Filming in Bath: permits and fees
Bath & North East Somerset Council manages permits in the UNESCO World Heritage city, with complex heritage landowner structures and premium fees.
Who issues permits
B&NES Council’s filming team issues permits for council-controlled streets and spaces. The Roman Baths are managed by the council’s Heritage Services under a separate booking process. The Royal Crescent is a private residential road — the council cannot grant access to it.
Process
Apply to B&NES filming service as early as possible — Bath is in extremely high demand and certain streets have very limited shooting windows. Allow at least four weeks for central Bath shoots. Heritage Services must be consulted separately for the Roman Baths.
Fees
Heritage city status means permit fees are among the higher end for comparable UK cities. Admin fees plus location hire charges for high-demand areas. Commercial shoots are charged at standard commercial rates.
What’s covered
Council-controlled streets throughout Bath, public gardens including Parade Gardens, council parks, civic buildings. The Roman Baths booking goes via Heritage Services separately.
Typical restrictions
The Royal Crescent, the Circus, and many of Bath’s most-photographed streets involve private landowners — production must research ownership carefully. Bath stone paving throughout the centre has weight limits for vehicles. Physical intervention on any council property is prohibited.
Contact
- Email: filming@bathnes.gov.uk
- Web: bathnes.gov.uk/filming
Apply on the B&NES Council website → bathnes.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Bath & North East Somerset Council issues filming permits for its area. Applications go through the council's filming / events team — not the local parks department or police, although those may also be consulted.
- How long is the lead time?
- Allow at least 28 working days. Complex applications involving road closures, drone use, or multiple locations need more — plan 2–4 weeks ahead where possible.
- What's the typical cost?
- Bath & North East Somerset Council quotes filming fees case-by-case based on scale, duration, and public-realm impact. Small documentary crews are often charged an admin fee only; feature-film shoots involving road closures cost meaningfully more.
- What does this permit cover?
- The permit typically covers streets, parks, civic buildings, commercial. Private property and other national-body land (e.g. Crown Estate, National Trust, Royal Parks) may need separate consent.
- How do I apply?
- Apply via Bath & North East Somerset Council's filming page at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/filming. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.