Iconic `Hobbit` shire inn now opens to public

London: The famous shire inn, which was used in filming for the latest Hobbit film, has expanded its visitors from curious Hobbits and opened up to the public.

Tourists and nearby residents can now enjoy a beverage or two at The Green Dragon pub in Hobbiton, near Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. In the Hobbit, the inn was frequented by Hobbits from both Bywater and the neighbouring settlement of Hobbiton. Frodo Baggins regularly visited the inn and shared many a beer with friends in the `Lord of The Rings` trilogy. Throughout the movie and the book, the inn is referred to as a ‘great’ place. The local was used in Peter Jackson’s films 10-years-ago but was burned to the ground as part of the third film Return of The King. However it was rebuilt for the upcoming film series, starting with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, along with 44 ‘Hobbit holes’ to recreate the iconic village in the shire. The inn is the latest addition to the Hobbiton tourist attraction that offers film fanatics the chance to see part of the film set. New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key officially opened the Green Dragon in the village on November 29th last month. The pub offers exclusive drinks on tap including two beers, a cider and ginger beer and features original looking interiors. Hobbiton Board director and former Tourism New Zealand boss George Hickton said that in future it may be possible to convert the facility to allow for overnight stays. ANI