Filming in North Yorkshire: permits and fees
North Yorkshire Council manages filming permits across England's largest county, covering public highways, parks, and civic buildings.
Who issues permits
North Yorkshire Council became a single unitary authority in April 2023, absorbing the former county council and seven district councils. The council issues permits for filming on council-managed highways, parks, and civic buildings across the county. Many headline filming locations — Castle Howard, Fountains Abbey, and Whitby Abbey — are managed separately by private estates, the National Trust, or English Heritage, each of which issues its own permissions.
Process
Contact the council’s economic development team with full production details, including crew and vehicle numbers, dates, locations, and a risk assessment. Smaller shoots on public land can often be processed within two to three weeks. Anything involving road closures or significant traffic management requires more time — allow at least four to six weeks. The North York Moors National Park falls under a separate National Park Authority and has its own permit process.
Fees
Council permits carry an admin fee. Road closure notices and traffic management orders attract additional charges. Location hire fees for specific council-owned assets are set by the managing department. English Heritage, National Trust, and private estate fees are bespoke and negotiated directly with each landowner.
What’s covered
Council-maintained roads and streets across market towns including Scarborough and Harrogate. Public parks and open spaces. Civic buildings in Northallerton and other towns. Agricultural land and rights of way within council ownership.
Notable locations under separate management
- Castle Howard — private estate, contact direct
- Fountains Abbey and Fountains Hall — National Trust
- Whitby Abbey — English Heritage
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway — independent heritage railway
- Skipton Castle — independent charitable trust
- Allerton Castle — private estate
Contact
- Email: enquiries@northyorks.gov.uk
- Web: northyorks.gov.uk
Apply via North Yorkshire Council → northyorks.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- North Yorkshire 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?
- North Yorkshire 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 North Yorkshire Council's filming page at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.