Have you always dreamed of being a friendly, chubby hobbit daydreaming in the Shire? A fearsome orc haunting the Misty Mountains? Or a majestic elf peacefully inhabiting the Undying Lands? No need to rush off to New Zealand —the filming location for Peter Jackson’s movies—to immerse yourself in the magical world of The Lord of the Rings.
Less than two hours’ drive from Brussels, in the Netherlands, there is a small town known for its neighborhood with streets named after J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. In Geldrop, you can live on Aragorn Street and shop on Arwen Street. So put on your elven cloak, and let us take you on a journey of discovery to this unusual getaway, just a stone’s throw from the Belgian capital.
How did this “Lord of the Rings” neighborhood in Geldrop, Netherlands, come about?
To quote Pippin, if one day your heart desires a “mission! … quest! … thing?”, or simply an adventure, head to the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands, where you will find Geldrop. It is in this town of less than 28,000 inhabitants that you will find a neighborhood unlike any other. Here, there are no streets bearing the usual (and boring?) names of politicians and artists. Far from it. Legolas, Gimli, Galadriel… these are the names chosen to baptize streets, avenues, and alleys.
But why such a choice? The simplest explanation is often the best. The town of Geldrop already has neighborhoods named after famous explorers (Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus…) and tree species. When it came to naming the streets in a new neighborhood, the person in charge of toponymy—a fan of The Lord of the Rings —came up with this crazy idea. And it worked! The idea caught on, and that’s how the residents of Geldrop ended up with street names that are unique in the world.
Heading to Geldrop: the route from Brussels to Middle-earth
Leaving the Belgian capital to reach Geldrop is child’s play. No need to form a community of elves, hobbits, and Half-men to get there. There are several options available to you for this unusual getaway.
- By car: this is the most direct route to this small town in the Netherlands. First, take the E19 towards Antwerp. Then continue on the E34 and A67 towards Eindhoven. Geldrop is located just outside this Dutch metropolis. Depending on where you’re coming from, the drive takes about an hour and a half. This option allows you to explore the area at your own pace and embark on your own quest.
- By train: The rail network is an excellent eco-friendly alternative to driving. There are regular connections between Brussels-Midi and Eindhoven Centraal station. The journey takes around two hours with a quick connection. Once there, a local train will take you to Geldrop in six minutes. It’s a relaxing and very efficient solution! Be sure to check train departure times and ticket prices.
Even closer to home: “Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings” in Brussels
On February 27 and April 4, the sounds of Middle-earth will resound within the Concert Noble.
The biggest fans among us will thrill when they recognize the notes of Amon Hen, the Riders of Rohan, and Minas Tirith. The most beautiful tunes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy will be performed by a string quartet officially approved by Howard Shore, the composer of the film soundtracks himself!
And for those who are not yet familiar with the Candlelight concert concept, you can enjoy this exceptional musical evening surrounded by thousands of candles. Can you hear them too, the drums of Moria?