One of the reasons The Holiday has become such an enduring and beloved Christmas film is the charming cottage where much of the action takes place.
But this week, Jude Law revealed that it does not actually exist, leaving many fans including BBC Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, whom he told, distraught.
In the movie, Law, playing book editor Graham, finds love with Amanda, a Hollywood movie trailer editor played by Cameron Diaz. Decked in snow, the house sat somewhere in the Surrey Hills.
But while the cottage was a fictional film set, there are plenty of festive alternatives still available this Christmas… although we can’t guarantee any snow.
The coveted Surrey cottage from The Holiday, which Jude Law revealed wasn’t real
Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, as love-interests Graham and Amanda, in the Holiday
Cornish hideaway
Stay in a gorgeous 16th-century thatched cottage in the quiet village of Manaccan on the Lizard Peninsula – but watch out for its low beams. Rose Cottage, sleeping six, boasts an inglenook fireplace, stained-glass windows and a farmhouse-style kitchen. There’s a pleasant pub nearby and it’s not far to the exotic, sub-tropical gardens at Trebah and Glendurgan.
Stay in a gorgeous 16th-century thatched cottage in the quiet village of Manaccan, Cornwall
Enjoy Rose Cottage’s inglenook fireplace, stained-glass windows and a farmhouse-style kitchen
BOOK IT: From £940 for seven nights on December 22 (sykescottages.co.uk).
Dorset dream
Moles Cottage is surrounded by rolling countryside in the village of Farnham. It sleeps 16 in eight comfortable en suite rooms (one with a roll-top bath in the bedroom) and the interior design is traditional throughout with tartan carpets, old framed prints, leather armchairs and a wide-open fireplace.
There’s a friendly local (the Museum Inn) and it’s a nine-mile drive to the market town of Shaftesbury.
Moles Cottage is surrounded by rolling countryside in the village of Farnham, Dorset
It sleeps 16 in eight comfortable en suite rooms (one with a roll-top bath in the bedroom)
BOOK IT: Four nights for £4,448 on December 24 (sykescottages.co.uk).
Corker in Yorkshire
On the North Yorkshire coast, between Scarborough and Whitby, Bay View Cottage overlooks Robin Hood’s Bay. This romantic hideaway for two is set high on cliffs and comes with a wood-burning fire, exposed stone walls and wood beams; the bedroom is on a mezzanine level. A terrace faces the North Sea and the coastal path runs close by its back garden.
Bay View Cottage, on the North Yorkshire coast, overlooks Robin Hood’s Bay
This romantic hideaway for two is set high on cliffs and comes with a wood-burning fire, exposed stone walls and wood beams
BOOK IT: From £1,280 for four nights over Christmas (crabtreeandcrabtree.com).
Herefordshire delight
Sleeping four in two bedrooms, Hampton Wafre Cottage is a converted, 17th-century stone barn on an arable farm near the village of Docklow, Herefordshire. There’s a log burner in the living room, with leather sofas and whitewashed walls and the odd splash of modern art. Carp fishing can be arranged locally, and the cottage sits not far from the market towns of Ledbury and Ludlow.
Hampton Wafre Cottage is a converted 17th-century stone barn near Docklow, Herefordshire
There’s a log burner in the living room, with leather sofas and whitewashed walls
The cottage sits not far from the market towns of Ledbury and Ludlow
BOOK IT: From £1,391 for seven nights from December 20 (ruralretreats.co.uk).
East Anglian escape
Tucked away on a small lane in the village of Docking, 3 Chapel Cottages is a mid-terrace, Victorian cottage sleeping four with a flint exterior and oodles of charm. Inside, it’s decorated in muted colours, with exposed beams and a log-burning stove in the lounge. You’re a short drive from the coast, and there’s a pub within a 15-minute walk (the inviting-looking Railway Inn).
In the village of Docking, 3 Chapel Cottages is a mid-terrace, Victorian cottage
It sleeps four, and has a flint exterior and oodles of charm
You’re a short drive from the coast, and there’s a pub within a 15-minute walk
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £473 over Christmas (selfcatering.co.uk).
