Straddling the River Thames, the ‘twin villages’ of Goring and Streatley often get described as a ‘low-key’ version of Henley-on-Thames. In summer, their riverside setting sees the area buzzing with cyclists, walkers and paddleboarders. But come December, the villages shift into festive mode.

The Goring and Streatley Young Musicians Trust kicks things off with its annual ‘Starter Band Christmas Cracker’ at the village hall - an enthusiastic, family-friendly performance of carols and seasonal favourites. Local haunts join in too. The Swan at Streatley hosts events throughout the month, from Christmas jumper nights with live music to evenings of festive chorus from the Goring Chamber Choir.

The highlight, though, is Christmas Eve. Thousands gather for the villages’ torchlight procession, a tradition that sees a river of lanterns and flaming torches wind through the streets to Streatley Meadow, led by the Goring & Streatley Concert Band. Carols rise into the cold night air and it creates one of the area’s most atmospheric festive moments.

Homes here command a premium thanks to the setting and quick London connections. Family homes typically start above £1M, including this five-bedroom property which is currently on the market in Streatley for £1.375M.

Charles Fraser-Sampson, Head of Office in Pangbourne & Henley-on-Thames

Small in population but mighty in festive spirit, Yattendon is the sort of village that seems built for Christmas. As part of a long-established estate, Yattendon has diversified over the years and now lays claim to one of the largest selections of home-grown Christmas trees in England. But this is no simple pick-your-tree-and-leave situation. December in Yattendon feels more like stepping into a rural winter wonderland.

At the centre of it all is Skate the Estate, an ice rink framed by freshly cut Yattendon firs. There’s a merry shop stocked with decorations and gifts, as well as festive food and drink from the estate’s own Vicars Game butchers and Renegade Brewery - ideal for warming up between pirouettes on the ice!

The village calendar is packed throughout the month. There’s everything from traditional carols and wreath-making workshops to a ‘Santa Dash’ fun run and an outdoor performance of George & The Dragon with a seasonal twist.

Dominic Scully, Associate in Pangbourne

Chilham is one of those villages that feels like it has stepped out of time – and especially so during the winter months. Set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the village is centred around a medieval square, framed on one side by a Norman castle and on the other by a 7th-century church. Add a dusting of snow and the whole scene looks as though it’s been lifted straight from a traditional Christmas card. This three-bedroom Grade II Listed home – on the market for £525,000 - sits right in the middle of it all on the village square, making everyday life feel like a period film set.

Chilham’s community is wonderfully tight-knit, and that sense of togetherness only strengthens in December. The village hosts its own carol singing in the square, complete with the lighting of the Christmas tree - a moment that brings everyone outdoors, bundled up in scarves and beaming with joy.

Much of the village is shaped by beautifully preserved Tudor architecture, and inside many of the homes you’ll find dark timber beams, latticed windows and large fireplaces that feel as though they were made just for these long winter evenings.

Edward Church, Head of Office in Canterbury

Few places feel as instantly festive as Shere, a picturesque village set between Guildford and Dorking in the Surrey Hills. Even if you’ve never visited, you may recognise it from the seasonal rom-com, The Holiday, as many of the scenes were filmed here, which has helped to cement its reputation as a picture-perfect Christmas village.

The White Horse pub plays a starring role - it’s where Cameron Diaz’s character meets Jude Law’s. Today, it remains every bit as cosy thanks to its roaring fires and timber beams. Shere’s high street is lined with independent shops, including the much-loved interiors and homeware store SplitFigs. It’s a high street that promises to coax even the most committed online shopper into doing their Christmas buying in person. Thanks to its location in the Surrey Hills, you’re not short of spectacular winter walks here either.

The community gathers in the village square for carols and mulled wine every Christmas Eve – an annual tradition that brings everyone together. If it’s good enough for Richard Curtis, it’s good enough for us.

Ken Roberts, Head of Office in Guildford & Horsham

Mousehole (pronounced “Mow-zel”) is arguably one of Britain’s most visually spectacular Christmas villages. The tradition began in 1963 when local artist Joan Gillchrest suggested illuminating the harbour, and six decades on, the display has evolved into a vast, lovingly maintained installation, with over 7,000 bulbs and involving the entire village.

On 23^rd December, the village celebrates Tom Bawcock’s Eve, when locals gather to eat stargazey pie - a fish pie with pilchard heads and tails poking through the crust, commemorating the fisherman who once saved the village from starvation. Throughout the festive season you’ll be able to warm up from the coastal winds with mulled wine and cider, and hot chocolate, in the village’s beloved pubs and cafés.

A pretty coastal cottage here costs around £500,000, while larger homes are typically £800,000 or more – like Chy-An-Dowr, a family home with sea views and just 200 metres from the harbour. Detached homes such as this are unusual in Mousehole – and even more so with parking.

Alex Taylor, Associate Director covering Cornwall

In many small English villages, the village hall is more than just a building; it’s the beating heart of local life. Northchapel captures this perfectly, with their Hall playing host to the annual festive market, bringing together local crafts, homemade food, raffles and tombolas. It has the feeling of a summer fete but in winter – and crucially, under cover.  

A short drive away is Petworth House, a National Trust property that goes all-in on Christmas. Inspired by the winter solstice and seasonal folklore, the state rooms are transformed for December. Workshops, performances and markets spill across the house and grounds, making it one of the area’s most festive days out.

Northchapel’s green is lined with traditional terraced and semi-detached period homes, but the surrounding lanes have plenty of larger country houses tucked away. One such example is this five-bedroom Grade II listed home currently on the market for £1.75M.

Jenette Soulsby, Head of Office in Haslemer

If your idea of Christmas involves frost-tipped scenery and a real chance of snow, Braemar is your village. Set deep in the Cairngorms, this Highland community feels like a true winter wonderland once December arrives. The Christmas light switch-on is certainly a highlight of the local calendar, complete with the Braemar Choir and plenty of mulled wine, yet it’s Christmas Eve that steals the show. Each year, a reindeer parade winds through the village, lantern lights carried by local children. The procession leads you to the Fife Arms, one of the Highlands’ landmark hotels, where the evening continues in suitably festive fashion. It’s the kind of tradition children remember for decades and sees families who grew up here return every year.

Properties in Braemar rarely hit the market - and when they do, they often sell fast. This three-bedroom home close to the centre of the village is currently available for offers over £439,000.

Braemar offers a Christmas experience you simply can’t replicate further south: skiing and snowboarding on your doorstep, mountain backdrops, and a real sense of community that has a touch of royalty.

Annabel Blackett, Associate Director in the National Country House Department, covering the North & Scotland

Castle Bytham is a small village of only a few hundred homes - many of them dating back to the 15th–18th century. Its mellow stone cottages and winding lanes certainly feel like the perfect backdrop for winter.

What really sets the village apart though is the way locals throw themselves into creating a feeling of community by hosting events throughout the year, from summer festivals to bonfire night. Christmas is no exception. Each December, the village hosts its much-loved Advent Trail: every household receives a map, and each day a newly decorated window is revealed somewhere in the village. Families head out to hunt for the day’s display, torches in hand, and while it may be designed for children, it’s something everyone plays a part in.

And, of course, there are two welcoming pubs to punctuate the route. The annual Christmas carols lead villagers on a musical stroll from The Fox & Hounds to The Castle Inn, ending with a festive quiz that reliably carries the evening along.

Edward Brassey, Senior Associate Director in Stamford