28 December 2023 , 16:00
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Just a stone's throw from Birmingham lies a real treat for anyone who adores getting into the festive spirit: the UK's most Christmas-obsessed village. Alison Brinkworth - senior reporter for Birmingham Live - took a trip to see just what the fairytale village of Finstall had to offer, and found herself transported into the set of a Christmas movie.
The picturesque and quaint village has walks, pubs, and restaurants that will satisfy any visitor year-round, but during the festive period is when it really comes to life. Read on below to hear all about Alison's adventure to Finstall, and just why she recommends anyone who gets the chance makes a trip there over Christmas.
Britain's 'craziest Christmas lights' house shines bright like it's competing in Netflix's Eddie Murphy film Candy Lane and nearby cottages remind passers-by of Cameron Diaz rom-com The Holiday. Welcome to the tiny village on Birmingham's outskirts that feels like being transported into a festive movie world.
There's even a chocolate box building that could be straight out of Muppets Christmas Carol and a renowned local pub that has the warmth and cosiness reminiscent of scenes in Bridget Jones' Diary. This is the charming village of Finstall - one of Bromsgrove's best kept secrets
The UK's 'Craziest Christmas Lights' (Emma Trimble / SWNS)Scenic all year round, it becomes a free festive adventure for thousands of families in Worcestershire every December. This tiny enclave near the Redditch border draws in crowds every night for the special 'Christmas house' decorated by couple Malcolm and Wendy Molloy.
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Their home in Alcester Road, Finstall, can be seen shimmering well before you reach it, sparkling in the crisp winter night sky every evening until New Year. The detached house with its sensational over-the-top display was even featured on Channel 5 show Britain's Craziest Christmas Lights. It's the closest you'll get in the Midlands to experiencing new movie Candy Lane or Matthew Broderick and Danny De Vito film Deck The Halls.
The Molloys have a donation box for charity for those that can spare the change but it's a cheap, or free, way of entertaining the young or Christmas-lovers during what can be an expensive time of year.
A real-life Candy Lane house near Birmingham
Wendy, 63, and Malcolm, a 65-year-old building contractor known as 'Molly', transform their four bedroom detached house into a festive attraction every Christmas. Even with energy efficient LED lights, the display adds over £1,000 to their electricity bill, but the couple have seen the joy it brings so many families.
Eddie Murphy may have the 12 Days of Christmas in Candy Lane, but this popular couple have reindeers on the roof and giant snowmen instead. It's a dazzling display that can't help but bring a smile to your face. You can see what it looks like this year in the video below.
Old school charm and fairytale cottages like in The Holiday
Lying on the edge of Bromsgrove, Finstall is surrounded by countryside and near the pretty Worcester and Birmingham Canal that has an enchanting walk to Tardebigge. Fairytale cottages are dotted around with smoke billowing from chimneys familiar to Cameron Diaz and Jude Law's scenes in The Holiday. There's fields where sheep graze and the odd heron and Canadian Geese are spotted flying by in this picture perfect setting that's part of the Monarch's Way walk.
The village is like 'stepping into a Christmas movie' (Emma Trimble / SWNS)
The UK's 'Craziest Christmas Lights' are back for the twentieth year running (Emma Trimble / SWNS)Homes in Finstall fetched an average of £419,909 over the past year, according to Rightmove. Terraced houses were cheaper at £305,000 and semi-detached properties at £348,333. But most sales were for detached houses that sold for an average price of £489,269. The village hall has a huge Christmas tree outside where locals gather for an annual carol concert, like seen in festive film Last Christmas with Emilia Clarke.
Cosy award-winning British pub in Finstall
The Cross Inn pub at the heart of the village was taken over by Black Country Ales in 2018 and is a cosy haven on a winter's night for real ales and ciders, mulled wine or Prosecco to celebrate the season. No fancy meals but hearty cobs and scotch eggs on the counter along with packs of crisps and pork scratchings.
There's a large beer garden for those that can face the cold at this historic pub that won Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA's pub of the year in 2019. Friendly and lively, it's a proper British pub recreated in films like Bridget Jones' Diary, just keep an eye out for a Mr Darcy.
Short walk from Bromsgrove's foodie scene
A 15 minute walk away is Aston Fields and Bromsgrove Train Station, that is the final destination on Birmingham's Cross City Line. With bustling restaurants and bars including Ascotts and Banners, this has fast become known as Bromsgrove's foodie hotspot detailed here.
There's also the tiny Canary and Kitchen restaurant here, in New Road, which is run by Solihull-born Masterchef contestant Mike Eaglesfield. There's plenty of bars too from 3a bin bar and The Ladybird pub to grab a festive cocktail or mulled cider.
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