Filming on the jurassic coast

The Jurassic Coast is a popular filming location, with a long history of starring as the backdrop for films, TV programmes, photo-shoots and promotional videos. The Jurassic Coast is 95 miles long and covers two counties, and as a result its land, sea and airspace is subject to a variety of filming license conditions, fees and regulations, emanating from a variety of landowners and organisations.

On this page we have compiled a general overview of the Jurassic Coast’s main landowners, with links to each. Please consider this information as a first port of call if you are planning on conducting a film or photography shoot on the Jurassic Coast. Visit the Filming in England website for more general information, or Contact Us for further information on filming at specific locations on the Jurassic Coast.

Filming at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door 

The area in and around the village of West Lulworth in Purbeck, Dorset, is a famous filming location. Hollywood films including Nanny McPhee, Elizabeth, Singularity and World War Z have all been filmed in this area, as well as a number of TV commercials, educational films, and documentaries.

This part of the Jurassic Coast and its hinterland is owned and managed by the Lulworth Estate, and encompasses 12,000 acres of coast and countryside. Lulworth Estate has been owned and managed by the Weld family since 1641.

Contacting Lulworth Estate

Lulworth Estate have a dedicated filming team, who can be reached by email or by calling 01929 400352.

If you would like to take photos on the Estate for non-personal use, or for engagement and proposal photography purposes, please contact their team to purchase a licence or view their Couples Photography policy here.

Please note that the operation of drones in a personal capacity anywhere on the Lulworth Estate, including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, is not allowed.

Filming at National Trust Sites

Parts of the Jurassic Coast are owned and managed by the National Trust, including Dancing Ledge, Old Harry Rocks, Burton Bradstock (Hive Beach) and Branscombe. Use the National Trust’s Land Map to see the full range of National Trust sites along the Jurassic Coast.

Filming or photography cannot be undertaken at National Trust sites without permission, PLI insurances produced, a contract being in place, and a fee paid.

Contact the National Trust’s Film Office by email to discuss your requirements.

Please note that all aerial activity above National Trust sites is prohibited unless specific permission is granted, according to an existing byelaw. See the National Trust’s Drone Flying policy for more information.

Dorset Council Filming Requests

Dorset Council manages filming requests for popular locations such as Weymouth Beach, Esplanade and Harbour, West Bay Harbour and Lyme Regis Harbour and Cobb.

Please visit the Filming Permit section of Dorset Council’s website for more information, including fees and required notice period.

Filming in East Devon

East Devon is home to some picturesque Jurassic Coast locations including Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth.

East Devon District Council has a comprehensive step-by-step guide available to filming in these  and other nearby locations.

Filming at Natural England Sites

The Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, which runs between Lyme Regis and Axmouth and includes Monmouth Beach, is managed by Natural England.

Natural England filming requests are fielded by Locality, a UK film and photoshoot location agency.

The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate manages around half of the foreshore (the land between mean high and mean low water mark) surrounding England, and grants permission for Unmanned Aerial Device (UAD) (drone) flights over said foreshore.

This permission is subject to operators complying with the applicable laws, statutes, regulations and codes, as well as the requirements of The Civil Aviation Authority, and obtaining necessary consents for the operation of UADs.

To find out which areas of foreshore are owned by the Crown Estate, please use their Foreshore and Estuary Ownership Map.