Filming in York: permits and fees

Who issues permits

City of York Council’s filming service handles public streets and council land. York Minster manages its own permissions independently. The Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens are managed by York Museums Trust. English Heritage manages Clifford’s Tower.

Process

Apply to York’s filming service early — allow at least six to eight weeks for complex shoots involving multiple heritage sites. The council team can help navigate which permissions are needed from which body.

Fees

Admin fees apply for council permits. York Minster, York Museums Trust, and English Heritage set their own location hire fees independently.

What’s covered

City streets including the Shambles and medieval pedestrianised streets. Council parks. Public spaces within the city walls. Council civic buildings. The city walls themselves with specific access protocols.

Typical restrictions

The Shambles and other pedestrianised medieval streets have extremely limited shooting windows due to tourist traffic. York Minster is managed entirely separately. The city walls have specific weight and access protocols for filming equipment.

Contact

• Email: filming@york.gov.uk
• Web: york.gov.uk/filming

Apply on the City of York Council website → york.gov.uk