You’ll recall that in late March we brought you the news that Burgschneider and Middle-earth Enterprises’ – combining to create Middle-earth Adventures – immersive Shire experience will come to the UK this year. Tickets are on sale now!
Last year’s inaugural event in Kentucky was attended by TORn staffers Madeye Gamgee and Happy Hobbit Kili, who had a fantastic time. The US Brandywine Festival will again take place in October (and tickets for that event are already getting close to selling out). The UK version will be September 9-13, and will be held at Weston Park in Staffordshire.
Temple Wood at Weston Park
Weston Park – an ideal location
Markus Böhm, CEO of Burgschneider, remarked, ‘At Weston Park, we are stepping into a landscape that echoes the very soul of Tolkien’s work.’ A large part of Tolkien’s childhood was spent in the Birmingham area, perhaps most famously in Sarehole (which was then Worcestershire countryside, not yet swallowed up by the expanding city). Telford, near which the 17th century estate of Weston Park is located, is not far away, on the other side of Birmingham – offering scenery which is similar to the bucolic terrain Tolkien loved as a child.
Tiered price ticket sales
The first 400 tickets for the British event will be sold at the lowest price. Each subsequent batch of 400 tickets released will go up in price; so it’s a good idea to secure your ticket as early as possible!
Magic by the campfire in Kentucky
Middle-earth Adventures state that their goal is ‘To create the world’s most meaningful Middle-earth inspired experiences — events that don’t just entertain, but genuinely transform the people who attend them.’
Want to disappear into the English countryside for a while, don the guise of a Hobbit, and revel with like-minded folks? Get your tickets now, before the price increases!
About Burgschneider
Burgschneider is a leading designer and manufacturer of medieval and fantasy costumes, known for its dedication to authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. As the organizer of ConQuest of Mythodea—the world’s largest live action roleplaying (LARP) event—Burgschneider brings extensive expertise in creating and coordinating immersive experiences. From historical reenactments to large-scale LARP events, Burgschneider costumes empower enthusiasts to fully step into their favorite historical and fictional worlds.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandise, live stage and services inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have produced and licensed goods based upon these four books, for a half century. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those developing highest quality creations inspired by the lore, in accordance with state-of-the-art green business and sustainability practices; including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a deep commitment to protect our Earth, its wondrous beauty, and the viability of every living creature. As Middle-earth’s stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in both new and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP & brand, forever. Visit us at www.middleearth.com for details.
Following on from their immersive Middle-earth experience created in Kentucky last year, our good friends at Burgschneider have given us the opportunity to break this exciting news: the Brandywine Festival will come to the UK this Autumn!
Burgschneider’s LARP events are known for their incredible attention to detail, allowing attendees to get as close as possible to spending a long weekend living in the Shire. (You can read how much TORn staffer Kili aka Happy Hobbit enjoyed attending, here.) And where better to place the Shire than the very land of Shires, England? Here’s what the official press release tells us:
Concept art for the festival
Bringing The Shire Home: Burgschneider Announces The Brandywine Festival’s UK Debut at Weston Park in 2026
FRANKFURT AM MAIN – Coming to the doorstep of Tolkien’s childhood home, The Brandywine Festival is officially arriving in the United Kingdom. Following a successful U.S. debut, Burgschneider, in collaboration with Middle-earth Enterprises, is excited to bring The Shire to life once more at Staffordshire’s Weston Park in September 2026.
The expansion follows the success of the first annual Brandywine Festival in October 2025. Held in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, the 5-day, 4-night Live Action Roleplaying (LARP) event drew fans from across the country. Now, the festival will be within an hour’s drive of Birmingham, J.R.R. Tolkien’s childhood home and the very landscapes that inspired its setting.
“We are incredibly honored to bring The Brandywine Festival back to the land where the story took flight,” said Markus Böhm, CEO of Burgschneider. “After the success in Kentucky, it felt only right to bring this experience home. At Weston Park, we are stepping into a landscape that echoes the very soul of Tolkien’s work.”
An Historic Setting
Temple Wood at Weston Park
Weston Park is a 17th-century estate featuring 1,000 acres of rolling parkland. Known for hosting world-class events, the Weston Park team has shown great enthusiasm for the project, providing an authentic backdrop for fans to live out their own Hobbit-themed adventures. Guests will be fully immersed in the experience.
