Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

The Challenge

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours, home of the iconic movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, came to Terabyte in need of a modern, user-friendly website that would reflect the charm and magic of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. The goal was to bring the essence of this world-renowned destination into the digital realm. With their second engagement with us, after a successful collaboration in 2016, Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours sought not only to revamp the visual design of their site but to improve the overall user experience and integrate new technologies to meet the expectations of today’s digital audience.

In addition to a new look, they wanted the ability to easily update content, facilitate bookings with improved functionality, and ensure the website could grow with future digital expansions, such as an online store or mobile apps. The challenge was to deliver a seamless, immersive online experience that matched the magic visitors feel when they step onto the actual movie set.

The Solution

Our team approached the project by focusing on enhancing the UX and introducing modern and engaging elements. Leveraging insights from analytics, we ensured that every design choice was informed by real data, optimising the site for both functionality and usability. The following solutions were implemented:

Micro-interactions and Motion Design: We introduced subtle animations and transitions to key parts of the digital journey, adding an extra layer of interactivity that brings the site's content to life, echoing the charm of the movie set.
High-Resolution Imagery & Video: To fully capture the beauty of Hobbiton, we utilised high-quality images and video that immerse visitors into the landscape, showcasing the destination in its full glory.
Cohesive Visual Design: We crafted a consistent and visually engaging design language for the website, ensuring that it could also be leveraged across other digital platforms in the future, such as an e-commerce store or mobile applications.
Customisable Page Layouts: To give the site flexibility, we introduced customisable page layouts with multiple display options, including single and two-column text formatting, ensuring future content needs could be met easily.
Content Management System (CMS) Optimisation: The existing CMS was reviewed, and we introduced enhancements using the latest version of Umbraco offering ease of content editing experience, scalability, security, flexibility, and long-term sustainability.
CustomLinc Integration: As a critical component for bookings, the CustomLinc integration was refined to provide a more seamless and efficient booking process, improving the overall UX for both customers and Hobbiton’s internal team.
SEO: The site was built with search engine optimisation in mind, with editable metadata across all pages to ensure Hobbiton Tours remains highly discoverable online.
Resource Section: A dedicated resource section was created to allow agents and media to easily download and share images and files, streamlining their marketing and media efforts.

The Results

The new Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours website has transformed the digital presence of the iconic movie set, reflecting the magical experience of visiting in person.

Increased Engagement: The combination of rich media and immersive design has resulted in increased time spent on the site, as users are captivated by the interactive elements and storytelling.
Enhanced Booking Experience: The improved integration of the CustomLinc system has led to smoother, more intuitive bookings, reducing the friction for users planning their visit.
Positive Feedback: Both users and stakeholders have praised the website for its visual appeal, ease of use, and the seamless navigation that enhances the overall user journey.
Future-Proofed Platform: With scalable design elements, an optimised CMS, and future-ready technology, the site is well-positioned to accommodate any future expansions in Hobbiton’s digital offerings, ensuring a long-lasting, adaptable online presence.

This project has allowed Hobbiton to maintain its global reputation as a must-see destination while offering visitors an enchanting digital experience, echoing the magic they’ll find when they step into Middle-Earth.