As the festive season gets into full swing, classic Christmas films are once again dominating our streaming queues. According to the Manchester Evening News, perennial favourites like Love Actually, Home Alone, and the beloved 2006 romantic comedy The Holiday are leading the charge on platforms like Netflix.
The Enduring Appeal of a Christmas Classic
Nearly two decades after its first release, The Holiday continues to capture hearts. The film boasts an all-star cast featuring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Jude Law. It tells the story of two women, Iris Simpkins (Winslet) and Amanda Woods (Diaz), who swap homes to escape their romantic troubles. While Iris jets off to a luxurious Los Angeles villa, Amanda finds herself in a picture-perfect English cottage in Surrey, where she falls for Iris's brother, Graham (Law).
The Truth Behind the Iconic Cottage
For many viewers, the quaint Rosehill Cottage is a central character. The burning question for fans is: can you visit it? The answer, unfortunately, is no. The charming exterior of Iris's cottage was purpose-built by the film crew near St James's Church in the village of Shere, Surrey.
The film's British scenes were shot on location in the historic Surrey settlements of Godalming and Shere. Shere, an 11th-century village in the Guildford district, is a conservation area with 34 listed buildings. It provided the perfect backdrop, with its quaint shops, pubs, and riverside setting on the River Tillingbourne.
Interestingly, the cottage interiors were not filmed in Surrey at all. They were created on a soundstage at Sony Studios in Culver City, California. The production team had initially found a suitable National Trust cottage, but it was a four-and-a-half-hour drive from London, making it logistically impossible for the shoot.
Where to Find the Holiday Magic Today
While the specific cottage is a film set, fans can still soak up the atmosphere in Shere. The village was transformed into a winter wonderland during filming, complete with fake snow and Christmas lights. Visitors can enjoy a festive drink at The White Horse Pub, which was temporarily closed for two days during production.
For those seeking a similar cottage experience, travel experts suggest exploring other charming English villages. Holmbury St Mary in the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is often recommended. Properties like Mousehall Oast in Wadhurst, Sussex, and Poppy's Cottage in Faversham also offer comparable rustic charm.
The Holiday is not the only production drawn to Shere's timeless appeal. The village has also featured in films like Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and The Wedding Date.
The film that started it all is currently available to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, ready to transport a new generation of viewers to its enchanting, if elusive, Surrey setting.
