Tolkien’s inspiration for the Shire
The Eastfarthing: probably based on Hurst Green, Lancashire Brandywine River: probably inspired by the River Hodder Buckland: probably based on the Ribble Valley Shirebourn River: probably inspired by the River Ribble Brandy Hall: probably inspired by Hacking Hall, Lancashire The Brandywine Bridge: probably based on Lower Hodder Bridge The Old Mill: inspired by Sarehole Mill, Birmingham The Water: inspired by Sarehole Mill Pond, Birmingham The Old Forest: probably inspired by Moseley Bog, Birmingham Withywindle River: probably inspired by the River Ribble



















