‘The Holiday' village flower boxes that ‘resemble bins'

Telegraph

02-04-2025

Villagers living in an area made famous by the film The Holiday have criticised wooden boxes installed in the street to block traffic.
Residents say the planters are 'not exactly in keeping' with the chocolate-box look of Shere, set in the Surrey Hills.
Surrey county council introduced the boxes to pedestrianise the village centre, but residents say they look like 'bins'.
Shere, six miles east of Guildford, provided the backdrop for the 2006 Christmas romantic comedy starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet.
Villager Andrew Bullman, 46, said of the scheme: 'They're not exactly in keeping with such a quaint old town. They look like unsightly bins.
'I also don't really understand the need for them. This isn't exactly an area with major traffic congestion. It's already a pretty pedestrianised area. I imagine the money could have been used better elsewhere.'
Martin Johnson, 78, a former architect, also felt the planters' aesthetic needed some improving.
He said: 'They're pretty ugly but I assume they're half-finished. They're not a great colour – it would be better if they matched the trees or fencing – and they're too high.
'For planters to look good, they need to be lower. Then, they'll look better once they have flowers or trees in them.'
Anna Velody and Sam Mulligan, both 24, often enjoy a day out in Shere – and 'fell about laughing' when they spotted the recent additions.
Ms Velody said: 'They could have been a better colour – they're not very subtle at the moment.'
Mr Mulligan added: 'They're not exactly matching but they're better than bollards. And I'm sure the Tea Shop is happy.'
The village is a tourist draw with fans of The Holiday and also features the White Horse pub where Law's character first encountered Diaz's and their romance began.
Rosehill Cottage, the stone home owned by Winslet's character, never actually existed. Interior shots were filmed inside a studio and the outside was built just for the film, while street scenes were filmed in Shere.
The settlement also featured in Bridget Jones's Diary, with St James' Church the setting for where the parents of Renée Zellweger 's character renewed their wedding vows.
The church also featured in the 2005 rom-com The Wedding Date starring Dermot Mulroney and Amy Adams.
On its website, Surrey council said the planters were recently introduced as part of a scheme to 'create a pedestrianised area and seating for residents to use' in The Square.
Dean Hart, 44, manager at Hilly's Tea Shop, said he was excited by the new pedestrian area and was confident it would be good for the community.
He decided to apply for a pedestrianised area following its success when one was introduced during the pandemic and three years on, the council granted the request.
But neighbours criticised the plan so much that he was forced to take the family business off social media.
Mr Hart said: 'The vision was about creating a space where people can relax in the village.
'It's a place where parents can bring their kids without worrying about cars and roads – and where members of the community can come together.'
He said visitors were already using it and sitting on the benches, but 'there are a lot of people who are unhappy'.
'It's an old-school village and people often don't like change,' he added. 'And unfortunately, we're getting the brunt of it. There's been a lot of abuse. We've taken our business off social media.
'And I get the arguments – they've been placed a bit haphazardly.'
The council 'is considering making the planters smaller', he revealed.
Villager Izzi Lee-Pearse, 34, accused critics of reacting too quickly.
She added: 'They're not done yet. Wait until they're all planted up. As for the size, they need to be big so it's obvious it's a sectioned-off area.'
Paul Colonna, 67, said: 'A lot of other locals might not like them but I do. I think it's good to have an area – especially for children.'
Bob Hughes, a Surrey county councillor, told the BBC the planters were 'an experiment' and something 'more appropriate' would eventually replace them.
Surrey council was approached for further comment.