When imagining Middle Earth – the fantasy world of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings – many probably think of snow-capped mountains, rolling countryside, and dense forests. Few think of Birmingham. But the city’s clashing industrial past and idyllic green spaces played a huge influence on the three-book epic – particularly Moseley Bog.
Tolkien’s childhood home at 264 Wake Green Road is only a short walk from the nature reserve. He was inspired by the ancient woodland to create The Old Forest, which we first encounter in The Fellowship of the Ring. Described in the book as dark and tangled, the hobbits are fearful of travelling through the Old Forest, believing it to be “awake”, and are even trapped by Old Man Willow before being rescued by the whimsical Tom Bombadil.
Reading these early chapters is an insight into a young Tolkien’s impressions of Moseley Bog – creepy, terrifying, magical. But the nature reserve is a beautiful place to visit, which he would later describe as a “kind of lost paradise”. You’ll quickly feel its inspiration flowing through you too, as you amble by gnarled old trees and dense vegetation.
What is there to do at Moseley Bog?
You won’t find many activities, but Moseley Bog is great if you just fancy exploring for a few hours. Made up of both wet and dry woodland, with patches of fen growing on the site of an old millpond, the nature reserve supports a huge range of flora and fauna. There are many routes to follow, with entrances off Yardley Wood Road, Pensby Close, and across the field from Windermere Road.
Joy’s Wood, the younger part of the nature reserve, used to be where huge amounts of waste were dumped, but has been transformed in recent years into a grassland haven. The area is also home to two burnt mounds, which date back to the Bronze Age, that are designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Visiting Moseley Bog is magical any time of year, but visit in the spring to see bluebells fill the woodland floor, adding a pop of colour to the scenery.
What other Birmingham locations inspired Lord of the Rings?
JRR Tolkien is well-known for drawing inspiration from real-world landmarks. So it makes sense many of these would be in Birmingham. Just the other side of his childhood home from Moseley Bog is the well-known Sarehole Mill, which inspired The Old Mill in The Hobbit – which was the original meeting point for Bilbo and the dwarves before it was changed to The Green Dragon before printing. It still has that ‘Hobbiton feel’, however, and hosts plenty of Tolkien-related activities to nerd out on.
Deeper into the city, you’ll find two towers – yes, those Two Towers – which were also a huge influence on the novels. Edgbaston Waterworks Tower and Perrot’s Folly are said to have been the inspiration behind Minas Morgul and Orthanc. Check out this Tolkien Tour of Birmingham to learn more.