Popular Locations
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The London skyline is recognised the world over, and its streets of architecture spanning centuries offers a wealth of opportunity for productions of all kinds. Filming the iconic buildings and views that make London so distinctive from a public street is free, but you need to be sure you have the correct permissions. And we are here to help!
Who to contact for permission
Although it is free to film on a public street, you will need to get permission from the relevant Borough Film Service and may be charged an administration fee by them. You will also be charged for any additional Council service. Find out more about working with boroughs.
Because of the way that London is divided into different councils, the angle from which you film an iconic building or place will affect which local authority you will need to contact for permissions. Many locations that allow for public access are privately owned or managed.
The camera position maps below provide contact details for both local authority and privately managed locations. Please be aware, you will need a permit for any privately managed location and a filming fee will likely be charged.
Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
Several different bodies manage permissions for filming in and around Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The position from which you want to film will affect who you need to ask.
Download Big Ben camera positions and contacts for permission
Buckingham Palace
Filming at this royal residence is heavily controlled. Generally commercials or filming relating to specific brands will not be considered. Please give as much notice as possible when applying to film (a minimum of 5 working days will usually be required). A location fee will be charged in most cases.
To film exteriors of the Palace, on The Mall, Birdcage Walk, Horse Guards Parade or the area surrounding St James's Palace please contact The Royal Parks on +44 (0)300 061 2111 or email film@royalparks.org.uk.
The Royal Parks should also be contacted for permission to film the Changing of the Guard.
Permission to film inside Buckingham Palace is rarely granted. The Palace press office can be contacted on +44 (0)20 7839 1377.
Canary Wharf
Two different bodies manage filming at Canary Wharf.
Download Canary Wharf camera positions and contacts for permissions
Covent Garden
Two different bodies manage filming at Covent Garden.
Download Covent Garden camera positions and contacts for permissions
Imperial War Museum
For filming inquires please contact 44 (0)20 7416 5392 or filming@iwm.org.uk.
Leicester Square
Although it is open to filming, the square is always busy and is particularly crowded in the evenings and at weekends.
Applications to film in Leicester Square should be made to the Special Events & Filming Team in the City of Westminster. Email SpecialEventsEP@westminster.gov.uk or call 020 7641 2390.
Download a floor plan of Leicester Square and filming contacts
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Most of the square is in the borough of Camden, but the south quarter is in the City of Westminster. Download the floorplan for borough boundaries, the location of the pay and display meters, ticket machines and other parking bays.
Download a Lincoln's Inn Fields floor plan and filming contacts
London's Bridges
The boundary line for boroughs on either side of The Thames runs through the middle of the river – splitting authority over London's bridges in two. For filming purposes the majority of boroughs have agreed that one will take responsibility for an entire bridge.
Find the correct contact for all of London's Bridges
Tower Bridge camera positions and contacts
Some of the bridges are Red Routes so you may also need to contact Transport for London.
The London Eye
Several bodies manage the spaces around the London Eye. For most, filming permissions the London Eye press office on 020 3889 6766 or email pressoffice@londoneye.com. Find out more on the London Eye website.
London's Transport Network
Each type of transport – London Underground, Transport for London, River Services, London's City Airport, Network Rail, Eurostar and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) – has its own filming contact and welcomes requests to film.
Natural History Museum
Filming is usually only permitted outside museum opening hours (10am-6pm).
Contact the filming team on +44 (0)20 7942 5434 or email filming@nhm.ac.uk
Visit the Natural History Museum website
The O2 and Greenwich Peninsula
Three bodies are responsible for filming on and around the Greenwich Peninsula.
Download a map of O2 & Greenwich Peninsula with filming contacts
Piccadilly Circus
The Special Events & Filming Team in Westminster is responsible for all on street filming in Piccadilly Circus. Download the map below, mark your intended position for filming and submit it online with your completed Filming Application Form.
Download the floor plan of Piccadilly Circus and filming contacts
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Comprising of the Olympic Stadium, AM Orbit, Lee Valley Velo Park and much more, there are multiple contacts to arrange filming at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The River Thames
There are two key organisations that hold responsibility for the length of the river.
The Port of London Authority presides over 95 miles of the Thames, from Teddington Lock to the sea. Any filming on this part of the river must have their approval and licence.
Any boats used for filming must have a licensed Thames Waterman on board. Charges will be levied for the 'use' of the location irrespective of whether it is river based or land based – where the film crew are land based but filming action on the river.
For filming requests see this page on the Port of London Authority's website.
Find out more about the Port of London Authority.
The Environment Agency manages the non-tidal Thames, from the Cotswolds to Teddington. It is also responsible for the Thames Barrier. Contact Steve East on 020 8305 4132 or email steve.east@environment-agency.gov.uk with your enquiries.
Find out more about the Environment Agency.
The Royal Parks
The Royal Parks are Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park, The Regent's Park, Greenwich Park, Bushy Park, Richmond Park and Kensington Gardens. In addition, The Royal Parks cares for Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens and Grosvenor Square Gardens.
The Royal Parks actively supports and encourages filming but may not grant permission to projects that it deems socially irresponsible or disrespectful.
Fees are flexible and are based on:
- Size of the production
- Number of cast and crew
- Number and size of vehicles
- Amount of time required
- Level of disruption to the public and wildlife
- PR or profile benefit to The Royal Parks
See a full set of Filming and Photography Guidelines for the Royal Parks, with full details of the filming policy, application procedure and filming contacts.
South Bank and Bankside
South Bank and Bankside area stretches over two square miles along the southern bank of the River Thames. The area sits within the boroughs of both Lambeth and Southwark, but many parts of South Bank are divided up by the private organisations and agencies that own and manage the land.
To film along the whole of the river bank you may need to seek permission from more than one organisation – depending on where you place your camera.
Download South Bank and Bankside camera positions and filming contacts
The Tower of London
Filming is allowed at the Tower of London, subject to the size, scale, and appropriate nature of the production and subject to individual negotiation. As a World Heritage Site and the most visited historic attraction in the UK, filming is subject to strict guidelines.
To discuss filming at HM Tower of London contact the Historic Royal Palaces Press Office on 020 3166 6166 or email press@hrp.org.uk.
Find out more about filming at the Tower of London
There are a number of locations from where you can film the exterior of the Tower of London, managed by different parties. Download the map to find out what views you can get and who to contact for filming permission.
Download the Tower of London camera positions and filming contacts
Trafalgar Square
The square has a busy calendar of events and political gatherings but is also available for filming.
Two bodies have responsibility for the area:
The GLA for the centre, contact the Squares Management Team on 020 7983 4750 or email trafalgar.square@london.gov.uk with enquiries.
Westminster City Council for the surrounding areas including the north terrace. Contact the Special Events & Filming Team on 020 7641 2390 or email filming@westminster.gov.uk with enquiries.
The National Gallery is responsible for the paved passageway between the main building and the Sainsbury's Wing of Gallery. For any enquiries about this area please contact the venue hire team on 020 7747 5931 or email venuehire@ng-london.org.uk (mailto:venuehire@ng-london.org.uk).
Download a floor plan of Trafalgar Square and filming contacts
ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo is very film friendly and happy to accommodate production crews of all sizes throughout the year. For all filming enquiries please call 0344 225 1826 or email generalenquiries@zsl.org.
General information can be found on the ZSL London Zoo website.
