Filming on our nature reserves

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire

Making a location request
 

From professional photography, video filming to TV dramas and feature films, our nature reserves have been used as locations by a wide cross-section of media. The nature of requests vary widely and it would help us to process any initial location request by completing a simple form, below, detailing key information such as the intended audience for the work, number of film crew (plus presenters/actors if applicable), intended date of filming and length of filming.

Location fees vary according to length of filming, e.g. day/half day rates, and the nature of the enterprise. We have guidelines designed to ensure that requests are treated fairly and consistently, and which provide checklists for allowing individuals or companies access to film on our land.

Drones: the use of drones also requires permission, the Trust has an in-house licensed drone pilot and anyone seeking permission for any reason should be a fully licensed pilot. 

Commercial photographers wishing to use nature reserves for location photo shoots - such as our ancient bluebell woods - should always seek permission - and stick to paths, ensuring bluebells or any other plants are not trampled (damage to wildlife or habitats has happened in the past and is obviously not acceptable).

Pricing matrix

A request to film on a nature reserve or other land managed by the Trust involves a location fee. The fee structure below is based on scale of work and number of people involved. Each request will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis taking into account impact of the filming on location and visitors, and the perceived benefits to the Wildlife Trust for participating in the filming. We reserve the right to charge for additional staff time (£45 per hour) on top of these agreed fees should the filming operation require significant Wildlife Trust involvement or overseeing. We reserve the right to refuse filming requests where staff time required is excessive or where the staff time required outweighs benefit to the Trust.

PLEASE NOTE: We are experiencing an increasing number of requests from film students. While we wish to encourage film making, these often involve unrealistic numbers of personnel and lengths of time (night time filming and requests for fires are never granted permission!). We typically request donations in these circumstances as a goodwill gesture.

Film request form

Please fill in the form below if you would like to film on one of our nature reserves.

We will use the data supplied above to assess your request for filming. We promise to keep your details safe and secure and we will never sell your data. If you would like to know more about about how we manage your data please view our privacy policy.

Filming prices