Filming in Greenwich: permits and fees
Greenwich covers the historic maritime town, Woolwich, Blackheath, and Eltham with a mix of heritage and suburban settings.
Who issues permits
Greenwich Council’s filming team issues street and public space permits. Greenwich Park is managed by The Royal Parks. The Old Royal Naval College is managed by the Greenwich Foundation and handles its own location bookings independently.
Process
Apply to Greenwich’s filming team for streets and council land. Allow five working days for standard applications. Old Royal Naval College enquiries go directly to the Foundation’s location hire team.
Fees
Standard London borough rates for council-controlled land. Old Royal Naval College has its own published location hire rates. Greenwich Park fees are set by The Royal Parks.
What’s covered
Streets in Greenwich, Woolwich, Eltham, Blackheath, and Charlton. Blackheath Common public open space. Council civic buildings. Council parks excluding Greenwich Park.
Typical restrictions
Greenwich Park requires Royal Parks permission. The Old Royal Naval College is entirely separate. Woolwich Arsenal area has a mix of council and private management.
Contact
Apply on the Greenwich Council website → royalgreenwich.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Royal Borough of Greenwich 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 5 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?
- Royal Borough of Greenwich 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich's filming page at https://www.royalgreenwich.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.