Lego has turned Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance into a new set

There’s a lot of talk nowadays, about how Lego is no longer just for kids, with many adults enjoying it as a constructive and sociable hobby. As such, a lot of the bigger, more expensive sets are aimed solely at older fans and based around subjects children won’t necessarily have much interest in, such as a set paying homage to movie classic Jaws or a recreation of Barad-dûr from The Lord of the Rings.

Even compared to those sets, the Endurance is surprising subject matter for Lego, since it’s the famous ship used by Sir Ernest Shackleton in the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917.

Lego does make a lot of historical sets, including one of the Titanic, but it’s unusual to see something quite this specific, when it’s not a more iconic pop culture icon. But that’s great because it means that history fans now have a highly detailed model of one of the most famous sailing ships of all time.

In 1915, Endurance was trapped in pack ice close to Antarctica and sank sometime later, with the crew surviving and eventually being rescued, after using the ship’s boats to escape. It’s one of the most famous survival stories of the 20th century and the last great expedition of what’s called the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

After being discovered in 2022, the wreck of the Endurance is one of the best preserved examples of ships of the period and is now a protected monument.

Lego Endurance ship model flag detail — A Lego Union Jack (Lego)

It has multiple decks, with stairs, and removable sections so you can get into the cabins and steam engine compartment. There’re also four detachable lifeboats (the ones that saved the crew’s life), a chained bower anchor, and a moving ship’s wheel that turns the rudder.

That many Lego pieces isn’t cheap, but the Endurance will go on sale from November 29 for £229.99. It’ll be available at official Lego shops and via the Lego website.

As a bonus, if you buy it between November 29 and December 2 this year then you’ll get an exclusive free set called Shackleton’s Lifeboat. Although you also need to be a Lego Insider to claim it, which requires a free sign-up here.

This is on a different scale to the Endurance itself, so it includes two minifigures: Shackleton himself and photographer Frank Hurley. There’s also a camera, sleigh, stove, and oars – all depicted in charming period detail.