Filming in York: permits and fees
City of York Council manages filming permits in the historic walled city, coordinating with York Minster, the Museums Trust, and English Heritage.
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
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- City of York 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?
- City of York 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 City of York Council's filming page at https://www.york.gov.uk/filming. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.