How To Visit The Cute Village From The Holiday

The Christmas season has finally arrived, meaning it’s time to hunker down and (re)watch the best festive romcom ever made: The Holiday (2006). Starring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, not only is The Holiday extremely star-studded, wholesome and decently written but, more than 15 years on, it has aged well too. The stand-out performer, though, has to be that pretty Surrey village, with bags of charm sprinkled like snow on the narrow roads. If you’re similarly lovestruck, you might be wondering if you can visit. But, first thing’s first, is the village from The Holiday even real? Here’s everything you need to know.

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How To Visit The Cute Village From The Holiday

Is The Village In The Holiday A Real Place?

In short: no, the village in The Holiday is not a real place. However, this is mainly because the village is never actually named in The Holiday. The cottage, however, is given a name: Rosehill Cottage. Unfortunately, the exterior of Rosehill Cottage was built for the purposes of filming, though it was based on the real Honeysuckle Cottage, dating back to the 1700s and situated in the real town of Holmbury St Mary.

Where Was The Holiday Filmed?

The small Surrey towns of Godalming and Shere were used as the main countryside filming locations during the production of The Holiday, chosen for their quintessential Britishness. Plus, they’re very close to London – handy for darting back to the film studios.

Godalming is a market town, with many buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries; you might recognise it from Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz) shopping scenes. Shere is a small agricultural village, also in Surrey, serving as the location of Iris’ cottage (that Diaz’s character goes to stay in).

Both make lovely daytrips should you wish to visit. Sadly, while Honeysuckle Cottage was previously listed on Airbnb in December 2022, it has since been removed and remains a private property.

More Filming Locations

The White Horse, Shere

This Surrey pub appears as itself in The Holiday, with Amanda and Graham visiting for a drink. Visit to soak up their star power – and revel in the pub’s storied history, with its Grade II listed building dating back to 1425.

Wonersh

For Graham’s (Jude Law) home, Mill House in Wonersh was used, another pretty Surrey village brimming with character.

San Marino, California

While Amanda (Cameron Diaz) holidays in the British countryside, she lends her mammoth house to Iris (Kate Winslet), which is tucked in a secluded part of California. The real house is in a small but wealthy city in Los Angeles County: San Marino. In fact, little San Marino one of the wealthiest places in the nation in terms of household income.

Cornwell Manor, Oxfordshire

When Amanda and Graham eventually go on an actual date, Cornwell Manor near Chipping Norton provides a picture perfect backdrop.

Where Is The Holiday Streaming?

The Holiday is currently available to stream in the UK on Netflix. Never seen it before, or fancy reminiscing? Here’s the trailer:

Featured image: Godalming, Surrey (c) Getty