Do I need a permit to film at Caerphilly Castle?

Yes — filming on or around Caerphilly Castle typically requires a permit. Allow roughly 5–10 working days lead time for most UK councils. Interior shoots on private property may also need owner consent.

Is parking available at Caerphilly Castle?

On-site parking is available at Caerphilly Castle. Capacity varies — confirm crew-vehicle numbers with the venue before the day.

How much does it cost to film at Caerphilly Castle?

Caerphilly Castle sits in the ££ band. Typical UK film-location day rates range from under £200 for simple interior shoots to well over £1,000 for period properties and landmark venues. Confirm with the venue directly.

What crew size is suitable for Caerphilly Castle?

Caerphilly Castle can accommodate a large crew of 15+ including feature-film unit requirements, trucks, and extras.

Has anything been filmed at Caerphilly Castle before?

Caerphilly Castle appears on Filmshoot's UK location index because it has a documented track record or strong characteristics for film and photography. Specific production credits aren't displayed unless publicly confirmed by the venue — ask the venue directly or check ScreenSkills and IMDb Locations for verified credits.

Caerphilly Castle — film location in Caerphilly

Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly · CF83

Summary

A 13th-century concentric moated castle in south Wales, the second largest castle in Britain, managed by Cadw and used repeatedly by Doctor Who for episodes including The End of Time (2009), The Vampires in Venice (2010), Robot of Sherwood (2014), and Heaven Sent (2015).

About this location

Caerphilly Castle stands in the centre of the town of Caerphilly in the county borough of Caerphilly, south Wales, approximately seven miles north of Cardiff. It was built from 1268 by Gilbert de Clare, the Red Earl of Gloucester, as part of his campaign to control Glamorgan against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales. The castle represents one of the first concentric castle designs in Britain — a castle-within-a-castle, with an inner ward surrounded by a lower outer ward, the whole set within an artificial lake system created by damming two streams. The water defences cover approximately 30 acres and make Caerphilly the largest water-defended castle in Britain after Windsor.

The inner ward contains the main domestic ranges, including a great hall (rebuilt in the 1320s–1330s for Hugh Despenser the Younger) which survives with its medieval timber roof trusses, and the residential eastern range. The south-eastern tower leans at an angle of 10 degrees from the vertical, the result of partial demolition ordered during the Civil War, giving it a visible tilt that makes it a distinctive landmark. The east dam platform, the west gatehouse, and the outer ward survive in varying states of preservation. The castle passed to the Crown in the 16th century and fell into ruin before being excavated and consolidated from the 1870s by the Marquesses of Bute. It has been in state care since 1950 and is managed by Cadw.

Doctor Who has made extensive use of Caerphilly Castle as a filming location. The End of Time (2009, the David Tennant regeneration story) used the residential quarters of the East Gatehouse, the Constable’s Hall, and the Braose Gallery to represent a dungeon in the fictional Broadfell Prison. The Vampires in Venice (2010, Series 5) filmed at the castle. The Rebel Flesh and The Almost People (2011, two-part Series 6 story) used the castle for location sequences. Robot of Sherwood (2014, Series 8) filmed at Caerphilly. Heaven Sent (2015, Series 9, written by Steven Moffat and starring Peter Capaldi) made use of the castle exterior and interiors.

Enquire upstream

Route through Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Visit source →

Access notes

Parking: On-site parking available — confirm crew-vehicle capacity with the venue.
Loading access: Loading access not listed. Confirm access points, door widths, and lift availability with the venue before the day.
Public transit: Caerphilly has mainline rail and regional bus connections. Check the nearest station and allow for equipment on-foot from transit.

Ask us about this location

Quick question before you enquire upstream? We often know day-rate ranges, permit lead times, or a direct-to-owner shortcut not shown on the source page.

On the map

Caerphilly — drag to pan, scroll to zoom.

Access process

Cadw

Cadw is the Welsh Government's heritage body, managing 130+ castles, abbeys and historic sites across Wales.

Lead time: 4–6 weeks typical.
Fees: Generally lower than National Trust or English Heritage equivalents — day rates often in the £300–£1,500 range, subject to scale.

cadw.gov.wales — filming and photography →

Student productions: reduced rate on application.
Most Cadw sites are open ruins or walled monuments — crew access relatively flexible.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to film at Caerphilly Castle?: Yes — filming on or around Caerphilly Castle typically requires a permit. Allow roughly 5–10 working days lead time for most UK councils. Interior shoots on private property may also need owner consent.
Is parking available at Caerphilly Castle?: On-site parking is available at Caerphilly Castle. Capacity varies — confirm crew-vehicle numbers with the venue before the day.
How much does it cost to film at Caerphilly Castle?: Caerphilly Castle sits in the ££ band. Typical UK film-location day rates range from under £200 for simple interior shoots to well over £1,000 for period properties and landmark venues. Confirm with the venue directly.
What crew size is suitable for Caerphilly Castle?: Caerphilly Castle can accommodate a large crew of 15+ including feature-film unit requirements, trucks, and extras.
Has anything been filmed at Caerphilly Castle before?: Caerphilly Castle appears on Filmshoot's UK location index because it has a documented track record or strong characteristics for film and photography. Specific production credits aren't displayed unless publicly confirmed by the venue — ask the venue directly or check ScreenSkills and IMDb Locations for verified credits.