From 12 April 2014, a new Tolkien Trail leaflet will be available from Birmingham Welcome Centres and visitor attractions throughout Birmingham, including Sarehole Mill...
a place where JRR and his brother spend many hours investigating, only to be chased off by the miller’s son (whom they called ‘White Ogre’). Later, in the 60’s Tolkien contributed to a public appeal to restore the mill. Nowadays, a blue plaque can be found attached to the mill, honouring JRR Tolkien.
This free trail encourages visitors to the city to explore the parts of the city connected to the Lord of the Rings author, and the special places that inspired his writing.
Not only does the Tolkien trail allow visitors to get to know the life of the author a bit more, it also gives new information on possible inspirations for Middle-earth. For example, it is assumed that Tolkien came across ‘Gamgee tissues’ as the local name for cotton wool which was invented by a Birmingham surgeon, Dr. Joseph Gamgee, whose widow lived opposite Tolkien’s aunt.
