Filming in Gloucestershire: permits and fees
Gloucestershire County Council manages filming on county highways and land, while Gloucester Cathedral, Woodchester Mansion, and the Cotswolds each fall under their own management.
Who issues permits
Gloucestershire County Council handles filming on county highways and county-managed land. The county’s major filming locations operate independently: Gloucester Cathedral is managed by the Dean and Chapter with its own filming application process, Woodchester Mansion is managed by the Woodchester Mansion Trust, and the Cotswolds district council areas come under Cotswold District Council for local public land.
Process
Contact Gloucestershire County Council for highway and county land filming applications. Allow three weeks; longer for road closures on the A46, A4173, or key Cotswold routes. For Gloucester Cathedral, apply directly — the cathedral has a dedicated filming and photography coordinator and has hosted major film and TV productions extensively. For Woodchester Mansion, contact the Mansion Trust directly.
Fees
County highway filming fees are set on application. Location hire for county-managed assets is individually priced. Gloucester Cathedral has established commercial filming rates — enquire directly. Woodchester Mansion Trust negotiates fees based on production scale.
What’s covered
County highways across Gloucestershire, including the roads into and around the Cotswolds. County-managed parks and green spaces. Gloucester Cathedral (cathedral’s own process). Woodchester Mansion (trust’s own process). County car parks and public rights of way.
Typical restrictions
The Cotswolds AONB covers a large portion of the county — landscape impact assessments are required for large-scale filming. Gloucester Cathedral is a working place of worship and has specific filming windows around services and events. Woodchester Mansion is open only on limited days; filming must work around the Trust’s opening schedule or be arranged as exclusive hire. Many Cotswold villages have narrow streets and limited parking for unit bases.
Contact
- Email: contact@gloucestershire.gov.uk
- Web: gloucestershire.gov.uk
Apply via Gloucestershire County Council → gloucestershire.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Gloucestershire County 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?
- Gloucestershire County 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 Gloucestershire County Council's filming page at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.