20 travel destinations inspired by Lord of the Rings

Harcourt Park – Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Harcourt Park is another must-see location for The Lord of the Rings fans who love spending time in nature, as it has plenty of scenic gardens and forest areas to wander through. The botanical area is well known for its greenery, and it offers something to look at for everyone, regardless of age or interests.

Given the beauty of Harcourt Park, it might be difficult to believe that it once served as the backdrop for Isengard in The Lord of the Rings films. During the trilogy, Isengard is under the control of Saruman, who uses the fortress to breed orcs and Uruk-hai for Sauron’s cause. Thankfully, with the help of the Ents, Merry and Pippin eventually reclaim Isengard—though the place doesn’t look much more attractive when they do.

Of course, the background Harcourt Park provided was mostly gardens. Fans won’t find Orthanc, Isengard’s notoriously impenetrable tower, anywhere on the grounds, nor will they see much in the way of set replicas. The Gardens of Isengard are what’s left of the filming spot, and fans may need to squint to find the resemblance.

Still, Harcourt Park is definitely worth a look around, even if it’s just to admire the vegetation. And for those traveling with friends or family members, there are a number of recreational activities on the grounds. The park has everything from a golf course to football fields to a paddling pool. There’s even a stage area for live entertainment, which is a necessity for any good vacation.