EXT. DEVON — REGION

Filming locations in Devon.

Devon has two separate coastlines and two national parks. It is also the hardest place in the South West to work out who to ask, because nobody issues a county-wide filming permit.

● The short version

Devon County Council does not issue filming permits. As highway authority it asks to be told about filming on the roads, wants at least 12 weeks for any temporary traffic restriction, and may ask for proof of £5 million public liability insurance. Council land belongs to the district and city councils, and Plymouth and Torbay are separate authorities with their own routes. On Dartmoor the park authority can only grant permission on the land it owns — most of the moor is private — and asks for at least 20 working days’ notice. Private land needs the owner’s permission and a location agreement.

● THE GROUNDTERRAIN & WHAT IT READS AS

Two coasts and two moors.

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The coasts

The north coast is Atlantic — high cliff, surf and long beaches. The south coast is estuaries, red cliff and harbour towns, and in the east it becomes the Jurassic Coast, which starts at Orcombe Point by Exmouth. Plymouth adds a working naval and commercial port.

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Dartmoor and Exmoor

Dartmoor is open granite upland with tors and wooded river valleys — some of the largest open country in southern England. Exmoor, shared with Somerset, is smaller, greener and runs down to the sea. Both read as remote within minutes of a road.

● ACCESS & LOGISTICSWHO CONTROLS WHAT

The ground under your tripod has an owner.

Permission in Devon depends on who owns the ground and which council area it is in. This is the short form.

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Devon at a glance

EXT. DEVON — ACCESS SUMMARY
ItemDetail
HighwaysDevon County Council: no filming permits issued. Tell it about filming on the roads; temporary traffic restrictions need at least 12 weeks; tell affected residents and businesses at least 28 days ahead. Contact csc.roads@devon.gov.uk · 0345 155 1004.
Council landThe district and city councils manage their own land — North Devon, Mid Devon and Exeter, for example, each publish their own filming guidance.
Plymouth & TorbaySeparate unitary authorities. Film Plymouth for Plymouth; Film Torbay, through FilmApp, for Torbay.
DartmoorDartmoor National Park Authority: only on land it owns or leases, such as Haytor Down and Holne Moor. Minimum 20 working days’ notice, risk assessment, signed licence, public liability up to £5m. Officer time £60 an hour or £360 a day plus VAT.
ExmoorExmoor National Park Authority owns 7% of the park and can only give permission on that land.
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.
Private landNo council permit. The owner’s written permission and a location agreement.
DronesDevon County Council cannot give formal permission for drones. Drone use on any common land in Dartmoor National Park is an offence; commercial requests elsewhere on the moor need landowner permission and CAA documentation.

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

Where in Devon

MOSTLY PRIVATE Dartmoor Granite upland and river valleys. The park authority owns only a small part; the rest is landowners and commons.
MIXED OWNERSHIP North Devon coast Atlantic cliff and surf beaches. Confirm ownership at booking.
MIXED OWNERSHIP South Devon & the estuaries Red cliff, harbour towns and wooded rivers. Confirm ownership at booking.
JURASSIC COAST East Devon Where the World Heritage coast begins, at Orcombe Point. REGION The West Country Cornwall and Somerset next door, and how permission differs in each.

● QUESTIONSFROM PRODUCTIONS

Devon, answered.

FAQ/01

Who gives permission to film in Devon?

It depends on the land. Devon County Council does not issue filming permits; it deals with filming on the highway. Council land belongs to the district and city councils, Plymouth and Torbay have their own routes, the two national park authorities grant permission only on land they own, and private land needs the owner’s permission and a location agreement.

FAQ/02

How much notice does a road closure for filming in Devon need?

Devon County Council asks for applications for temporary traffic restrictions at least 12 weeks in advance, and for affected residents and businesses to be told at least 28 days before filming. Filming on the road without traffic management uses the council’s notice-only events form.

FAQ/03

How do I get permission to film on Dartmoor?

Most of Dartmoor is privately owned, so for most locations you ask the landowner. Dartmoor National Park Authority grants permission only on land it owns or leases, such as Haytor Down and Holne Moor. It asks for at least 20 working days’ notice, a risk assessment, a signed licence agreement and proof of public liability insurance up to £5 million, and charges officer time at £60 an hour or £360 a day plus VAT.

FAQ/04

Can I fly a drone on Dartmoor?

Not on common land: drone use on any common land within Dartmoor National Park is an offence. Elsewhere, commercial drone filming is considered case by case and needs the landowner’s permission and the relevant Civil Aviation Authority documentation in advance.

FAQ/05

Is Film Devon a permit office?

No. Film Devon promotes filming in the county. Permission comes from whoever owns the land, and from Devon County Council for anything affecting the highway.

● EXT.PRIVATE LOCATIONS

The part no council can grant you.

EXT. is scouting privately owned houses, farms and estates in Devon, on and off the moors, for the library. If a location you need is in private hands, that is the route in.