Filming in Norfolk: permits and fees
Norfolk County Council manages county highway filming; the Broads Authority covers waterway locations, and Norwich city streets go through Norwich City Council.
Who issues permits
Norfolk County Council handles county highways and county land. City and town-level filming routes through local district councils — Norwich City Council for Norwich Elm Hill, Norwich Covered Market, and city streets; North Norfolk District Council for Wells-next-the-Sea and the north coast.
For waterway and broadland filming, the Broads Authority is the relevant permit authority — it operates like a national park and manages navigation rights on the broads network.
Process
Contact the county council for highway filming. For the Broads, contact the Broads Authority. For Sandringham, contact the Royal estate directly. Allow four weeks for all applications.
Fees
County fees on application. Broads Authority fees are set per production. Sandringham is by bespoke agreement with the Royal estate.
The Norfolk Broads
Norfolk Broads are managed by the Broads Authority, a navigation and planning authority with national park status. Any filming using the waterways, riverbanks, or marshes requires Broads Authority involvement. Large floating production equipment needs navigation consent.
Contact
- Email: customer.services@norfolk.gov.uk
- Web: norfolk.gov.uk
Apply via Norfolk County Council → norfolk.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Norfolk 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?
- Norfolk 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 Norfolk County Council's filming page at https://www.norfolk.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.