Filming in Wessex
Permits Made Simple
Filming in any public or managed location in the UK requires permissions and, in many cases, a formal filming permit. In the Wessex region, filming permits and location management are handled by two dedicated film offices — one covering the BCP conurbation and one covering Dorset County.
Screen Wessex works in close partnership with both film offices and can help direct you to the right team for your production.
BCP Film Office
Area covered: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
The BCP Film Office is the dedicated contact for all filming enquiries within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. They manage:
- Filming permits and permissions on BCP Council-managed land and public spaces
- Location introductions across the BCP conurbation
- Road closure and traffic management coordination
- Liaison with BCP Council departments (highways, parks, licensing)
- Support for commercial, drama, documentary and photographic productions
Whether you’re shooting on the seafront at Bournemouth, in the parks, along the promenade, or in Poole Old Town and the Quay, the BCP Film Office is your first port of call.
Dorset Film Office
Area covered: Dorset County (including Dorchester, Weymouth, Bridport, Wareham, Swanage, Shaftesbury, and the Jurassic Coast)
The Dorset Film Office is the dedicated contact for all filming in Dorset. They manage:
- A comprehensive online location library for Dorset
- Filming permits on Dorset Council-managed land
- Liaison with landowners, estates, and natural environment managers
- Support for productions filming on the Jurassic Coast and in AONB/protected landscapes
- Coordination with police, highways, and other local authorities
Dorset is a county of exceptional variety and historical significance. The Dorset Film Office team has deep knowledge of the county and can help you find exactly what you need.
What If My Production Spans Both Areas?
Many productions film across both BCP and Dorset. In these cases, you will need to liaise with both film offices separately — they each cover their own jurisdiction. Screen Wessex can help coordinate introductions to both teams to make the process as smooth as possible.
General Guidance on Filming in the UK
If you are an international production unfamiliar with the UK filming landscape, here is a brief overview:
- Public land — most public land in the UK requires a permit for professional filming. This includes parks, beaches, streets, and other council-managed spaces.
- Private land — permission must be obtained directly from the landowner or estate manager.
- Police liaison — for larger productions, particularly those involving road closures or crowd management, early liaison with local police is essential.
- Insurance — all professional productions filming in the UK are expected to hold appropriate public liability insurance (typically £5 million minimum).
- Health & Safety — productions must comply with UK Health & Safety legislation and conduct appropriate risk assessments.
Screen Wessex can signpost you to further resources and advice on all of the above.