Weston Park is a stately home and estate on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. Owned by the Weston Park Foundation, an independent charitable trust, the estate is dedicated to preserving its 17th-century heritage and world-class art collection for the public. A premier venue for large-scale events, Weston Park balances historic grandeur with a commitment to ethical and sustainable tourism.
If spending time in the English countryside, eating, drinking and being the Hobbit of your choice sounds like a dream come true, then stay tuned – we’ll bring you news of when tickets will be going on sale, very soon.
About Burgschneider
Burgschneider is a leading designer and manufacturer of medieval and fantasy costumes, known for its dedication to authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. As the organizer of ConQuest of Mythodea—the world’s largest live action roleplaying (LARP) event—Burgschneider brings extensive expertise in creating and coordinating immersive experiences. From historical reenactments to large-scale LARP events, Burgschneider costumes empower enthusiasts to fully step into their favorite historical and fictional worlds.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandise, live stage and services inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have produced and licensed goods based upon these four books, for a half century. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those developing highest quality creations inspired by the lore, in accordance with state-of-the-art green business and sustainability practices; including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a deep commitment to protect our Earth, its wondrous beauty, and the viability of every living creature. As Middle-earth’s stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in both new and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP & brand, forever. Visit us at www.middleearth.com for details.
We’ve heard a rumour – whispers on the wind… And now we’re excited that our good friends at Syzygy Forge have given us the thumbs up to share this news with you: they are making collectibles for Tolkien fans!
Thus far, the folks at Syzygy Forge have been known in Middle-earth fandom for their whiskey – their Green Dragon wheated whiskey comes in a beautiful bottle (seen above). As licensees of Middle-earth Enterprises, however, they’ve just today announced that they have been given the green light to make other high end collectibles.
What these treasures will be remains to be seen; their teaser trailer is giving very little away. Here’s what their press release tells us:
Syzygy Forge Announces Licensing Partnership with Middle-earth EnterprisesTM to Craft High-End Collectible
Knoxville, October 30th, 2025
Syzygy Forge is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Middle-earth Enterprises, the holders of worldwide rights to The HobbitTM and The Lord of the RingsTM literary works by J.R.R. Tolkien. Known for creating high-quality, handcrafted collectibles, Syzygy Forge will bring to life an exclusive line of pieces inspired by Tolkien’s timeless tales.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone for fans and collectors, uniting Syzygy Forge’s craftsmanship with the timeless world of Middle-earth. The collection will feature limited-edition statues of iconic characters and faithful reproductions of legendary swords, shields, and armor. Each piece will be crafted with extraordinary attention to detail.
In addition to their core collection, Syzygy will collaborate with acclaimed Tolkien artist John Howe on a dedicated line of collectibles based exclusively on his original illustrations. This series will celebrate Howe’s influential visual legacy, offering collectors an unprecedented opportunity to own sculptural interpretations drawn directly from his vision of Middle-earth.
“Bringing Tolkien’s universe to life in a tangible, meaningful way is both an honor and a responsibility we embrace with great passion,” said Jordan Costner, Founder & Creative Director at Syzygy Forge. “These collectibles will be more than just display pieces, they will be heirlooms forged with the same reverence that Tolkien poured into his work.”
The first wave of releases, slated to be revealed in 2026, will be officially licensed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Collectors can sign up for early access and exclusive reveals at www.syzygyforge.com.
About Syzygy Forge
Syzygy Forge specializes in high-end collectibles inspired by literature, mythology, and fantasy. Known for blending traditional techniques with modern innovation, their work celebrates the stories that shape imaginations around the world.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of the Embracer Group, holds the exclusive worldwide licensing rights to J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. With a legacy spanning decades, the company has brought Tolkien’s world to life across film, stage, video games, collectibles, and consumer products through partnerships with leading studios and creative teams, including New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Discovery. Today, Middle-earth Enterprises continues to steward and expand these iconic stories for fans around the globe.
It’s Thursday, and already the Marriott hotel in downtown Atlanta is pulsing with music, crowds and excitement. DragonCon is upon us! And staffers from TORn are looking forward to connecting with our fellow fans.
