The Holiday
Shere was used as the primary filming location for the 2006 film 'The Holiday' starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, and is the village where Iris (Kate Winslet) lives.
The filmmakers chose Shere because it embodies a romanticized vision of rural England, which contrasts with the film’s Los Angeles setting and reinforces the movie’s themes of escape, comfort, and emotional renewal.
Iris’s cottage, one of the film’s most iconic elements, was not a real house—it was a temporary set built near Shere to match the village’s historic style, but despite this, many scenes from the film can be identified in and around the village.
The White Horse Pub
This historic 15th-century pub is one of the standout locations from The Holiday. It’s where Amanda and Graham share a cosy date in the film. Fans love stopping here for a pint or a meal and the chance to dine “in the moment” from the movie.
St James’ Church & Village Centre
Although not central to a dramatic plot point like the pub, St James’ Church and the lanes around it provide the quintessential “English village” backdrop you see in the film’s exterior shots. Walking through these streets evokes the same rustic charm captured on screen.
Footbridge Over the Tillingbourne Stream
Fans will recognise this small stone footbridge that appears in the film when Amanda is running around the village. It’s one of those visual moments that really sticks with viewers of the movie.
Shere High Street & Tea Rooms
Shere’s quaint shops, tea rooms and independent stores (like tearooms and gift shops) add to the atmosphere that The Holiday celebrates and are great for browsing — especially in winter, when many fans imagine the village as snow-covered.
Mill House in Wonersh
A short distance from Shere, the exterior of Graham’s home in the film was shot at this real property in the nearby village of Wonersh. It’s a quick detour if you’re exploring all the English filming sites.
Godalming High Street
Amanda’s shopping scene (where she goes a bit overboard buying groceries) was filmed here. The historic centre of Godalming has a very classic English look that fans enjoy seeing in person.
Why not sit back in our lounge and watch the film again on DVD!