Discover Sarehole Mill, the inspiration for Lord of The Rings
Principally known for its association with JRR Tolkien who used it as his inspiration for the Shire in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Sarehole Mill in Birmingham is one of only two working watermills in the city. Dating back to 1750, Sarehole now sits amidst the Birmingham suburbs yet the hustle and bustle of daily life feels far behind when you stroll along the millpond which is a home for flocks of kingfishers, mallards and herons. Go along and explore this lovely old building – you will see the original main water wheel, mill gears and grinding stones, the bakehouse with original bread oven from the 1850s (which can bake 60 loaves) and a superb Tolkien exhibition. The author spent his childhood in this area which forms part of the Tolkien trail following his childhood footsteps to see what inspired him. The mill produces its own flour and there are bread making exhibitions to boot.