Welsh wonder
It may be tricky to pronounce, but Troedrhiwfawr (translating as ‘foot of the hill’) is a treat. Tucked away between rolling hills in Ceredigion, this cottage enjoys splendid views and is smartly decorated with throw rugs and colourful cushions on squashy sofas in a living room featuring a wood-burning stove and stone walls. It sleeps four in two bedrooms, and the nearest village is Ponterwyd.
Tucked away between rolling hills in Ceredigion is Troedrhiwfawr
This cottage enjoys splendid views and is smartly decorated
It sleeps four in two bedrooms, and the nearest village is Ponterwyd
BOOK IT: From £1,526 for seven nights from December 20 (ruralretreats.co.uk).
Nice in Northumberland
On a hill facing Holy Island, Lindisfarne View – a converted Victorian schoolhouse – lives up to its name. Sleeping four, it comes with flagstone floors, a beautiful rose-shaped stained glass window and timber beams. The interior decor is elegant, featuring antiques and patterned wallpaper. It’s close to the village of Belford, which boasts a pub and a fish and chip shop.
On a hill facing Holy Island, Lindisfarne View lives up to its name
The interior decor is elegant, featuring antiques and patterned wallpaper
Sleeping four, it comes with flagstone floors, a beautiful rose-shaped stained glass window and timber beams
BOOK IT: From £1,790 for seven nights over Christmas (crabtreeandcrabtree.com).
Cotswolds classic
How about spending a week in a 17th-century cottage – sleeping six in three bedrooms – in the Gloucestershire village of Southrop over Christmas? This beautifully restored property, named Culls Cottage, features limestone floors with underfloor heating, a wood-burning fire, original art and a large, modern kitchen. Outside, hearty souls can brave the cold around the fancy table and benches. The village of Southrop is home to a gastro pub named The Swan as well as the Ox Barn restaurant and Meadow Spa.
Culls Cottage, a 17th-century cottage, is in the Gloucestershire village of Southrop
It features limestone floors with underfloor heating, a wood-burning fire, original art and a large, modern kitchen
The beautifully restored property sleeps six in three bedrooms
BOOK IT: From £4,078 for seven nights on December 21 (oneoffplaces.co.uk).
County Down-time
Set within the Castle Ward estate, Downpatrick Gate Lodge sleeps two in a peculiar-but-pretty gingerbread-style house. The elegantly decorated cottage dates from the 18th century and has a wood-burning stove in the sitting room, a roll-top bath and skylights in the bedroom perfect for stargazing. There are lots of pleasant nearby walks taking in the best of local woodlands and meadows.
Downpatrick Gate Lodge sleeps two in a peculiar-but-pretty gingerbread-style house
The cottage has a wood-burning stove in the sitting room, a roll-top bath, and skylights in the bedroom perfect for stargazing.
There are lots of pleasant nearby walks taking in the best of local woodlands and meadows
BOOK IT: Three nights over Christmas from £644 (nationaltrust.org.uk).
Lovely in the lakes
If you’re after a remote location, Rose Castle Cottage in Cumbria, sleeping four, fits the bill – in a wonderfully quiet, isolated spot above Tarn Hows, just north west of Coniston Water. This stone cottage comes with a wide fireplace, flagstone floors, a dining area and arched windows. Why not go hiking round Coniston Water or up the Old Man of Coniston (2,632ft).
If you’re after a remote location, Rose Castle Cottage in Cumbria, sleeping four, fits the bill
The cottage comes with a wide fireplace, flagstone floors, a dining area and arched windows
BOOK IT: Three nights over Christmas £409 (nationaltrust.org.uk).
South-west seclusion
Rose Cottage is tucked away in the hamlet of St Ewe in Cornwall, about three miles inland from the quaint village/harbour of Mevagissey. The stone cottage, sleeping six, has a bright and breezy feel and fine countryside views. There’s a smart, modern kitchen and dining area. Just down the street is the Crown Inn, a 16th-century hostelry with a roaring fire and a restaurant. It’s not far to Pentewan Beach, either.
Rose Cottage is tucked away in the hamlet of St Ewe in Cornwall
The stone cottage, sleeping six, has a bright and breezy feel and fine countryside views
It is about three miles inland from the quaint village/harbour of Mevagisse
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £1,185 on December 21 (aspects-holidays.co.uk).
