In my experience, the best Christmas locations are booked early. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect house for your campaign, only to discover you’ve been pipped to the post.
Whether you’re looking for a series of locations to cover multiple festive themes or one versatile property that can carry an entire shoot, now is the time to start your search. Christmas location sign-off can be both stressful and time-consuming, with a lot riding on finding the right backdrop. Studios also become increasingly busy during the festive shooting season, so early planning is always worthwhile.
While Christmas trends evolve each year, the essentials remain the same. From traditional family homes with space for all the trimmings, to contemporary interiors with a pared-back aesthetic, or bright, joyful settings packed with festive spirit, we’ve got you covered. And if your production schedule includes a studio shoot, we can help with that too.
The Great All-Rounder – WALTON – KT13
If you’re looking for a house with multiple festive features, Walton delivers. There are multiple fireplaces perfect for trees and seasonal styling, a beautiful front door ready for a wreath, a welcoming hallway, sweeping staircase and plenty of practical space for packing, unpacking, wrapping and prep.
This beautiful location has a calm, neutral backdrop throughout, making it easy to dress for a variety of Christmas looks. There are wonderfully shaped windows and, at the very top of the house, a dramatic vaulted attic room with exposed beams. Built-in cupboards throughout provide excellent opportunities for displaying decorations, festive treats and Christmas goodies.
The kitchen is modern traditional in style and perfectly set up for cooking and preparation. It features a generous working island, dining area and open-plan living space all within one room, making it a real multitasker. There is also a smart family room with a fireplace and folding shutters, adding an extra layer of cosiness.
For overnight guest stories, there are beautifully designed bedrooms throughout, while the children’s rooms offer oodles of style for those magical Christmas morning moments.
Offering both contemporary and traditional styling, Walton delivers multiple Christmas stories under one roof. From festive preparations and entertaining to gathering the night before Christmas, this location has it all wrapped up.
https://lovelocations.co.uk/location/walton/
fireplaces
panelling
built-in feature cupboards
traditional style
neutral limewash
wooden features in contrasting colours
parquet flooring
black and white checked tiles
freestanding baths
nursery
sash windows
French windows
tongue and groove detailing
gabled bedroom ceiling
Cottage Core – AGATHA – SL4
If you want to stage your Christmas cottage story in the style of the iconic film The Holiday, this 16th-century Tudor home offers countless festive moment spots.
Its abundance of fireplaces, wonderful country-style vaulted kitchen and open-plan dining area make it ideal for cooking, entertaining and gathering in the same space. Original beams throughout add warmth and authenticity, while the property’s own pub and beautifully curated library filled with colourful historic books create endless opportunities for storytelling.
Set within ten acres of picturesque land and complete with a large private lake, there is plenty of scope to bring an outdoor festive element into your concept.
I’m hooked on this one. All that’s missing is Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, but I’m sure they would come if you invited them.
https://lovelocations.co.uk/location/agatha/
fireplaces
panelling
Tudor style
dark beams
original features throughout
country-style kitchen
great wooden front door
library
pub
heritage colour palette
cosy bedrooms
beautifully updated bathrooms
wallpapered bathrooms
grounds
outhouses and garden structures
Two Looks – CRESCENT HOUSE – TN34
If you’re looking for the ultimate two looks in one house, Crescent House delivers beautifully. Modern rustic style and updated Victorian character come together effortlessly here.
Alongside a welcoming hallway and fireplace, the living spaces are perfectly suited to an all-day Christmas story, with plenty of room for a full-size tree and lots of pressies. There are two reception rooms, each with a distinct feel, connected by full-length double rooms that create excellent shoot-through opportunities and allow for impressive pull-back shots.
The beautifully considered open-plan kitchen and dining space features Scandi-inspired oak cabinetry, a marble-topped island and clean contemporary lines, making it ideal for food, entertaining and family gathering scenes. The dining area comfortably accommodates a long table, perfect for large family celebrations and festive get-togethers.
Upstairs, beautifully painted limewash walls and an earthy contemporary palette create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Stylish en suites and thoughtfully designed bedrooms provide the perfect backdrop for overnight guest stories and Christmas morning moments.
https://lovelocations.co.uk/location/crescent-house/
fireplaces
modern traditional mix
modern kitchen
polished concrete floor
exposed beams
panelling
tongue and groove feature wall
wooden floorboards
stripped-back hallway
large landing
lovely bedrooms
children’s bedroom
freestanding baths
muted colours
original windows
modern sliding doors
Country House Style – KEYTHORPE HALL – LE7
If you are looking for a traditional country house with a modern update, still within driving distance of London, look no further than Keythorpe Hall. This wonderful country mansion combines high-spec finishes with heritage colours. Its refurbishment has been achieved without compromising any of its original features.
The colours lend themselves easily to a Christmas story, and there are plenty of places to position a tree, hang baubles and set your Christmas table. The scale of the property definitely lends itself to a big Christmas with all the trimmings.
The reception room has a large, stately marble fireplace, is decorated in a calm mid-tone green and, wait for it, has a grand piano perfect for those sing-along Christmas carols-choir optional-there’s definitely room for one. The hallway, with its warm red tones, could accommodate the largest of Christmas trees, while the second reception room, painted in a sandy shade, positively glows and creates a welcoming setting for drinks, opening gifts and simply being together.
The kitchen would shoot any TV chef ready to cook up a storm, while the dining room is large enough for everyone to fit in for the grand festive lunch. When it comes to bedrooms, you are absolutely spoilt for choice, with a wonderful variety of guest rooms and styles. There are even two matching single beds, which is a really sought-after setting when the guest bedroom brief comes in.
For your upscale, luxurious Christmas, this is the spot. For variety in backgrounds, surfaces and colour palettes, it’s really worth considering.
https://lovelocations.co.uk/location/keythorpe-hall/
ornate doorways
original features, including ornate ceiling mouldings
grand piano
marble fireplace
wooden floorboards
beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms
kitchen fit for a chef
kitchen island
statement hallways
sweeping wooden staircase
variety of guest bedrooms
large dining room with long table
choice of reception rooms
four-poster bed
outdoor space
Don’t Forget to Book Your Studio
If you need a studio in your Christmas schedule, it’s good to be an early bird—especially if you’re going to need a run of consecutive days. We have many options, with backdrops, storage and set-build facilities, large and small, lifestyle or an empty canvas. Give us your brief and we’ll help you problem-solve.
With studios across London and beyond, we’re well placed to support productions of every size.
https://lovelocations.co.uk/studios/
Some Insider Tips
As we all know, Christmas props and products can take up a surprising amount of space, so locations with rooms that won’t be used for shooting can be a real bonus for packing and unpacking.
A pre-shoot day is incredibly useful if the budget allows, giving you time to unpack, organise and style everything before cameras roll. Christmas shoots almost always take longer than regular shoots thanks to decorating trees, styling tables and dressing multiple sets.
Remember that Christmas shoots often take place during the hottest weeks of summer, so fill the freezer with ice creams and lollies and make sure there is plenty of water available to keep the crew cool.
Pre-wrap all gifts and presents wherever possible. It saves a huge amount of time and avoids unnecessary stress on set.
It can be hard to conjure up festive spirit in the middle of summer, so create a Christmas playlist to help everyone get into the mood. The cheesier, the better.
And finally, don’t underestimate the clean-up. Tinsel, glitter and artificial snow have a habit of finding their way into every corner and crevice. It may be worth booking a cleaner or bringing along a powerful vacuum cleaner for the end of the shoot.