We’ll be at our ‘fan table’ in our usual spot (Hyatt Exhibition Level, opposite the entrance to the Art Show). We have some awesome new buttons for sale, as well as this year’s shirt designs – the Prancing Pony Club:
And Bilbo from the Rankin/Bass The Hobbit:
Please come by the table and say hi. As an added bonus – if you come and tell us something Boromir would have done (in the style of Denethor, a la ‘Boromir would have remembered his father’s need…’), we have a special secret prize for you!
Join us in Bree!
Friday night is of course the annual ‘Evening at Bree‘, starting at 8.30pm. We’re in the Grand Ballroom in the Courtland Grand (same venue as last year), and we’ll have the Brobdingnagian Bards and Beth Patterson playing again, as well as a new (to Bree) band this year, the duo Kinnfolk. The Elf Choir will sing for us, and of course we’ll have the costume contest. (If you’d like to enter, please sign up before the event, either at the High Fantasy Track room: Marriott L401, or at our table.)
Panels
There is lots to enjoy for Tolkien fans this year. TORn’s own panel, ‘An Hour with TheOneRing.net’, when staffers deej, Madeye Gamgee and greendragon will be joined by TORn’s good friend Knewbettadobetta, is Saturday 5.30pm in the Hyatt International South. You can also find greendragon on The Rings of Power Season 2 panel (Friday 1pm, Marriott A601), and join many excellent Tolkien scholars and friends of TORn for ‘Harmony and Dissonance: Creation in Tolkien’s Mythos’ (Sunday 1pm, Marriott L401). For those who stay right through the end of the con, come and Scour the Shire with us at 11.30am on Monday, Marriott L401.
Dance Party
The High Fantasy Track’s ‘Goblin Ball’ goes 90s this year – and our own deej will be DJing once again! Put on your plaid shirt and DMs, apply some frosty lipstick, and come and party 1990s style. We’ll be dancing in the Marriott A601 from 10pm on Sunday night.
As if that weren’t enough…
Tolkien lovers abound at DragonCon this year! Artist Donato Giancola is well-known to fans of Middle-earth, and he’s this year’s Guest of Honour in the Art Show – so be sure to stop by and visit him there. Another featured guest is singer, songwriter, actor and well-known Tolkien fan Jason Charles Miller, who will be performing and appearing in a couple of panels.
We have one more trip around San Diego Comic-Con 2025 for you. In this episode of the Collecting The Precious Podcast Jim and I, along with very special guest Matt from Nerd of the Rings, talk about the fun that was SDCC 2025. We cover how cool it was, and that despite there wasn’t a film or show coming out this year, that there was awesome stuff to be seen from Weta Workshop, Vanderstelt Studio, Middle-earth Enterprises, and Cliff Cramp Illustrations. That’s not to mention how freaking awesome our booth was.
Middle-earth came to San Diego Comic-con once again this year.
Jed Brophy meets the Nazgûl and Eowyn
TheOneRing.net booth was a hub of activity. Guests included actor Jed Brophy who was Nori in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies, as well he played multiple characters in The Lord of the Rings and The Rings of Power. He regaled us with many fascinating and funny tales about his on-set experiences as he signed autographs. Graham McTavish, Dwalin in The Hobbit movies, stopped by for a visit and a chat, as did multiple Oscar winner Sir Richard Taylor of WETA Workshop. Nerd of the Rings, also shared the booth along with some lore with all who were curious. A variety of Middle-earth cosplayers dropped by, displaying incredible talent and hard work.
Graham McTavish & Jed Brophy
Cliff Broadway, Sir Richard Taylor, Jed BrophyDavid Baxter, Jed Brophy, Kellie Rice
TORN created several new T-shirts for the event: Bilbo from The Hobbit animated film smoking a pipe – the first official merchandise from that movie; “The Prancing Pony Club”, featuring a pink pony with a glittery silver mane and tail designed by TORN’s Green Dragon, and The Happy Hobbit’s “Seasons of the Shire”. In addition there were coins from The Shire Post, lovely fabric products from Oscha Slings, and stained glass window clings from Geek Orthodox Art.