Christmas in Eden
On the edge of the quiet village of Church Brough within Eden Valley, Cumbria, Clematis Cottage sleeps two in an 18th century former coach house. The interior has an open-plan kitchen-cum-living room featuring leather sofas, while the upstairs floor has a large bedroom with en suite bathroom. Church Brough is well located for exploring all three of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines.
Clematis Cottage sleeps two in an 18th century former coach house
The interior has an open-plan kitchen-cum-living room featuring leather sofas
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £429 on December 21 (cottages.com).
Kentish curiosity
Hole yourselves up in Hole Cottage – a curious structure that was once part of a late medieval timber-framed house. This was the only section of the building that remained when the rest was pulled down in 1833. Inside, the comfortable cottage, which sleeps four, has fantastic original exposed beams and a wood burner in the downstairs lounge. It sits in a woodland clearing, and Chartwell and Hever Castle make for interesting day trips.
Hole Cottage is a curious structure that was once part of a late medieval timber-framed house
The comfortable cottage has fantastic original exposed beams and a wood burner
It sits in a woodland clearing and sleeps four
BOOK IT: From £2,023 for seven nights on December 23 (landmarktrust.org.uk).
West Country retreat
Sleeping six in three bedrooms, Meadow Cottage dates from the 18th century and has a higgledy-piggledy feel with low ceilings and nooks and crannies, as well as narrow staircases to four little bedrooms in the main building. There are two in a quirky shepherd’s hut in the garden, too. Expect Farrow & Ball-painted walls and reupholstered vintage furniture. It’s within the pleasant market town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset.
Meadow Cottage has a higgledy-piggledy feel with low ceilings and nooks and crannies
There are four bedrooms in the main house, and another two in a shepherd’s hut in the garden
Expect Farrow & Ball-painted walls and reupholstered vintage furniture
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £695 over Christmas (oliverstravels.com).
Big in Norfolk
On a private estate in Fring, the Walled Garden cottage has a distinguished flint-stone exterior surrounded by lawns and well-tended, formal plots. It sleeps up to 16. Expect a big, modern kitchen next to a dining area with a long, wooden dining table. It’s a short drive to the beaches at Brancaster and Old Hunstanton, while Burnham Market and Thornham are nearby.
Walled Garden cottage has a flint-stone exterior and is surrounded by well-tended gardens
The home’s big, modern kitchen and dining area with a long, wooden dining table ready to seat the 16 possible guests that could stay here
It’s a short drive to the beaches at Brancaster and Old Hunstanton
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £1,955 over Christmas (selfcatering.co.uk).
Highlands Haven
Loch Shore Cottage in Ross-shire, which sleeps up to six, overlooks Loch Long and mountains rising beyond. Warm up in front of multi-fuel burners in the living room. It’s also an eight-mile drive to the town of Kyle of Lochalsh, where there’s a bridge to the Isle of Skye.
Loch Shore Cottage in Ross-shire sleeps up to six
Warm up in front of multi-fuel burners in the living room
It overlooks Loch Long and mountains rising beyond
BOOK IT: From £899 for seven nights on December 21 (cottages.com).
Perfect in Perthshire
Within the grounds of the 4,000-acre Monzie Estate, Burnside cottage is a romantic hideaway worthy of a Hollywood tryst a la Jude Law and Cameron Diaz in The Holiday. It’s tucked away amid rolling hills and decorated with antiques mixed with original art, throw rugs and designer lighting.
Burnside cottage is a romantic hideaway worthy of a Hollywood tryst a la The Holiday
It is decorated with antiques mixed with original art, throw rugs and designer lighting
BOOK IT: From £1,347 for five nights from December 21 (monzieestate.com).
An Aberdeenshire ace
Escape to Aberdeenshire, where Cuttieshillock cottage, sleeping up to six, is perfect for a tranquil Christmas – 20 miles from the harbour town of Stonehaven. It comes with a locally made wreath, Christmas tree (from the nearby estate) and plenty of logs for roaring fires.
There’s often snow in winter, so a white Yuletide could be yours.
Cuttieshillock cottage, sleeping up to six, is perfect for a tranquil Christmas
It comes with a locally made wreath, Christmas tree and plenty of logs for roaring fires
A white Yuletide could be yours at this cottage in Aberdeenshire
BOOK IT: From £2,000 for four nights, staying from December 23 (glendyecabinsandcottages.com).
