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Alberta to get its own version of The Shire called The Burrows

By Ian Goodwillie

DOKSY, CZECH REPUBLIC - JUNE 06: A participant dressed as orc, character from "The Hobbit" book by J. R. R. Tolkien arrives for the reenactment of the "Battle of Five Armies" in a forest on June 6, 2015 near Doksy village, Czech Republic. Hundreds of Czech enthusiasts re-enacted the battle of men, elves and dwarves against goblins and wargs. An English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien published "The Hobbit" for the first time in 1937. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)
DOKSY, CZECH REPUBLIC - JUNE 06: A participant dressed as orc, character from "The Hobbit" book by J. R. R. Tolkien arrives for the reenactment of the "Battle of Five Armies" in a forest on June 6, 2015 near Doksy village, Czech Republic. Hundreds of Czech enthusiasts re-enacted the battle of men, elves and dwarves against goblins and wargs. An English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien published "The Hobbit" for the first time in 1937. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) /
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The Lord of the Rings remains one of the most popular franchises in the history of… Well, pretty much all media. And that has extended into The Shire-themed spots for people to stay in different parts of the world. Soon, Alberta will be in the game with The Burrows.

A replica of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbiton, this new resort concept is set to open soon, in summer or early fall. But if you’re a fan who would be inclined to have an experience like this one, it’s probably best if you start planning as soon as possible.

Good Knights Medieval Encampment

Located northeast of Calgary, Alberta, Good Knights Medieval Encampment has been serving up a unique experience for more than a decade. It started off as an annual feast and camping event that grew into something more permanent.

Burrows
DUDUTKI, BELARUS – JULY 24: Participants wearing replica of medieval armour and traditional clothes during the annual international festival of medieval Culture and Music “Our Grunwald” dedicated to military and secular culture, the traditions of the Belarusian ancestors, held on the territory of the Museum of ancient crafts and technologies in the village of Dudutki, some 35 km away from Minsk, on July 24, 2021. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

In 2017, a medieval encampment was established that offers a surprising variety of experiences for people who stay. As odd as this is going to sound, this is actually as close as you’re going to find to medieval glamping.

There are various activities included in a stay here, such as siege machine demos, sword classes, and long-bow archery training. Additionally, there are various craft workshops as well as a full-on knights school. Some of this is an extra cost, of course.

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It’s also worth noting that the Good Knights Medieval Encampment is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Drumheller. This is, of course, home to one of the greatest dinosaur museums in the world, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

Building The Burrows

If you’re going to build an experience like The Burrows somewhere, Good Knights Medieval Encampment would actually be the most logical place. It’s a superb combination that will definitely appeal to the right group of people.

The tag line for The Burrows is, “cozy underground accommodations.” That line is actually kind of intriguing, assuming that sleeping underground doesn’t hit any issues for you. If it does, Good Knights does have other accommodations to choose from.

Each Burrow will be set up for two adults and two kids. The design and decorations will be in line with what people know from the films. Layouts include a bedroom, hall, bathroom, and sitting room as well as a private outdoor garden for each burrow.

To complete the vibe, patrons will be supplied with appropriate clothing and costumes. Breakfasts are even provided, which includes first, second, and Elevensies. It’s the kind of food situation that would make Merry and Pippin proud.

An interesting experience

While Good Knights Medieval Encampment already has some marvelous places to stay, The Burrows will be a perfect fit for it. Given what this draw already offers, staying in a Hobbit’s house while enjoying it just seems like an outstanding idea.

Burrows
MATAMATA, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 04: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tours Hobbiton on October 4, 2018 in Matamata, New Zealand. The Prime Minister has announced funding to support the Matamata-Piako District develop opportunities in tourism and infrastructure with an initial investment of up to $1.7 million from the Provincial Growth Fund. The visit comes following the Prime Minister’s appearance on US TV Show the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where Jacinda Ardern revealed she had auditioned for a role in The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings films. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images,) /

It’s important to note that The Burrows is not open for business as of the point this was written. Good Knights are targeting an opening date in the summer of 2021, though fall has also been mentioned. And at the moment, they only have one unit currently in development.

You can’t book it, yet, mainly because they don’t know exactly when it will be open. But when it is available to book, definitely consider it. If the first rentable Hobbit-house in The Burrows does well, one has to imagine more will follow.

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The entire package of staying in The Burrows and experiencing Good Knights Medieval Encampment is intriguing, to say the least. Add in the fact that Calgary, Drumheller, and the Rocky Mountains are all within driving distance, and you have one heck of a vacation on the go.

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