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Fed up locals who live in the village where The Holiday and Bridget Jones's Diary was filmed now want to charge visitors to park and use public toilets

10 months ago 44
  • Fed up locals say they are forced to stay in their homes as there are no spaces
  • Shere parish council are planning to introduce parking fees to curb visitors
  • Council also wants to start charging tourists to use public toilets 

By Gina Kalsi

Published: 12:54 GMT, 14 November 2023 | Updated: 12:54 GMT, 14 November 2023

Fed up locals who live in the village made famous by The Holiday and Bridget Jones are now planning to charge tourists to park and use public toilets. 

Residents living in the picturesque village of Shere, Surrey, dread the festive season every year. 

They claim that they are forced to stay in their homes, unable to enjoy activities on their doorstep as their high street is jam-packed with movie fans every Winter.

The tension between homeowners and visitors has risen so much that parish council members are planning to introduce parking fees, according to The Sun. 

Locals hope that this will be able to deter people from visiting and curb the number of cars parked in the village. 

Jim Worsfold, has lived in the village for 30 years and remembers when crews were in the area to film The Holiday.

He told the outlet: 'Parking has become much harder over the years and it's always a struggle to get a spot in the centre.'

The romantic comedy sees Cameron Diaz's character arrive in Surrey and fall in love with a man named Graham (Jude Law)

Fans of the film can enjoy a pint at The White Horse pub in Shere (pictured), which is where Jude Law and Cameron Diaz's characters go on a date

Residents living in the picturesque village of Shere, Surrey, dread the festive season every year. Pictured: The cottage from the film, The Holiday 

Mr Worsfold added that they get visitors from 'all over the world' such as Canada and Australia. 

Another resident, who has lived in the village for more than 18 years and did not want to be named, added: 'It's become so bad now that we want to move, which is such a shame as it's a beautiful village, with lots of lovely walks around it, but the invasion is just too much.'

They also said that their area has become a 'tourist trap' and claimed that a fire engine even struggled driving down a road the other day as vehicles were blocking both sides.

The quintessentially English village is a short drive from London and those wanting to get away for the day can travel to the town in under an hour-and-a-half by car. 

As the scenic countryside location is just a stone's throw away from the bustling capital, housing is being bought up and turned into Airbnbs and holiday rentals.

Shere parish council also wants to start charging visitors to use public toilets in a bid to limit numbers. 

The council is currently in an adjudication process with Shere Recreation Ground Trustees, who own the village car park and a decision is expected to be made on November 15. 

Dr Lynette Nusbacker, who has lived in Shere for 12 years, previously told The Sun: 'The car parks are completely full and people who actually live here have to sit and wait in queues to get a space.

'We decided to create our own private parking area but on the weekends it is 'mysteriously' unlocked and full of other cars.'

The council is currently in an adjudication process with Shere Recreation Ground Trustees, who own the village car park and a decision is expected to be made on November 15. Pictured: Shere in Surrey

Whereas Iris (Kate Winslet) falls head over heels for Miles in California, who is played by Jack Black

As the scenic countryside location is just a stone's throw away from the bustling capital, housing is being bought up and turned into Airbnbs to meet demand

The 2006 Nancy Meyers film is seen as a Christmas classic and is loved by many around the globe.

The plot of the film is that an American woman named Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz) and an English woman named Iris (played by Kate Winslet) swap homes so they can each experience a new place. 

The romantic comedy sees Cameron Diaz's character arrive in Surrey and fall in love with a man named Graham (Jude Law). 

Whereas Iris falls head over heels for Miles in California, who is played by Jack Black. 

Fans of the film can enjoy a pint at The White Horse pub in Shere, which is where Jude Law and Cameron Diaz's characters go on a date.

Parts of Bridget Jones's Diary also features shots from the iconic countryside location. 

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