Known to New Zealand and the world as a tourism experience offering guided tours of the filming location as seen in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, Hobbiton Movie Set is also known in the events sector for its Middle-earth™ themed events and celebrations.
The attraction often plays host to private functions, corporate group events and conferences for those from within and those visiting the Waikato region. Hobbiton offers an impressive and diverse range of fully-themed venues of different sizes, all located in a world-famous setting and delivering a unique event experience.
Adding to the existing offer, a new venue will be opening in September which is ideal for smaller groups looking for a private dining space with an intimate setting.
The Millhouse is known in the famed books and films as the Old Mill, run by the Sandyman family of hobbits. Its exterior façade featured prominently in the films, situated at the other end of the double arch stone bridge from The Green Dragon Inn.
Up until recently, The Millhouse was just that – a façade, with the exterior of the building themed to fit the surroundings, but unlike its illustrious neighbour, with nothing inside. In 2015, the Hobbiton Movie Set management set about transforming the shell into what it is today – a premium venue for private dining experiences, small weddings and corporate meetings.
Art Director for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and Project Manager for Hobbiton Movie Set, Brian Massey, said it was a great challenge to transform the façade from the film set into a fully themed functional space for the tourism business.
“A plan was made to build out an interior of the Mill, for it to be both a practical venue to fit the purpose, and fit the theming of a converted mill building. We utilised weathered hardwood for the ceiling beams, stairs and accents for an aged look, and the walls have a dusty white patina, as would be fitting for a building that has been a flour mill for centuries.”
The construction and fit out of The Millhouse was a major project for the tourism attraction during a period of growth off the back of The Green Dragon Inn opening in 2012. Visitors who joined a tour in 2015 would have noticed the extensive work that the project required including draining the iconic lake that lies at the doorstep of The Green Dragon Inn. Today, while the outside of the building looks the same as before the fit out, what lies inside is an entirely new themed interior which reflects the Hobbiton theme.
Hobbiton Movie Set CEO Russell Alexander said: “Introducing The Millhouse has been a long time in the making and we’re so excited to now be able to launch this beautifully crafted venue to the business events market to complement our suite of event spaces available for hire.”
The Millhouse offers the same warm, rustic and inviting atmosphere of The Green Dragon, but in a more intimate setting ideal for private dining experiences, small wedding receptions and corporate meetings for up to 32 guests.
The exposed wooden beam ceilings, a crackling fire place and curated decor set the scene, while the cleverly hidden AV technology, full commercial kitchen and bathroom facilities complete the function of the space as a self-contained, multi-use venue available for hire.
The Millhouse joins The Green Dragon, the Party Marquee and the Marketplace as facilities available for hire on the Movie Set outside of the core tourism experience.
Hobbiton Movie Set plans to develop new tour experiences in the coming months to share The Millhouse with visitors.