Set against the snowy backdrop of the Surrey countryside, The Holiday is a festive and wholesome film that adds a warming touch to dark winter evenings when wood burners crackle and hot water bottles beckon.
It’s easy to escape reality as you follow the story of Iris and Amanda, but why step into the world of cinema when you can recreate the film yourself?
From traditional tranquillity to modern opulence, we’ve picked our favourite properties inspired by the cosy cottage and lavish LA pad that set the scene for the movie, meaning you can start planning your own version of The Holiday!
Iris’ country cottage in The Holiday is called ‘Rosehill Cottage’ and much to the disappointment of fans, the cottage doesn’t actually exist. It was a set specifically built for the film in a field near the Surrey village of Shere and was dismantled after filming. The interior shots were filmed in a carefully designed studio.
The charming Surrey village of Shere is where much of The Holiday was filmed. The village sits 30 miles southwest of London and sets the perfect scene with its traditional cottages, Norman church and winding streets that encapsulate quintessential English village life.
Unlike the cottage in The Holiday, Amanda’s LA house is real and can still be spotted in the popular neighbourhood of San Marino in California, near Pasadena. While the exterior shots of the house are real, the interior shots were filmed in a custom-built set elsewhere in California.
Unfortunately, you can not stay at the cottage from The Holiday because it doesn’t actually exist – the exterior of the cottage was a purpose-built set which was dismantled after filming.
If you’re dreaming of a getaway in a cottage or lavish mansion similar to the properties featured in the film, then scroll through this blog to uncover our favourite holiday homes inspired by The Holiday.
Laundry Cottage Combe Hay, Bath
Sleeps 6 guests
The frost-kissed hills and pretty villages of the Cotswolds set the perfect scene for a festive getaway, and this beautiful Grade II-listed home built from golden-hued stone is almost identical to the property that awaits Cameron Diaz in The Holiday.
Surrounded by greenery and the sounds of nature, Laundry Cottage nestles in the village of Combe Hay and combines original features like exposed wooden beams and a courtyard garden with modern, homely comforts.
Amanda chases tranquillity throughout The Holiday, and that’s just what Laundry Cottage offers in abundance, whether that means snuggling beside the glowing wood burner or exploring the peaceful garden with its valley views.
Why our guests love it
“Laundry Cottage is one of the nicest places we've ever stayed in. The house is incredibly cosy, yet spacious, stylish, and well-equipped. The owner could not have been more helpful! We really enjoyed the wood burner and proximity to Bath and other places.” – Georgia, 2023
Book Laundry Cottage Combe Hay
Seven, Bude
Sleeps 4 guests
Clean lines, white-washed walls, open-aspect rooms and sea-view balconies define this incredible coastal apartment in the Cornish surf town of Bude. Mirroring the contemporary, beautifully manicured mansion that greets Iris on her arrival to California, Seven makes it easy to escape to a world of elegance and chic styling.
Wake to the sights and sounds of Crooklets Beach during your getaway before strolling through to the airy, open-plan living space to pour a coffee in the gleaming kitchen. Adorned with ocean-inspired artwork and potted plants, this luxurious pad offers the perfect base from which to explore Cornwall’s dramatic coastline and verdant countryside.
For a more restful stay, perhaps to follow Iris’ escape from the hustle and bustle, spend your days in Seven, lounging on the sweeping balcony with a glass of something special, with the sounds of crashing waves and seagulls as your backdrop.
Why our guests love it
“Great apartment, very comfortable and spacious with a bright and airy, contemporary feel. Very well constructed and fitted out. Brilliant location, right on the beach and coastal path, just a 10-minute walk to Bude. Great parking.” – Roger, 2024
Book Seven
Dove Cottage, Ketton
Sleeps 2 guests + 1 dog
The quintessentially English atmosphere of Iris’ Surrey cottage is what makes The Holiday such a comforting watch, and the same is on offer here in the picturesque East Midlands countryside.
Picket fencing, honey-coloured local stone and trailing plants welcome you as you amble down the pretty path of Dove Cottage. The rural charm continues inside in the form of exposed ceiling beams, wooden pillars, stone walls and narrow cottage stairs – providing the perfect setting for a quiet escape from everyday life.
With countryside walks from the doorstep and old English pubs nearby, anyone craving a traditional escape should look no further than Dove Cottage. Enjoy chilly nights curled up beside the wood burner as the Smart TV whisks you away to a world of film, or spend balmy evenings in the fairy light-adorned courtyard garden, sipping something fresh to the sound of birdsong.
Why our guests love it
“Beautiful, cosy cottage. Spotlessly clean with everything thought of. We had a lovely few days. It was nice to have a table and chairs outside for when the sun was out. Perfectly located for visiting Rutland Water and the surrounding areas. We would definitely recommend, thank you.” – Susan, 2024
Book Dove Cottage
Windmill View, Trevone
Sleeps 8 guests + 2 dogs
From home cinema setups to scenic balconies, statement windows and striking decor, Windmill View offers Cornwall’s very own version of Amanda’s California mansion. This sprawling, open-aspect property charms with its spacious rooms flooded with natural light, providing the perfect environment to embrace the finer things in life as you unwind and plan your next chapter.
While Iris discovers the contemporary LA home by herself, this countryside retreat offers a similar journey, but one for all the family or group of friends to share. Four contemporary bedrooms sleep a total of eight guests here, each mirroring the minimalist and modern style from the film.
