Filming in Suffolk: permits and fees
Suffolk County Council manages filming on county highways and land; Ipswich, Aldeburgh, Lavenham, and Suffolk's heritage sites each fall under district councils or independent management.
Who issues permits
Suffolk County Council handles filming on county highways and county-managed land. Town-level filming requires additional permissions from district and borough councils — Ipswich Borough Council covers the city, East Suffolk Council covers Aldeburgh beach, Lowestoft Harbour, and the coast, while West Suffolk Council covers Bury St Edmunds and the Lavenham area.
Process
Contact the county council for highway and county land applications. Allow four weeks. For heritage sites, contact independently:
- Framlingham Castle — English Heritage
- Flatford Mill — National Trust
- Orford Ness — National Trust (seasonal access restrictions apply)
- Ipswich Wet Dock — Ipswich Borough Council and ABP
Fees
County highway fees set on application. District council and heritage site fees are negotiated directly.
Coastal and AONB considerations
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Large production vehicles on coastal lanes and beach access tracks require advance planning with East Suffolk Council. Aldeburgh and Southwold are small towns with constrained infrastructure.
Contact
- Email: customer.services@suffolk.gov.uk
- Web: suffolk.gov.uk
Apply via Suffolk County Council → suffolk.gov.uk