Fernside (Featherston): illustration made with AI, not a photoAI illustration

The Lord of the Rings · Filming location

Fernside (Featherston)

In the story · The Return of the King (opening: the Ring is found); The Fellowship of the Ring (Lothlórien)

The gardens of this old estate appear twice. Its lake is where Sméagol and his cousin Déagol go fishing at the start of The Return of the King: Déagol finds the Ring in the mud, and Sméagol kills him for it and slowly becomes Gollum. The lake and its white bridge also appear in Lothlórien, the golden wood of the elf queen Galadriel.

Where to stay nearby

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More to do here

Things to do

Wellington: all activities on GetYourGuide

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More The Lord of the Rings places nearby

All 28 places of The Lord of the Rings →
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Where to stand for the photo

From the lakeside path, frame the white bridge with its reflection in the water.

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Getting there

  • Address: 1407 State Highway 2, Featherston
Transport
By car, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Wellington over the Remutaka Hill, on State Highway 2 just outside Featherston.
Access
Private estate: you can visit only on a guided garden walk booked ahead on the Fernside website (walks start at 11am; the days change by season). Check before you go.
Public sources (2)

Sources found on October 17, 2026.

Every place checked against public sources

Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides

We always say if it is:

  • The real filming location
  • A place standing in for it
  • Inspired by the story
Every place checked against public sources

Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides

We always say if it is:

  • The real filming location
  • A place standing in for it
  • Inspired by the story
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