Filming in Pembrokeshire: permits and fees
Pembrokeshire County Council manages filming on county highways and land; most coastal locations fall within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which has a separate permit process.
Who issues permits
Pembrokeshire County Council covers filming on county highways and council land. Much of the county’s most-filmed coastal landscape sits within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which has its own permit authority entirely separate from the county council.
Key locations and their managers:
- Barafundle Bay — Pembrokeshire Coast NPA
- Tenby Harbour — Pembrokeshire County Council
- Pembroke Castle — Cadw
- Pembroke town — Pembrokeshire County Council
Process
Contact the county council for town-level and highway filming. For coastal and cliff locations, identify whether the site is within the National Park boundary — if so, apply to the Pembrokeshire Coast NPA directly. Cadw handles Pembroke Castle. Allow four weeks for all applications.
Fees
Council fees on application. National Park and Cadw fees are set by their respective bodies.
Access to coastal locations
Barafundle Bay is accessible via the car park at Stackpole Quay — no vehicles beyond the car park. Most cliff-top access tracks in Pembrokeshire are managed by the National Park or Natural Resources Wales. Plan vehicle logistics carefully and confirm access routes with the relevant authority before committing to a shoot.
Contact
Apply via Pembrokeshire County Council → pembrokeshire.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Pembrokeshire 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?
- Pembrokeshire 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 Pembrokeshire County Council's filming page at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.