Gather around the large Smart TV for group movie nights, enjoy family feasts at the long dining table as you gaze over the Cornish countryside, and make the most of the property’s sun-soaked garden, dining alfresco before retreating to your private balcony for some much-needed quiet time.
Why our guests love it
"Windmill View was very well equipped with mod cons. The property offers a lovely outdoor space perfect for little ones to run around." – C Thomas, 2024
Book Windmill View
Starlight Cottage, Hay-on-Wye
Sleeps 2 guests + 1 dog
The picturesque market town of Hay-on-Wye sets the perfect scene for a getaway inspired by Iris’ country cottage in The Holiday, and this beautiful former farm building is the ideal base from which to discover the town and surrounding scenery.
Before settling into Starlight Cottage for the night, head into town to uncover the gorgeous Hay-on-Wye cottages and peruse the world-famous collection of bookshops to pick your holiday read to enjoy back at base in front of a crackling wood burner.
Set high in the Black Mountains, this splendid cottage charms with its local stone exterior, countryside views, and cosy interior where wooden beams and exposed brick combine. Amanda pursues a slower pace of life during her English getaway, and that is just what’s on offer here, whether that means cosying up by the fire or exploring the enchanting gardens that await.
Why our guests love it
“This was a really delightful cottage, very comfortable and in a superb location – if you want peace and tranquillity, this is the place to come! The views from our room and the patio area were superb, and the grounds and gardens very well thought-out and kept.” – Penny, 2024
Book Starlight Cottage
Ayur, Brixham
Sleeps 6 guests + 1 dog
Combine the city glamour of Amanda’s LA home with Brixham’s coastal charm as you book a getaway in this sleek home among the fishing town’s winding streets and seaside cottages. Bustling seafood markets, shingle beaches and a historic harbour replace LA’s boulevards and palm trees, but other than that, the contemporary vibes of Amanda’s home ooze from Ayur in Brixham.
Crisp and airy open-plan living spaces set the scene for a luxurious break, with every white-washed corner boasting its own modern amenity and homely comfort. Return to underfloor heating after days of coastal rambles and find a spacious kitchen – like a room from a home-deco magazine – that offers all the luxuries needed to cook up memorable holiday feasts.
Each level of the property boasts its own sumptuous bedroom, with the headline act on the third and final floor offering a grand, open-aspect room with a free-standing bath and private balcony with charming harbour and Brixham cottage views.
Why our guests love it
“Amazing place, location was great – in the centre of everything. The apartment was fab and had everything we needed. We usually book a holiday rental every summer, and this is probably the nicest place we have had. We would recommend it to everyone.” – Sarah, 2023
Book Ayur
Honeycomb Cottage, Chipping Norton
Sleeps 2 guests + 1 dog
Exposed wooden beams, rustic stone walls, glowing wood burners and white-washed window shutters combine in Honeycomb Cottage to create a cosy scene fit for any festive rom-com. Perched on the fringes of the Cotswolds National Landscape and surrounded by the traditional cottages of Chipping Norton, this is the perfect escape for a film-inspired getaway.
On arrival to her Christmas cottage, Amanda falls in love with her new surroundings of low ceilings, cosy corners and traditional English decor, and that’s just what awaits as you step into the warm embrace of this inviting bolthole.
A feeling of escapism and self-discovery flows through the movie, and you can embrace similar sensations as you soak in the free-standing bathtub that sits in the corner of the sumptuous master bedroom. Each morning, step outside onto the peaceful patio and start your day with a brew accompanied by a few chapters of your holiday read.
Why our guests love it
“Absolutely gorgeous cottage, the perfect peaceful getaway for two. The cottage is beautiful and luxurious and in a great location for all the surrounding villages. I would highly recommend staying here and cannot wait to check in again myself!” – Stevie-Leigh, 2024
Book Honeycomb Cottage
Overwater Penthouse, Lynmouth
Sleeps 6 guests + 1 dog
Just like the crisp white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that make Amanda’s modern home so appealing to Iris, the luxurious, rattan-inspired interior of Overwater Penthouse offers an opulent seaside pad on Devon’s rugged coastline.
The perfect base for those seeking an escape and somewhere to peacefully plan the next stage in life, this impressive apartment perches in Lynmouth, where the coast’s rolling woodland meets the water.
Verdant views are framed by every window, and a sumptuous lounge boasts a glowing wood burner for cosy movie nights together, while a sprawling private terrace is the perfect spot for dining alfresco with a backdrop of rolling valley vistas. Whether it means uncovering Devon’s dramatic coastline or simply hiding indoors surrounded by luxury, a getaway to Overwater Penthouse ensures a healthy reset.
Why our guests love it
“This apartment was spotless, warm and had everything we needed from a self-catering perspective. The beds were very comfy and the owners had left games for the kids and little treats for us on arrival. We loved how close it was to the Lynmouth’s harbour.” – Karen M, 2024
Book Overwater Penthouse
Start planning your rom-com getaway
Whether it’s the cosy, rustic charm of Iris’ countryside cottage or the modern luxuries of Amanda’s LA mansion that appeal to you, our collection of peaceful retreats and opulent pads is sure to inspire. Book a stay in a property featured in this blog or find your very own Iris and Amanda moment by clicking the button below and exploring our range of self-catering holidays across the UK.
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