Filming in Hertfordshire: permits and fees
Hertfordshire County Council manages county highway filming; Hatfield House, Knebworth House, Elstree, and Leavesden Studios all have independent access arrangements.
Who issues permits
Hertfordshire County Council manages filming on county highways and county land. The county’s eleven district and borough councils handle town-level filming separately. Two of England’s most active studio complexes sit in Hertfordshire — but both Leavesden (Warner Bros. Studios) and Elstree Studios have completely private access arrangements that bypass the county council entirely.
Process
Contact the county council’s highways team for road filming. Allow four weeks minimum. For key filming locations:
- Hatfield House — Salisbury Estate, contact direct
- Knebworth House — Lytton Estate, contact direct
- Leavesden Studios — Warner Bros. Studio Tour production services
- Elstree Studios — Elstree Studios production services
Fees
County highway fees on application. Location hire for county-managed assets is priced individually.
Studio access note
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and Elstree Studios are private production facilities. Filming access for both is managed entirely by their own production services teams — no county council involvement in studio booking or access.
Contact
- Email: enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk
- Web: hertfordshire.gov.uk
Apply via Hertfordshire County Council → hertfordshire.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Hertfordshire 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 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?
- Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire County Council's filming page at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.