EXT. CORNWALL — REGION

Filming locations in Cornwall.

Cornwall gives a production two different coasts, open moor and an industrial heritage landscape, all at the end of a long road. The permission picture is simpler than Devon’s: one council permit system for council land, and owners for the rest.

● The short version

Filming on Cornwall Council land — its beaches, woods, parks, gardens and mining sites — needs a permit through FilmApp, with 10 working days’ notice, £5 million public liability insurance and a risk assessment. Fees are paid up front at application. Road closures need a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order with at least 12 weeks’ notice. Much of the coast belongs to the National Trust, which contracts filming through its Filming and Locations Office. Private land needs the owner’s permission and a location agreement.

● THE GROUNDTERRAIN & WHAT IT READS AS

Two coasts and a worked landscape.

GRD/01

The coasts

The north coast is Atlantic: high cliff, big surf beaches and exposed headland, the classic wide shot. The south coast is softer — wooded estuaries, fishing harbours and small coves that read as Mediterranean on the right day. The Lizard and Penwith at the far west have the most open, treeless ground in the county.

GRD/02

Moor and mine

Bodmin Moor is granite upland with tors and reservoirs. Across the west of the county, engine houses, chimneys and spoil heaps are part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site — ready-made period industrial ground. Mining sites are among the land Cornwall Council lists as its own for filming.

● ACCESS & LOGISTICSWHO CONTROLS WHAT

The ground under your tripod has an owner.

Cornwall Council, the National Trust and private owners cover most of what a production needs. This is the short form.

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Cornwall at a glance

EXT. CORNWALL — ACCESS SUMMARY
ItemDetail
Owner / managerCornwall Council (beaches, woods, parks, gardens and mining sites), the National Trust, and private owners and estates.
Permit routeCornwall Council land: FilmApp application. Private land: owner’s permission and a location agreement. National Trust: a contract through its film office.
Notice neededCornwall Council: 10 working days. Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders: at least 12 weeks.
Insurance£5 million public liability insurance and a risk assessment for Cornwall Council land.
FeesPaid up front at application. The fee structure changed on 1 April 2026; current rates are in FilmApp’s key documents.
Unit base & parkingAgreed with the council’s Parking Team, outside FilmApp. Road closures and parking dispensations through Street Works.
ContactCornwall Council events and filming — eventsandfilming@cornwall.gov.uk. The Cornwall Film Office offers advice, locations and crew, and works with the council on permits.
National TrustNational Trust Filming and Locations Office — filmoffice@nationaltrust.org.uk. Filming needs a contract signed by both parties; no unauthorised drone flights on Trust land.
StillsPersonal-use photographs from council land need no permission. Commercial use needs a FilmApp application.

Requirements last checked 16 October 2026. Verify current figures and notice periods with the authority before you rely on them.

Where in Cornwall

MIXED OWNERSHIP North coast Atlantic cliff and surf beaches. Ownership varies between the council, the National Trust and private owners — confirm at booking.
MIXED OWNERSHIP South coast & estuaries Harbour towns, wooded creeks and coves. Confirm ownership at booking.
WORLD HERITAGE SITE Mining landscape Engine houses and spoil ground across the west of the county. Council-owned mining sites go through FilmApp.
OWNERSHIP VARIES Bodmin Moor Granite upland, tors and reservoirs. Ownership varies — confirm at booking.
REGION The West Country Devon and Somerset next door, and how permission differs in each.

● QUESTIONSFROM PRODUCTIONS

Cornwall, answered.

FAQ/01

Do I need a permit to film in Cornwall?

On Cornwall Council land, yes. Commercial filming and photography on council-owned beaches, woods, parks, gardens and mining sites needs a permit through the council’s FilmApp system, with 10 working days’ notice, £5 million public liability insurance and a risk assessment. Private land needs no council permit — it needs the owner’s written permission and a location agreement.

FAQ/02

How do road closures work for filming in Cornwall?

Through Cornwall Council’s Street Works team, not FilmApp. A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order needs a minimum of 12 weeks’ notice. Unit bases are agreed separately with the council’s Parking Team.

FAQ/03

Who do I ask to film on the National Trust coast in Cornwall?

The National Trust Filming and Locations Office at filmoffice@nationaltrust.org.uk. All commercial filming at places in the Trust’s care needs a contract signed by both parties, and unauthorised drone operation is not allowed on Trust land.

FAQ/04

What does the Cornwall Film Office do?

It gives productions filming advice, locations and crew contacts, and works closely with Cornwall Council on permits for council land. It does not grant access to private land.

FAQ/05

Can I take photographs on a Cornish beach without a permit?

Personal-use stills from council land need no permission. Once the images are for commercial use, Cornwall Council requires a FilmApp application.

● EXT.PRIVATE LOCATIONS

The part no council can grant you.

EXT. is scouting privately owned houses, farms and coast in Cornwall for the library. If a location you need is in private hands, that is the route in.