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London is one of the world’s most popular filming locations, offering everything from historic landmarks to modern skylines. But before you roll camera, you’ll need to navigate permissions, permits, and regulations. This guide outlines what you should know to film legally and smoothly in London in 2025.

Step 1: Identify the Location and Ownership

  • Public vs. Private: Work out if your chosen site is publicly owned (streets, parks, borough land) or privately owned (housing estates, squares, corporate property). Many iconic spaces that appear public – like Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square Gardens, or the South Bank – are administered by specific authorities or trusts.
  • Private property: Always seek consent directly from the landowner, property manager, or venue hire office.

Resources: Film London – Borough Film Services

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Step 2: Contact the Borough Film Service (BFS)

Every London borough operates a Borough Film Service. They manage filming on streets, council-owned land, and public buildings. BFS teams can advise you on:

  • Whether permission is required for your shoot
  • Application forms and fees
  • Parking and traffic management
  • Local restrictions and lead times

Step 3: Permissions, Notices & Licences

  • Notice of No Objection: For smaller shoots, councils may issue a statement confirming they have no objection. This acts as written evidence of permission.
  • Police & Highways: If your production involves stunts, replica weapons, uniformed actors, or road use, you must notify the Metropolitan Police and relevant highways departments.
  • Transport for London (TfL): TfL controls red routes, bus lanes, and the entire transport network (Underground, Overground, trams, piers). Filming here requires a dedicated TfL permit, fees, insurance, and often staff supervision.
Tower Bridge, The Shard and City Hall, Wapping, London, UK
a lawyer explains the details of a car insurance policy and all the costs to a client, a lawyer explains to a client what will happen if she dose not have car insurance

Step 4: Insurance, Risk Assessment & Releases

  • Insurance: Public Liability Insurance is mandatory – minimum £5 million cover, rising to £10 million for larger productions or high-risk shoots.
  • Risk assessment: Councils and TfL usually require a detailed risk assessment covering crew, equipment, and public safety.
  • Release forms: If you film identifiable individuals for commercial purposes, you should obtain signed consent.

Step 5: Lead Times & Fees

  • Notice periods: Small, low-impact shoots may be approved in 3 working days. Larger productions, or those requiring road closures, cranes, drones, or complex setups, should allow 10 working days or more.
  • Fees: Costs vary by borough and location. Expect to pay for:

    Location hire (streets, parks, squares)
    Parking suspensions
    Road closures or traffic management
    Administrative or late-notice fees
    TfL location charges (stations, trains, piers)

Recent update: As of August 2025, the City of London has revised film application and administration fees. Always check the latest borough fee schedule.

Resources: City of London – Filming Fees

5 Fees
Big Ben in sunny autumn day

Step 6: Special Considerations

  • Landmarks: Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, and City bridges require Greater London Authority (GLA) permission. These spaces have specific charges and terms of hire.
  • Privately managed public areas: Many plazas, developments, and shopping districts (e.g. Canary Wharf, King’s Cross) require direct negotiation with their estates teams.
  • Transport filming: TfL and Network Rail both have strict application processes and staff requirements. Applications typically need scripts or storyboards in advance.

Quick Checklist Before You Shoot

  • Identify who owns/manages the location
  • Contact the Borough Film Service or landowner
  • Apply for permits or Notices of No Objection
  • Secure insurance (min. £5m Public Liability)
  • Complete a risk assessment
  • Budget for fees and charges
  • Obtain release forms if filming people
  • Allow enough notice time for approvals

Summary

London offers unbeatable backdrops for film and photography, but permissions are essential. Plan early, budget for fees, and liaise with the right authority – whether that’s a borough, TfL, the police, or a private estate. With preparation, your shoot can run smoothly and legally in one of the world’s busiest cities.