Filming in London
As of October 7, 2026: In London, filming requests for locations the local authority manages go to the Borough Film Service of the borough. There are 33 boroughs, each with its own. Those locations include streets, estates, commons, town halls, schools, shopping centres and leisure centres. Some places that look public always need filming permission: the Royal Parks, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, the South Bank, canal and river pathways, and train and Tube stations.
Source: Film London: Get Permission. Last verified October 7, 2026 by Terrell Groggins, photojournalist. This is not legal advice.
Film office and permits
Start with Film London.
Film commission for the United Kingdom: British Film Commission.
Personal: Film London says street filming is straightforward for crews of five people or fewer with hand-held equipment, and links to its Small Crew guide for the rules. Whatever the location, no matter how public it seems, you are likely to need to notify or get permission from somebody.
Commercial: All filming also requires public liability insurance, and you need proof of it to receive permission to film or carry out any commercial photography. To film in a private location, such as a residential property, you apply directly to the property owner.
Sources: Film London: Get Permission
Permits and incentives in the United Kingdom · Drone rules in the United Kingdom
Sun and light, 2026
Local time on the 15th of each month, daylight saving included. Blue hour runs from dawn to sunrise and from sunset to dusk; golden hour runs from sunrise to the morning time shown, and from the evening time shown to sunset. Computed from the city's coordinates.
| Month | Dawn | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Dusk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7:20 AM | 7:59 AM | 8:56 AM | 3:23 PM | 4:20 PM | 4:59 PM |
| Feb | 6:39 AM | 7:14 AM | 8:02 AM | 4:27 PM | 5:15 PM | 5:50 PM |
| Mar | 5:41 AM | 6:14 AM | 6:58 AM | 5:20 PM | 6:05 PM | 6:38 PM |
| Apr | 5:29 AM | 6:04 AM | 6:49 AM | 7:12 PM | 7:57 PM | 8:32 PM |
| May | 4:27 AM | 5:08 AM | 5:58 AM | 7:56 PM | 8:45 PM | 9:27 PM |
| Jun | 3:55 AM | 4:42 AM | 5:36 AM | 8:25 PM | 9:19 PM | 10:07 PM |
| Jul | 4:16 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:52 AM | 8:19 PM | 9:11 PM | 9:55 PM |
| Aug | 5:08 AM | 5:45 AM | 6:32 AM | 7:36 PM | 8:23 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Sep | 6:01 AM | 6:35 AM | 7:19 AM | 6:31 PM | 7:15 PM | 7:48 PM |
| Oct | 6:50 AM | 7:24 AM | 8:10 AM | 5:21 PM | 6:07 PM | 6:40 PM |
| Nov | 6:41 AM | 7:18 AM | 8:12 AM | 3:17 PM | 4:11 PM | 4:48 PM |
| Dec | 7:19 AM | 7:59 AM | 9:01 AM | 2:50 PM | 3:51 PM | 4:31 PM |
Private locations
Homes, warehouses and venues whose owners rent them for shoots are booked through marketplaces such as Peerspace and Giggster.
Last verified October 6, 2026 by Terrell Groggins. Rules change: check the official source before you shoot or post. This is not legal advice.