As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall in December, there’s nothing better than grabbing a cosy blanket, a hot chocolate, and rewatching all your festive favourites.
But did you ever think of actually visiting some of the filming locations from the iconic holiday movies?
From noughties classics like Love Actually and The Holiday, to more recent releases like the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special, and Last Christmas, many of the festive films were shot right here in the UK.
Parkdean Resorts has revealed where some of the holiday films and TV specials were shot, and which ones you can visit for yourself this winter.
From the store where Alan Rickman bought a necklace for a woman that wasn’t his wife in Love Actually, to the Barry Island pub where Bryn and Nessa sing Fairytale of New York in Gavin and Stacey - here are some of the best festive film locations to explore this December.
Love Actually (2003)
Starting off with one of the most iconic Christmas films, Love Actually is a heart-warming film all about, well - love, actually.
Set around some of London’s most picturesque locations including St Luke’s Mews, Notting Hill, where Mark (Andrew Lincoln) creates one of the most memorable scenes within the film as he silently declares his love for Juliet with the famous card signs.
Selfridges also features in the film, where Rowan Atkinson performs the longest gift wrapping service to ever exist for Alan Rickman, and not forgetting the romantic montage of Heathrow Airport’s arrivals lounge that starts and ends the film.
The Holiday (2006)
Based between the UK and LA, this festive favourite follows the story of two single women trying to navigate their way through the holiday season alone and results in a house swap to escape problematic ex-partners.
Iris’ - played by Kate Winslet - cottage home is set in Surrey, but it’s actually a real cottage in Holmbury, St Mary.
Other memorable locations include the luxurious outside aesthetic of Graham’s home in Wonersh, and the cosy pub called The White Horse, which is a real pub based in Shere.
Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
Not immediately considered a Christmas film but Bridget Jones’ Diary, does include a selection of the most recognisable Christmas scenes.
The story follows a 32-year-old single woman, played by Renée Zellweger, who keeps a diary of all the things she wishes for in life.
Bridget’s first meeting with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) at her parent’s Christmas party is set in Snowshill, just off the A46 around 12 miles northeast of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
And not forgetting the concluding scene where Bridget finally shares that festive kiss with Mark outside of London’s Royal Exchange.
The Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special (2019)
Ten years after the final episode aired, the long-awaited return of Gavin and Stacey in the form of a Christmas special graced TV screens across the UK.
Hoping to get some answers to the cliff-hangers and unfinished stories of episodes gone by, 17.1 million fans tuned into the hour-long comeback episode written by James Corden and Ruth Jones.
Much like the rest of the series, the special episode was filmed in the Welsh holiday coastal town of Barry Island, and include scenes on Barry Promenade, Trinity Street, which is home to Brynn, Gwenn and Stacey, as well as a karaoke rendition of Fairytale of New York, courtesy of Brynn and Nessa, in the local pub The Dolphin which is known as Basset Bar.
Last Christmas (2019)
Inspired by music from the late George Michael, this romcom sees the story of a young aspiring musician looking for her big break.
Featuring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, the film showcases a selection of London’s most beautiful settings, some of which include Covent Garden, Yuletide Store, The Ally Pally ice rink and romantic hideaway Phoenix Garden.
Another memorable location is St Mary’s, at Bryanston Square Marylebone, which is the location of ‘St Judes’ homeless shelter where the film concludes with a star-studded talent show.
The Vicar of Dibley: The Christmas Lunch Incident (1996)
So as not to upset those around her, Dawn French’s Geraldine pays the heavy price for Christmas kindness when she agrees to attend not one, not two but three Christmas lunches in this old, but classic sitcom favourite.
The series was filmed in the Buckinghamshire village of Turville near High Wycombe - and you can visit the village’s St. Mary the Virgin Church which featured as the fictional Dibley’s St. Barnabas.
The show’s opening credits also include scenes from the M40 motorway’s Stokenchurch Gap and the Chiltern Hills.
