Filming in Buckinghamshire: permits and fees
Buckinghamshire Council manages filming on public highways and council land; Waddesdon Manor, Cliveden, and Stowe are National Trust sites with separate permit processes.
Who issues permits
Buckinghamshire Council, formed as a unitary authority in April 2020, manages filming on county highways and council land. The National Trust holds three major filming destinations in the county: Waddesdon Manor, Cliveden, and Stowe — all of which have their own filming enquiry routes through the National Trust’s national media team.
Process
Contact Buckinghamshire Council’s environmental or events team for highway filming and council land applications. Allow four weeks. National Trust properties require a separate application via the National Trust’s commercial filming team. Pinewood Studios near Iver Heath is a private production facility — all access goes through the studio’s own production services team.
Fees
Highway filming fees are set by the council. Location hire for council parks and civic assets is priced on application. National Trust property fees are set separately by each trust.
What’s covered
Council highways and roads across the county. Aylesbury town centre public space. Council parks and countryside. Civic buildings in Aylesbury.
Chilterns AONB
The Chilterns is a nationally designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Large productions involving significant vehicle movements or ground disturbance in the Chilterns hills may require consultation with the Chilterns Conservation Board in addition to Buckinghamshire Council.
Contact
Apply via Buckinghamshire Council → buckinghamshire.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Buckinghamshire 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?
- Buckinghamshire 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. 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 Buckinghamshire Council's filming page at https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.