MAP OF THE SHIRE Cutting Board

Tolkien based the Shire's layout on the English countryside, specifically the rural areas around his childhood home in Sarehole, near Birmingham. The Shire's detailed map reflects Tolkien's fondness for the pastoral landscapes of England, with its rolling hills, quaint villages, and agricultural fields. This connection to real-world geography gave the Shire an authentic, lived-in feel, grounding his fantasy world in familiar and beloved scenery. Additionally, Tolkien included subtle in-jokes and references to his friends and personal experiences within the place names and features of the Shire.