A couple who bought a £625,000 cottage without realising it inspired Kate Winslet’s idyllic Surrey retreat in Christmas romcom The Holiday have described how movie fans regularly turn up and take photos or make calls from America.
Jon and Cressida only found out it was the inspiration for the cottage during the 2006 holiday flick.
They now have regular fans who come to their Holmbury St Mary home to pose for photos or take pictures.
Jon Hutman was the production designer of the Christmas movie. He stated on the DVD commentary, that when the filmmakers stumbled upon the home, they were searching for the smallest, cutest and most English-sounding cottage.
After a split-up, Diaz (Hollywood trailer expert) leaves LA for a two week holiday at Rosehill Cottage in rural England. The landlady’s brother Graham is played by Jude Law and she falls for him while they are there.
Bromley stated that it was one of those escapes in which you hide somewhere in a small village. It has a small pub and no shops. “I’m proud of this house, it’s very beautiful and we are extremely lucky.
Jon and Cressida bromley discovered that the cottage was inspired by the Christmas movie in 2006 when they read about the sale in property magazines.
They now have regular fans who come to their Holmbury St Mary home to pose for photos or take pictures outside.
Jon Hutman was the production designer of the Christmas movie. He stated on the DVD commentary, that when the filmmakers stumbled upon the true-life property, they were searching for the ‘cutest and smallest English cottages that we could find.
Diaz departs Los Angeles for a two week holiday at Rosehill Cottage, rural England. This mini-break is when Diaz meets Graham (played by Jude Law) and falls in love.
Bromley played extras in films for ten years and first watched The Holiday many years before moving into.
Bromley, a sports photographer said that he first saw it in person and fell in love immediately. Just everything was beautiful – low ceilings, it’s beamed, it’s got a massive inglenook fireplace with a log burner in.
It was then that we read a Country Life article about it, which said “The Holiday cottage inspiration is back on market”. I thought ”b****y hell!”’.
AGA stove and underfloor heating are also available in this three-bedroom cottage. The iconic picket fence can be seen in the film. Landscape garden has a flagstone terrace that overlooks the Surrey hills and also offers views.
Bromley was informed that there are frequent calls to the house from America, and even people asking for photos of its exterior.
“We did a few location scouts. There are a few who come by looking for the house. Then, you have the occasional person who stops by and asks if this is the Holiday cottage.Then you get the odd one who stops and says “I recognize that, is this Holiday cottage?””’.
The sports photographer Mr Bromley says: “I saw it alone and I just fell in love immediately.” Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Kate Winslet star in The Holiday 2006.
Jon Hutman (the production designer of The Holiday) stated that he was searching for the “cutest, smallest and most English cottage” when he found the actual home.
This couple clearly understood why the romantic flick was inspired by their chocolatebox property
AGA stove, underfloor heating, and the famous picket fencing are some of the other features found in this cottage.
Bromley received information that the house is frequently contacted by Americans and requests to photograph the exterior.
Bromley was an extra in movies for 10 years and first saw The Holiday several years prior to moving in. He is also a huge Cameron Diaz fan.
According to the photographer, “She is brilliant. I thought that the entire film was very well done.”
“On several occasions, people ask me where I live and I show them photos. Many people say, “Are you kidding?” People often ask if you are serious. This house is just so beautiful, it has that Holiday feeling.
The couple has not yet committed to swapping homes, but they did have people take care of the home while they were gone.
However, when Bromley was asked whether he believed in romance, he replied: “You don’t want the ask!”
It was clear to the couple that their romantic getaway in the remote mountains of California inspired the film.
‘I’d been with O2 for 30 odd years and literally couldn’t get b****y signal, I’ve now got EE and even that’s not fantastic,’ Mr Bromley said.
It snowed last season and the warmth it gives you when it’s open is amazing. It’s something I am proud of.