If You Loved The Holiday...
The Holiday follows two women on opposite sides of the Atlantic who decide to swap homes for the Christmas season. Amanda, a Hollywood film trailer producer from Los Angeles, trades her modern California home for Iris's cozy cottage in the English countryside. Meanwhile, Iris discovers that a change of scenery in Los Angeles may be exactly what she needs. Along the way, both women find unexpected friendships, romance and a little Christmas magic.
The movie gives us two very different sides of England: the charming countryside around Surrey and the festive energy of London.
If You Loved the Movie, Go Here...
If The Holiday made you dream of a cozy English Christmas, you can create your own version with a combination of London and the English countryside. Think charming villages, historic homes, afternoon tea, Christmas markets, traditional pubs and a countryside cottage.
Travel Inspiration
• Godalming, Surrey: Explore the area that provided the inspiration and filming locations for Iris's charming English countryside home.
• Shere, Surrey: Wander through this picturesque village, which was used for several of the movie's countryside scenes. Its cottages, church and village streets look like they belong in a Christmas card.
• Iris's Cottage: The cottage itself was a movie set rather than a real rental property, but you can experience the same atmosphere by staying in a traditional English country cottage or country inn.
• London: Follow Iris's journey into the city and explore some of London's most recognizable neighborhoods and landmarks.
• Notting Hill: Wander the colorful streets and browse the independent shops, just like you might imagine during one of Iris's London outings.
• Christmas Markets: Visit London's festive markets for Christmas decorations, seasonal treats and mulled wine.
• Afternoon Tea: Settle into a traditional London hotel or tearoom for tea, sandwiches, scones and pastries.
• English Pub: Warm up beside a fireplace with a traditional pub meal and a pint or glass of wine.
• English Countryside: Rent a car or hire a driver and spend a few days exploring the villages, historic homes and beautiful countryside around Surrey and the Cotswolds.
EAT:
Fish and chips, Sunday roast, steak and ale pie, sausage rolls, mince pies, Christmas pudding, scones with clotted cream and traditional English tea.
Create Your Own The Holiday Moment
Stay in a cozy country cottage, curl up beside a fireplace, explore a village decorated for Christmas and then head into London for the lights and holiday atmosphere. You may not be able to swap homes with someone across the ocean, but you can certainly create your own English Christmas escape.
“Maybe Christmas, the thought of it, makes us want to believe in a little magic.
