Places in Middle-earth
Green Dragon Inn
Type: Buildings, Halls, Houses
Region: Bree/The Shire
Location: Bywater, in the Westfarthing of the Shire.
Description: An inn, described as "the last house on the Hobbiton side, now lifeless and with broken windows" when the Hobbits reach it at the end of RotK, but undoubtedly far more welcoming at earlier times.
Thorin's letter to Bilbo near the beginning of The Hobbit states, "Thinking it unnecessary to disturb your esteemed repose, we have proceeded in advance to make requisite preparations, and shall await your respected person at the Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, at 11 a.m. sharp." This suggests that the Dwarves may have been staying at the Green Dragon before they met up with Bilbo, and at least stabled their ponies there.
In FotR, Sam patronizes the Green Dragon, and it is here that he talks with Ted Sandyman about the queer people passing through the Shire after Bilbo's Birthday Party.
Sources: The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"; FotR, "The Shadow of the Past"; RotK, "The Scouring of the Shire."
Contributors: 15.7.2003 Celandine Brandybuck