Funny you should bring up this topic, I was just thinking something similar the other day. I live on Exmoor in the UK and sometimes wonder if Tolkien had visited this area because many of the Shire names are similar. For instance there are several Coombes and Stocks, a Brockhole, and a village called Withiel Florey (OK that name isn't in Tolkien but it sounds elvish). The area is also criss-crossed with small rivers, and there is also heather-clad moorland and forested areas... the only thing we don't have are tall mountains, but then these do not appear in the Shire either. Exmoor is also a land of gently rolling, orderly, well-tended countryside as Tolkien describes the Shire, and dotted with old cottages and farmhouses, although I'm not aware of anyone living in holes!
Also we have lots of barrows (Exmoor is full of history): Aldermans Barrow, Elworthy Barrows, Brightworthy Barrow, Black Barrow... (sounds like names that could appear in Tolkien). I have walked over many barrows and they do not have the sinister feel of the Barrow Downs nor have I seen a barrow wight, which is a shame, it would be great to have a really spooky barrow nearby.
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09-18-2003, 04:22 AM
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