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Filming and photography in Westminster

We welcome filming and photography applications and our team is on hand to help you plan a safe and successful shoot.

Locations

Private land

You do not need to apply to us for permission to film on private land unless you need parking suspensions. Please contact Environmental Health if you have any special effects or activity that may require a licence.

Location guide

  • Big Ben - streets to include in your application: Bridge Street, Great George Street, Parliament Square (south and east pavements) and Parliament Street
  • Chinatown - streets to include in your application: Dansey Place (LCCA must be consulted) , Gerrard Place, Gerrard Street (Chinese Gate), Lisle Street, Macclesfield Street (Chinese Gate), Newport Place, Wardour Street (Chinese Gate)
  • Houses of Parliament - streets to include in your application: Abingdon Street, Old Palace Yard
  • River Thames - streets to include in your application: Waterloo Bridge, Golden Jubilee Bridge. Please see the non-council locations section below for information about Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge.
  • Soho - streets to include in your application: Greek Street, Frith Street, Dean Street, Wardour Street, Berwick Street, Broadwick Street, Beak Street, Great Marlborough Street, Ramillies Street, Brewer Street
  • Trafalgar Square - streets to include in your application: King Charles Island, Morley’s Hill, Trafalgar Square North Terrace

Non-council locations

Some public locations are privately owned or managed such as the Royal Parks, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. A list of some popular locations that are not owned or managed by the council are below. Please contact them directly for permission to film.  

Unit bases

Our unit bases are for large production vehicles that cannot park elsewhere including Winnebagos, toilets, catering vehicles and trailers. We provide separate guidance on unit base operations.

There are three locations in Westminster that can be used as unit bases:

  • Lincoln’s Inn Fields
  • St. James’s Square (weekends only)
  • Waterloo Place

You can book a unit base for a maximum of five days, including turnaround days. Spaces get booked up as much as three months in advance so we advise booking early.

Please contact us to check availability, conditions and book. 

Published: 7 January 2021

Last updated: 6 March 2024