Friday, August 15, 2025

The "Prancing Pony" is a famous inn in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

My son and daughter and my mother and I stayed in some place that had a name like "The Prancing Pony" in Zurich, Switzerland. I had rented a motorhome that was a 6 passenger diesel Fiat in Munich, Germany then in 1999 and had picked up my son and his friend then in Munich in it who were traveling on Eurail passes throughout Europe and I think they both were around 25 years old then and his friend had just gotten his degree in Physics at UCSC. So, they had been traveling about 2 months at this point across Europe and the British Isles. So, since my family on my father's side came from near Zurich Switzerland to Philadelphia around 1725 on a ship from England I stayed a night or two with my family and my son's friend in a place that was "Something and then Pony" there and parked the Motorhome for a few days there while we explored the city more and I'm still trying to remember the name of the place which is how we got to the prancing pony. However, it's also possible that the hotel built in the 1400s might not be a hotel anymore. I can remember looking up at the ceiling beams installed in  the 1400s and thinking how remarkable it was to stay somewhere built in the 1400s. (especially if you are from the U.S. where the oldest European style buildings are likely in Santa Fe, New Mexico built in the 1500s by Spanish Conquistadores from Spain.

Begin quote from Google AI: 

 

The "Prancing Pony" is a famous inn in J.R.R. Tolkien's
The Lord of the Rings, located in the town of Bree. 
While there isn't a real-world inn called "The Prancing Pony" in Zurich, Switzerland, some pubs and bars have a "Lord of the Rings" theme or offer a similar ambiance:
  • Ponyhof Bar: Located in Zurich, this bar offers craft beer and a cozy atmosphere. While not explicitly themed, the name suggests a connection to the equestrian world, which might be appealing to fans of the Prancing Pony.
  • The Green Room Irish Pub: Though not directly related to The Lord of the Rings, Irish pubs often evoke a sense of warmth and camaraderie similar to the Prancing Pony. This pub in Zurich receives positive reviews on Tripadvisor.
  • El Lokal: This bar in Zurich has unique and creative decorations, making it a good choice for those seeking a unique atmosphere. 

If you're interested in the inspiration behind the Prancing Pony, The Bell Inn in Moreton-in-Marsh, England is believed to have inspired Tolkien with its three stories and courtyard entrance. 
  • 6 Historic Places That Inspired Tolkien's Lord of the Rings
    Aug 31, 2023 — 5. The Prancing Pony and The Bell Inn. The Prancing Pony is a renowned Middle-Earth pub in the town of Bree. According to the local Tolkien Society, the real-wo...
    The Historic England Blog
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Dive deeper in AI Mode
  • The Prancing Pony - Tolkien Gateway
    Sep 29, 2024 — Description. The inn was located just where the East Road bent round the foot of Bree-hill, within the dike that stretched around the town. The building was thr...
    Tolkien Gateway
  • The Green Room Irish Pub (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE ...
    Jul 14, 2025 — The Green Room Irish Pub (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
    Tripadvisor
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