EXT. WEST COUNTRY — REGION

Filming locations in the West Country.

West of Dorset the peninsula narrows into Devon and Cornwall, with Somerset to the north: two coasts, two national parks, moorland, levels and a long Atlantic edge. Permission is more fragmented here than anywhere else in the south of England. This is the map of who grants what.

● The short version

There is no single film office for the West Country. Cornwall runs one council permit system for its own land. Somerset runs one through Screen Somerset. Devon has none at county level: Devon County Council deals with the highways only, and council land sits with the district and city councils, with Plymouth and Torbay as separate authorities. The Dartmoor and Exmoor national park authorities can only grant permission on the land they own — most of both moors is private. Private land everywhere needs the owner’s permission and a location agreement, which is the part EXT. handles.

● THE GROUNDTERRAIN & WHAT IT READS AS

Two coasts, two moors and the levels.

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The coasts

The north coast faces the Atlantic: high cliff, surf beaches and exposed headland from Exmoor to Land’s End. The south coast is gentler — estuaries, harbour towns and coves, running east into the Jurassic Coast, which begins at Orcombe Point in East Devon. In Cornwall the two are a short drive apart.

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The moors and the levels

Dartmoor is granite upland: open moor, tors and valley woodland. Exmoor, smaller and greener, runs down to the sea on the Somerset–Devon border. Somerset adds the flat, drained Levels, the Mendip limestone and the Quantock Hills — a landscape that reads nothing like the coast an hour away.

● ACCESS & LOGISTICSWHO CONTROLS WHAT

The ground under your tripod has an owner.

The quick version for all three counties. Each county has its own page with the detail.

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The West Country at a glance

EXT. WEST COUNTRY — ACCESS SUMMARY
ItemDetail
CornwallCornwall Council land: apply through FilmApp, 10 working days’ notice, £5m public liability and a risk assessment. Cornwall in detail →
DevonNo county permit. Devon County Council handles the highways only; council land is with the district and city councils, Plymouth and Torbay. Devon in detail →
SomersetSomerset Council via Screen Somerset: application, risk assessment, public liability certificate and the filming code of conduct. Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset are separate councils. Somerset in detail →
DartmoorDartmoor National Park Authority grants permission only on land it owns or leases; most of Dartmoor is privately owned. Minimum 20 working days’ notice.
ExmoorExmoor National Park Authority owns 7% of the land in the park and can only give permission on that.
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.
DronesTwo questions: the landowner’s permission, and the flight itself under the CAA. Drone use on any common land in Dartmoor National Park is an offence.

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

The counties

COUNCIL & PRIVATE Cornwall Atlantic cliff, sheltered south-coast coves, Bodmin Moor and the mining landscape. One council permit system. FRAGMENTED Devon Two coasts, two national parks, and permission split across highways, districts, Plymouth and Torbay. SCREEN SOMERSET Somerset The Levels, the Mendips, the Quantocks and Exmoor’s coast. Published fees and one front door. NEXT DOOR Dorset The heart of the library. Coast, downs and estates — and the Jurassic Coast running west into Devon.

● QUESTIONSFROM PRODUCTIONS

The West Country, answered.

FAQ/01

Is there a West Country film office?

Not one for the whole region. Cornwall Council runs a filming permit system for its own land, advised by the Cornwall Film Office. Somerset Council runs Screen Somerset. Devon has no county permit: Devon County Council handles the highways, and the district and city councils, Plymouth and Torbay handle their own land. Film Devon promotes the county but does not grant permission.

FAQ/02

Do I need a permit to film on Dartmoor or Exmoor?

Only from the national park authority if you are on land it owns. Most of Dartmoor is privately owned, and Exmoor National Park Authority owns 7% of the land in its park. Everywhere else on the moors you need the landowner’s permission. Dartmoor National Park Authority 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.

FAQ/03

How much insurance do West Country councils ask for?

Cornwall Council asks for £5 million public liability insurance and a risk assessment. Devon County Council may ask for proof of £5 million public liability for work on the highway. Somerset Council asks for a certificate of public liability insurance without publishing a minimum on its filming page. Check each at the time of application.

FAQ/04

Can I fly a drone over the West Country coast?

You need the landowner’s permission and must fly within Civil Aviation Authority rules. The National Trust does not allow unauthorised drone operation on its land, and drone use on any common land within Dartmoor National Park is an offence. Somerset Council requires filming permission for commercial drone filming over council land.

FAQ/05

Who do I ask about private houses, farms and estates?

The owner. No council or park authority can grant access to privately owned land. A location library such as EXT. holds those relationships, negotiates the fee and the location agreement, and manages the day with the owner.

● EXT.PRIVATE LOCATIONS

The part no council can grant you.

EXT. is scouting privately owned houses, farms, estates and coast across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset for the library. If what you need is in private hands, that is the route in.