eastern side of the Dart River near Queenstown was used as a location for Lothlorien in the Lord of the Rings and anyone who has done the Dart River Jet Boat Safari in the last couple of months (which includes me) will have had a sneak peek at Beorn the Giants house which is the current site of filming. I say a sneak peek as the large numbers of burly security guards surrounding the site weren’t that accommodating.

A small piece of land near Matamata in the North Island will also again come to life as Hobbiton for the new films. The site has been a popular tourist attraction with fans since the first films with guided tours being offered around the set. Filming is set to finish in March and the UK is well represented in the cast list again with Martin Freeman playing Bilbo Baggins and joining the familiar figures of Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Orlando Bloom (Legolas).

At Bridge and Wickers we are confident that the New Zealand landscape which will create the stunning backdrop to the films will make the country top of your holiday wishlist.