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Inside fairytale UK village from The Holiday that's rammed with film fans every Christmas - The Mirror


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Daily Mirror

Inside fairytale UK village from The Holiday that's rammed with film fans every Christmas

Some scenes for the iconic Christmas movie The Holiday were filmed in Shere village.

Nestled in the peaceful countryside, a quaint village comes to life during the festive season. The picturesque village of Shere, located on the outskirts of London, attracts tourists from all corners of the globe for one simple reason.


What distinguishes Shere, situated in the affluent Surrey Hills, is its unique connection to a beloved Christmas film. The cottage that inspired Kate Winslet's character's home in 'The Holiday' is located in Holmbury St Mary, and scenes were also shot in Shere village.


In 'The Holiday', Cameron Diaz swaps homes with Kate Winslet and finds love with Jude Law in southern England. The aptly named Honeysuckle Cottage served as the inspiration for the film's house, and fans can easily visit the real-life location.


READ MORE: The 'little gem of a town' with one of the UK's best high streets

However, this Hollywood fame has sparked some tension among the locals. Many are irked by the parking issues caused by tourists, leading to discussions about implementing new parking fees and even a charge for using the toilet, as reported by MyLondon.


Honeysuckle Cottage is situated in the charming neighbouring village of Holmbury St Mary. Upon closer examination, it's easy to see why this particular cottage so captivated the film's producers.

The cottage is a picture-perfect representation of the quintessential English countryside dwelling. Honeysuckle Cottage boasts a cosy fireplace with a log burner, oak timber beams throughout, and exposed brickwork in all bedrooms.

It's the ideal cosy cottage, fit for one of the UK's beloved Christmas films. With views of the Surrey countryside from the garden and the local pub just a short walk away, it's the perfect spot for a romantic Christmas.


The cottage was listed five years ago with Hamptons International, priced at £650,000 for a piece of Christmas heritage.

The exterior of the faux film cottage was also constructed in Surrey, with the set erected in a field in Shere near Godalming, including the cottage exterior, a small garden, and a walled path.

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The producers only built the cottage's exterior (interior shots were filmed on a Los Angeles set), and the entire structure was dismantled after filming concluded.

Many town scenes were shot in Godalming, providing fans of the film plenty of opportunities to spot familiar locations.

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