The village boasts a fairytale cottage that could be from The Holiday, a chocolate box building like in Muppets Christmas Carol and a renowned local pub
Britain’s ‘maddest Christmas lights’ house glows as if it’s vying for a spot in Netflix’s Eddie Murphy film Candy Lane, while neighbouring cottages evoke memories of Cameron Diaz’s rom-com The Holiday. Welcome to the quaint village on the outskirts of Birmingham that feels like stepping into a festive cinematic universe.
There’s even a picture-perfect building that could be plucked straight from Muppet Christmas Carol and a beloved local pub that exudes the warmth and cosiness reminiscent of scenes in Bridget Jones’ Diary. This is the delightful village of Finstall – one of Bromsgrove’s best-kept secrets.
Scenic throughout the year, it transforms into a free festive spectacle for thousands of Worcestershire families every December. This small pocket near the Redditch border attracts crowds nightly for the special ‘Christmas house’ adorned by couple Malcolm and Wendy Molloy.
Their residence on Alcester Road, Finstall, can be spotted twinkling from afar, lighting up the crisp winter night sky every evening until New Year.
The detached house with its extravagant display even made an appearance on Channel 5 show Britain’s Craziest Christmas Lights. It’s the closest you’ll get in the Midlands to experiencing the new movie Candy Lane or Matthew Broderick and Danny De Vito’s film Deck The Halls, reports Birmingham Live.
The Molloys have set up a donation box for charity for those who can spare some change, offering a cheap, or even free, form of entertainment for youngsters or Christmas enthusiasts during what can often be a costly time of year.
A real-life Candy Lane house near Birmingham
Wendy, 63, and Malcolm, a 65-year-old building contractor affectionately known as ‘Molly,’ transform their four-bedroom detached house into a festive spectacle every Christmas.
Despite the energy-efficient LED lights, the display adds over £1,000 to their electricity bill. However, the couple are more than happy to bear the cost, given the sheer joy it brings to numerous families.
Eddie Murphy may have the 12 Days of Christmas in Candy Lane, but this beloved couple boasts reindeers on the roof and giant snowmen instead.
It’s a mesmerising display that inevitably brings a grin to your face.
Old school charm and fairytale cottages like in The Holiday
Perched on the outskirts of Bromsgrove, Finstall is enveloped by countryside and lies close to the charming Worcester and Birmingham Canal, which offers a magical walk to Tardebigge.
Quaint cottages dot the landscape, with smoke wafting from chimneys reminiscent of scenes from The Holiday featuring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. Fields where sheep graze and occasional sightings of herons and Canadian Geese flying by add to the picture-perfect setting that forms part of the Monarch’s Way walk.
According to Rightmove, homes in Finstall fetched an average of £419,909 over the past year. Terraced houses were cheaper at £305,000, and semi-detached properties averaged at £348,333.
However, most sales were for detached houses, which sold for an average price of £489,269.
The village hall is adorned with a massive Christmas tree where locals congregate for an annual carol concert, reminiscent of the festive film Last Christmas starring Emilia Clarke.
Cosy award-winning British pub in Finstall
The Cross Inn pub, nestled at the centre of the village, was acquired by Black Country Ales in 2018 and serves as a cosy retreat on winter nights for real ale and cider enthusiasts, or those looking to enjoy mulled wine or Prosecco to mark the season. While it doesn’t offer fancy meals, it does provide hearty cobs and scotch eggs on the counter, along with packets of crisps and pork scratchings.
For those brave enough to face the chill, there’s a spacious beer garden at this historic pub that bagged Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA’s pub of the year in 2019.
Friendly and vibrant, it’s a quintessential British pub akin to those depicted in films like Bridget Jones’ Diary – just keep your eyes peeled for a Mr Darcy.
Short stroll from Bromsgrove’s culinary scene
Just a 15-minute walk away lies Aston Fields and Bromsgrove Train Station, the final stop on Birmingham’s Cross City Line. With bustling restaurants and bars including Ascotts and Banners, this area has quickly gained a reputation as Bromsgrove’s foodie hotspot.
Also located here, on New Road, is the quaint Canary and Kitchen restaurant, run by Solihull-born Masterchef contestant Mike Eaglesfield.
There are plenty of bars too, such as 3a bin bar and The Ladybird pub, perfect for enjoying a festive cocktail or mulled cider.