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Filming and photography on our land

Introduction

Filming and photography supports the Welsh economy, plays an important role in raising the country’s profile as a visitor destination and brings enjoyment to many. We want to encourage responsible filming and photography on Natural Resource Wales’s (NRW) managed land and have outlined, here, how we can achieve this.

Definition

Here, we explain the types of filming and photography visitors can undertake on NRW managed land. This includes:

  • Recreational - Amateur photography or filming (non-commercial)
  • Film - Feature films or local productions – for streaming, cinema or DVD releases
  • TV - Productions for TV and associated online channels: dramas, mini-series, light entertainment, documentaries, education
  • News - News for national or local broadcast
  • Other Commercial - Film and photography for promotional and other commercial purposes – including music videos, photoshoots and creative media

Please note: This statement doesn’t cover the use of drones for filming and photography

Where you can go without needing our permission

Handheld filming and photography equipment is a typical accessory for recreation. While on foot, you can film or photograph for recreational purposes on all public rights of way and open access land.

When you’ll need permission from us

  • If the filming or photography is for film, TV or other commercial purposes, you’ll need our permission and you may have to pay a charge.
  • If the filming or photography is for a news item, you’ll need our permission but there won’t be any charge.

How we support filming and photography

  • We will follow our Guiding Principles for community involvement with land that we manage.
  • We welcome filming and photography on our sites as long as the operation is practical and doesn’t contradict our core values or cause damage to the environment.
  • We apply a fee structure based on the type and scale of your activity. Which includes:
    • The length of time you need to use the site
    • How long it takes to return the site to normal
    • The size of the operation (how many extra facilities are needed e.g. catering, welfare, make-up, lighting, equipment and parking)
    • NRW staff time to manage the operation
    • Legal fees
  • We may reduce or waver charges for films or photography made on the estate if we feel it directly promotes NRW’s work.

What you’ll need to do

  • Provide enough lead-in time for the type and scale of your operation, especially for larger operations needing exclusive use or third party permissions (e.g. from other land owners). Insufficient lead-in time can cause NRW serious management issues, please make sure you contact us in good time.
  • Secure sites sufficiently during filming and incorporate effective public safety into your planning and management of filming operations. As NRW managed land is open to the public, you must always take due care of public safety during any operation carried out on our land.
  • Provide any extra resources you need to inform other users and manage public access during filming. This is particularly important if an operation needs added infrastructure, such as improved access for vehicles, catering units or film sets, or if an operation needs the site exclusively.
  • Make plans to ensure no trace of your operation is left and sites are returned to their previous condition – especially for large operations where site reinstatement can take more time and resources.
  • If you’re planning to film in areas designated for nature conservation, please ensure you have all necessary licences well in advance. In these areas, we’ll be particularly cautious about the operation’s impact on conservation features.
  • Make sure to give us sufficient warning if you intend to use helicopters or drones during filming. Aerial filming can disturb wildlife and other site users, and create an invasion of personal privacy. Also, there may be a resource management issue around landing pads and fuel storage for helicopters. Please read more about using Drones on our land (link to the Drone Position Statement).
  • Where possible, you should also acknowledge NRW in credits and related publicity.

How you can apply for permission

It will normally take up to 12 weeks to assess an application and complete an internal consultation. This will make sure that your activity or event can be carried out safely without affecting others who are using or working on our land. 

Apply for permission to film, organise an event or carry out an activity on our land

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