Guidelines for filming, recording and photography in our parks

The borough welcomes filming in the parks that is consistent with one or more of the following aims:

  • promoting our parks as special natural environments and historical landscapes
  • respecting the values of our parks, our users and stakeholders
  • raising the profile of the Royal Borough and our parks as tourist destinations in foreign and home markets

We will assess all filming requests according to these aims along with existing scheduled events, planned maintenance work, potential security risks, ceremonial activities and political sensitivities

How to film in the borough's parks

There are five main steps you will need to carry out with us before you can film in our parks:

1. Pre-application advice

The borough welcomes an initial conversation and/or site visit with film-makers to discuss the logistics of your request and determine from an early stage what we may and may not be able to achieve.

You should direct your enquiries to the Filming Contact for parks.

Film-makers must provide as much detailed information and notice as possible, for example:

 
  • proposed dates and times
  • potential locations
  • content and nature of the script or relevant script pages
  • talent, previous experience
  • use of helicopters
  • gun-fire/fire-arms
  • nudity
  • reference to royalty politicians or public figures
  • public liability insurance

  • potential stunts
  • special effects
  • pyrotechnics
  • wet-downs
  • road closures
  • numbers of vehicles, cast, crew and extras
  • equipment
  • parking and budget
 


We will give Location Managers and Producers early warning when any aspect of their proposal is not possible and the borough will always strive to find a compromise or alternative location.

After we have had discussions with film-makers to agree activities you should submit a formal application in writing.

2. Formal application and site visit / planning meeting

You should make your application using the borough’s official application form only.

You should include a copy of your Public Liability Insurance (minimum £5 million. £10 million for large-scale productions) along with your method statement and risk assessment if necessary.

We aim to acknowledge receipt of all applications within 24 hours and no later than 48 hours.

For the legally binding Code of Practice outlined on the Filming in London website please see. Film London – Code of Practice.

We will assess all the requests to film on a case by case basis, taking into account the various sensitivities and other commitments of the Parks but with a flexible approach aimed at helping film-makers to meet their creative brief.

We recommend a planning meeting and/or site visit to confirm logistical arrangements at this stage once we have generally agreed the request.

3. Agree a fee

The Royal Borough is committed to proactively raising income to benefit the conservation and presentation of the Parks and will therefore charge for location filming in most cases. The fee will include administration and VAT.

The Filming Contact will be happy to quote for a range of additional services based on your specific requirements. We will charge for these services at cost.

4. Sign legally binding contract and receive permit

Once both parties have agreed a fee, you have completed all the forms and we have received a copy of your liability insurance, we will issue a permit to film, we will hold this in Holland Park reception for the named representative on your application to collect.

5. De-brief

The borough welcomes a conversation or meeting once filming is completed to discuss what worked and what didn’t in order to continually improve our service to film-makers and photographers. After filming / photography has taken place we will raise an invoice that you should pay within 30 days.

News and current affairs

If you intend to use material filmed or photographed in a park for news and current affairs then you should discuss it with The Royal Borough’s Press Office. Contact: pressbox@rbkc.gov.uk.

Special considerations

Amateur and student photographers

The borough supports amateur and student photographers taking photographs for their private portfolios, educational coursework or other non-commercial use. You must complete a basic form confirming that you will not use the images for any other purpose.

The borough will waive all fees where possible to amateur and student photographers. Students must produce a letter on headed paper from their educational establishment confirming their student status, along with a risk assessment and/or method statement if necessary.

Student film-makers

The borough supports emerging talent and will waive fees where possible to student film-makers. You will need to follow the standard application process described in the 'How to Film in the Borough's Parks' section and students must produce a letter on headed paper from their educational establishment confirming their student status as well as method statements and risk assessments.

Filming contacts

If you would like further information about filming filming/ photography in any of the borough’s parks please contact:

For filming / photography in any of the borough’s parks:

Filming and Special Events office
Pembroke Road Council Offices
37 Pembroke Road
London W8 6PW
Telephone: 020 7341 5762
Fax: 020 7341 5200

For filming / photography on the borough's streets:

Local Authority Governance Services
Kensington Town Hall
Room 235
Hornton Street
London W8 7NX
Telephone: 020 7341 5762
Fax: 020 7361 3665