Filming in Cornwall: permits and fees
Cornwall Council's Film Office manages filming across the county, from Charlestown's historic harbour to St Buryan and the Penwith coast, coordinating permits for council land, highways, and beaches.
Who issues permits
Cornwall Council’s Film Cornwall office coordinates all filming on council-managed land, highways, and public spaces across the county. The team acts as a single point of contact for location managers, liaising with highways, estates, and parish councils. Many of Cornwall’s most recognisable filming locations are independently managed — National Trust properties, English Heritage sites, and private harbours each require separate agreements.
Process
Contact Film Cornwall with production details, proposed dates, and a risk assessment. Allow three to four weeks for standard permits; longer for road closures or filming in sensitive coastal areas. The team can advise on tide times and weather windows for coastal shoots. For Charlestown, which is a working harbour, production logistics must be coordinated with the harbour master separately.
Fees
Fees are set on application and vary by production type, duration, and location. Cornwall Council charges location fees for council-owned land and administrative fees for highway closures. Commercial rates apply for major productions; reduced rates may be available for smaller budgets. Contact Film Cornwall for a tailored quotation.
What’s covered
Council-managed beaches, parks, car parks, and public open spaces. Charlestown harbour and seafront (harbourmaster coordination required). St Buryan and the Penwith peninsula villages. Cornwall’s network of coastal paths (National Trust sections require separate permission). County highways for vehicle tracking and road closures.
Typical restrictions
The South West Coast Path and coastal verges are environmentally sensitive — drone filming near protected habitats requires Natural England consultation. Summer filming on popular beaches and in tourist villages (Charlestown, St Ives, Padstow) demands advance booking and traffic management. The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers much of the coast; conditions apply to large-scale productions within AONB boundaries.
Contact
Apply via Film Cornwall → cornwall.gov.uk/film-in-cornwall
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Cornwall 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 21 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?
- Cornwall 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 Cornwall Council's filming page at https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/film-in-cornwall/. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.