Filming in Herefordshire: permits and fees
Herefordshire Council manages filming across the county, from Hereford's Cathedral city centre to Eastnor Castle and the rural Marches landscape.
Who issues permits
Herefordshire Council is the unitary authority for the county and handles filming on council-managed land, highways, and public spaces. The county’s headline filming locations are managed independently: Eastnor Castle is a privately owned Gothic Revival castle with its own filming programme, and Hereford Cathedral is managed by the Dean and Chapter. The Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which adds planning considerations for productions working along the river.
Process
Contact Herefordshire Council with production details and proposed dates. Allow three weeks for standard applications. Hereford town centre filming on the High Town and surrounding streets requires coordination with the council’s traffic management team. For Eastnor Castle, apply directly to the castle’s events and filming team — they have an established track record with major productions.
Fees
Council filming fees are set on application. Highway closures and traffic management carry Devon County Council-style charges. Eastnor Castle has established commercial filming day rates — contact the estate directly. Hereford Cathedral charges its own location fees for photography and filming.
What’s covered
Hereford town centre public realm, including High Town, the Cathedral Close (cathedral permission required), and the Old Bridge. Council parks, green spaces, and car parks across the county. Herefordshire highways for road closures. The county’s network of country lanes and rural villages.
Typical restrictions
The Wye Valley AONB imposes landscape protection conditions on any significant filming within its boundary. Hereford town centre has a Conservation Area designation requiring sensitivity to historic fabric. Eastnor Castle operates alongside its events and wedding programme — filming dates must work around the castle’s commercial calendar. Rural lane access for unit bases requires careful planning; many Herefordshire lanes are single-track with very limited HGV capacity.
Contact
- Email: info@herefordshire.gov.uk
- Web: herefordshire.gov.uk
Apply via Herefordshire Council → herefordshire.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Herefordshire 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?
- Herefordshire 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 Herefordshire Council's filming page at https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.