The countdown to Christmas is on, and many are immersing themselves in festive films on Netflix and other streaming platforms to usher in the holiday cheer. Among the perennial favourites being revisited are Richard Curtis’s Love Actually, the heartwarming Home Alone, and Kate Winslet’s The Holiday, reports the Manchester Evening News.
First released in 2006, The Holiday has remained a beloved romantic comedy for nearly two decades. The film features an all-star cast, including Oscar winner Winslet, Charlie’s Angels’ Cameron Diaz, School of Rock’s Jack Black, and Jude Law.
The plot follows four individuals nursing broken hearts as they discover new love just in time for Christmas. Crucially, The Holiday sees American film trailer producer Amanda Woods (Diaz) seeking a change of scenery after a disastrous relationship.
She swaps homes with British columnist Iris Simpkins (Winslet), who is grappling with her own heartache as her manipulative ex-boyfriend Jasper Bloom (Rufus Sewell) keeps her entangled in his life.
Iris finds herself in Amanda’s lavish California home, complete with a luxurious swimming pool, where she befriends her new Hollywood neighbours. On the other hand, Amanda opts for Iris’ quaint Surrey cottage, finding London too bustling for her taste as she searches for potential retreats. Both Iris and Amanda find their lives transformed by their respective getaways.
The Holiday devotes considerable screen time to Amanda as she explores the charming village where the cottage is located and falls for Iris’ widowed brother, Graham Simpkins (Law). Here’s all you need to know about the UK filming locations for The Holiday.
Where was The Holiday filmed?
The Holiday was shot in both Los Angeles and the UK. For the British scenes, filming took place in Godalming and Shere, a town and a village in Surrey with roots dating back to the 11th century.
This picturesque village, nestled in the Guildford district of Surrey, boasts quaint shops, an art gallery, pubs, and a tea house.
Shere, situated on the River Tillingbourne, retains much of its agricultural character. It’s a conservation area home to 34 listed buildings.
The Holiday isn’t the first film to be shot in Shere; it follows in the footsteps of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The Wedding Date, and The Ruling Class.
Can you visit the cottage from The Holiday?
Unfortunately, the cottage was purpose-built for The Holiday and doesn’t exist in reality. The exterior of the cottage was constructed by the film crew near St James’s Church in Shere.
The interiors of Iris’ home, Rosehill Cottage, were filmed at Sony Studios in Culver City, California. The production team had found a delightful little cottage listed by the National Trust, but it was four-and-a-half hours from London, making it impractical for the film crew to use, according to Locations Hub.
No, it’s not possible to visit the cottage featured in The Holiday. However, Cottages.com suggests that there are other picturesque villages in Surrey and across England that bear a resemblance to the film’s setting.
One such place is Holmbury St Mary in the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Other locations with a similar aesthetic include Mousehall Oast in Wadhurst, Sussex, and Poppy’s Cottage in Faversham, perfect for those looking to recreate the charm of The Holiday.
Additionally, you can enjoy cosy Christmas drinks at The White Horse Pub in Shere. During the filming of The Holiday, the production team had to close one of the local pubs for two days.
The village was transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with snow and festive decorations, including twinkling Christmas lights adorning the trees.
The Holiday is streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer now
