The story begins just outside of Birmingham, England, in a little village called Sarehole, home to a young man named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. The English author spent several of his early years living in this area near the latitude 52.4822694 and longitude -1.8900078, and it heavily influenced many elements of his most famed works – ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. Some even say that the local folklore and landscape formed the very heart of Middle-Earth. Sarehole is at the center of the Tolkien Trail, taking travelers through locations that heavily shaped Tolkien’s concepts, where one is embraced by the enchanting realm of elves, dwarves, and hobbits. The key spot on this journey is Sarehole Mill, known to fans as the original ‘Great Mill’ in The Shire. The young Tolkien loved this mill, its natural surroundings providing endless inspiration for his legendary works. Interestingly, Sarehole Mill was known for its pair of millers regarded as Tolkien’s real-world inspiration for the terrifying Black Riders. Another noteworthy location is Moseley Bog. Tolkien played here as a child, and it’s believed that this very place inspired the ‘Old Forest’, home to Tom Bombadil and the eerie Withywindle. Stepping into Moseley Bog is described as stepping into a time capsule, seeing nature through the eyes of a young Tolkien. Birmingham’s old, meandering streets and architecture also played a part in forming his vision of Middle-Earth’s cities, such as Minas Tirith. The Tolkien Trail also arrives in Edgbaston, where the two towers of Perrott’s Folly and Edgbaston Waterworks are found, likely inspirations for the Two Towers of Gondor and Orthanc. It’s truly a testament to how brilliantly Tolkien wove his childhood memories into his legendary works, blending reality with the imaginative realm of his mind.