General guidelines
- Permission required: All filming and photography must be agreed in advance.
- Drone use: Drones are not permitted on any Kent Wildlife Trust reserve unless explicitly authorised via our reserves permit system. More on our drone use policy here.
- Environmental protection: Filmmakers must stay on designated paths and avoid damaging habitats, especially during sensitive seasons for bluebells, orchids, and other wildlife.
- Insurance: Proof of £10 million public liability insurance is mandatory. Please submit insurance documents to: [email protected]
- Non-commercial /amateur photographers: We encourage amateur photographers and welcome their creativity in capturing the beauty of our reserves. However, it’s essential that all visitors adhere to our guidance on prohibited activities (see section below) to ensure our fragile habitats and wildlife remain protected for everyone to enjoy.
- Student filming: We welcome the enthusiasm of student filmmakers and aim to support educational projects wherever possible. However, due to the growing number of requests we reserve the right to decline applications where the staff time required is excessive or outweighs the benefit to the Trust. Please note that night-time filming and the use of fires are strictly prohibited and will not be permitted under any circumstances.
Location fees
Fees are determined based on scale, crew size, and potential impact. Additional staff supervision is charged at £45/hour if required. KWT reserves the right to decline requests where the impact or staff requirements outweigh the benefit to the Trust.
Please be advised that if your request for filming is approved, payment must be received in full at least one week prior to the scheduled date. Therefore, your filming application must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the proposed filming date. Filming will be unable to proceed otherwise.
| Type of filming | 1/2 day (+VAT) | Full day (+VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Documentaries, short films, educational, or non-wildlife news | £200 | £300 + 50% per subsequent day |
| Commercial photography, fashion, corporate videos | £500 | £1000 + 50% per subsequent day |
| Music videos or commercials | £500 | £1000 + 50% per subsequent day |
| Student, charity, or amateur projects | Donation | Donation |
| Feature films | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| TV dramas, reality shows, entertainment | £300 | £500 + 50% per subsequent day |
| News, current affairs, amateur/non-commercial photography | No charge | No charge |
Prohibited activities
Applicants must confirm that they will not:
- Remove/move soil, rocks, plants, or wildlife
- Light fires or use naked flames
- Block paths or public access
- Use vehicles or remove infrastructure (gates, fences, walls)
- Drill into or damage natural features
- Use drones without permission
- Bring animals (e.g. dogs)
- Deface or paint natural elements, including powder paint
- Stray more than 5m off designated paths
- Install temporary structures
Our drone use policy
At Kent Wildlife Trust, the protection of wildlife, habitats, and visitor experience is our top priority. To that end, the use of drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) on our nature reserves is strictly controlled.
Learn more