Londoners Inspired by Christmas Classics to Plan Winter Holidays
December is just around the corner, which means it’s nearly time to start rewatching the Christmas classics. Some Londoners are taking inspiration from the cult festive films to plan their winter holidays — according to new research from Kindred.
The global home swapping platform’s new survey revealed that 42 per cent of Londoners say they love The Holiday and would be open to a home swap in the future, while 21 per cent say that the film has already inspired them to do a home swap à la Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.
The research also found that Diaz’s glamorous Los Angeles mansion and Winslet’s cosy Surrey cottage topped the list for film or TV homes Londoners would most want to stay in if they had the chance.
The Magic of The Holiday
Justine Palefsky, CEO of Kindred, said: “The magic of The Holiday isn’t just the escape — it’s the feeling of belonging. When you swap homes, you step into someone else’s everyday world — their neighbourhood cafés, their favourite walks – and suddenly, travel becomes richer and more human. It’s not about ticking off landmarks; it’s about discovering new versions of yourself in new places.”
LA: The Top Destination for Home Swapping
Meanwhile, a quarter (24 per cent) of Londoners said they would most like to do a home swap in LA in 2026, while internal data from Kindred has seen a 145% year-on-year boom in UK members planning home swapping trips to LA this December.
Where else would Londoners love to stay?
The survey revealed that Londoners may be taking inspiration from other movies for their holidays. Following the homes featured in The Holiday, the luxury estate and/or private Greek island in Knives Out films, Emily’s apartment from Emily in Paris and the Home Alone house were listed as the most popular destinations to visit if it were possible.
Top Film and TV Homes to Stay In
- The luxury estate and/or private Greek island in previous Knives Out films
- Emily’s apartment from Emily in Paris
- The Home Alone house
- The apartment from Friends
- The Cousins beach house from The Summer I Turned Pretty
- The vampire’s glass house in the woods from Twilight
- The Cohen’s house from The O.C.
- Keira Knightley’s apartment from Love Actually
- Gavin or Stacey’s family homes from Gavin & Stacey
Why Home Swapping is Becoming Popular
Home swapping is becoming increasingly popular among Londoners, with many seeing it as a unique and exciting way to experience new destinations. By staying in someone else’s home, travellers can immerse themselves in the local culture and community, and gain a more authentic experience of the place they are visiting.
The Benefits of Home Swapping
Home swapping offers a range of benefits, including the opportunity to stay in unique and characterful properties, often at a lower cost than traditional accommodation options. It also provides the chance to connect with local people and experience the destination like a true insider.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Londoners are taking inspiration from Christmas classics to plan their winter holidays, with many considering home swapping as a unique and exciting way to experience new destinations. With its range of benefits and opportunities to connect with local people, home swapping is set to become an increasingly popular trend in the world of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is home swapping?
A: Home swapping is a type of accommodation where two parties agree to swap homes for a set period of time, often for a holiday or vacation.
Q: What are the benefits of home swapping?
A: The benefits of home swapping include the opportunity to stay in unique and characterful properties, often at a lower cost than traditional accommodation options, as well as the chance to connect with local people and experience the destination like a true insider.
Q: How do I get started with home swapping?
A: To get started with home swapping, you can join a home swapping platform, such as Kindred, and create a profile for your home. You can then browse the profiles of other members and arrange a swap that suits your needs and preferences.
Q: Is home swapping safe?
A: Home swapping can be a safe and secure way to travel, as long as you take the necessary precautions and follow the guidelines set out by the home swapping platform. This includes thoroughly researching the other party, reading reviews and testimonials, and ensuring that you have a clear agreement in place before the swap.
