It’s almost December, which means it’s almost Christmas, which means it’s time to start thinking about holiday films. I have a usual list that I like to tuck into at this time of year. Die Hard, a plethora of Disney/Pixar creations, Home Alone, and so on.
For a film to be Christmassy, it has to follow a very strict set of instructions, at least in my mind. Being about Christmas is not one of them. It needs to be feelgood, with a happy ending. It needs to be something you can fall asleep while watching, without missing too much of the plot. It needs to be funny. One film that fits all of these criteria, and is one of my favourite Christmas films, is The Holiday. Fun fact: I went to see The Holiday in cinemas when I was 14 years old because my mother made me. Thankfully, I liked it.
The Holiday fits all of the above criteria. It is about as simple a film as you could imagine, and its sweet and funny and, for extra points, is even set at Christmas. The star of the film is not Cameron Diaz, or Jack Black, or Kate Winslet or even Jude Law. It is ‘the cottage’. You know the one.
It would be nice to spend a Christmas at The Holiday cottage. Thatch just so, smoke whisping into the sky from the chimney as snow falls softly all around. I’m not sure if that cottage is real, nor do I remember a recent Christmas where it snowed. But, if I were tempted to make Christmas at The Holiday cottage a reality, you could do a lot worse than Wye Cottage in St Day, Cornwall. It’s for sale with Lillicrap Chilcott for offers in the region of £375,000.
The thatch is correct, the red door is a lovely touch and the windows and chimneys fit the bill. The property offers three bedrooms, a bathroom and two reception rooms. Have a look at some pictures.
I feel it should be illegal for something to look this cosy. Recently restored by its owners (including a rethatching five years ago), the property also comes with about ⅓ of an acre of gardens, which contains three timber garages and a workshop.
On the edge of the village of St Day, there are plenty of amenities within walking distance, which is always handy. But why would you ever want to leave?
Credit: Strutt & Parker
An utterly enchanting neo-Gothic masterpiece in 20 beautiful acres of Wiltshire — and it's even unlisted
Hawking Down House is a glorious country property that's full of potential. Penny Churchill explains more.
-
'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secretsWhen it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealedNew research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of EnglandCome for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
