Filming and photography on reserves

Our reserves have it all - from the wide vistas and dramatic landscapes of the Dales, peaceful wetlands and bluebell-carpeted woodlands to the beautiful chalk cliffs of Flamborough and unique Spurn Point.

These places in our care are an inspiring backdrop for photography and filming and we are delighted to help with any enquiries.

If you are interested in taking commercial photographs or filming on one of our reserves, please contact us via our webform and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Make an enquiry

Please note that drone use is restricted on our reserves. Find out more here.

For broadcast news and media interviews on location, please contact the team at media@ywt.org.uk

Taking photographs or filming wildlife and our wild places with a handheld camera for private, non-commercial use is welcome on Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s reserves - do tag us in on social media if you share it!

Photographs or footage taken must not be used to earn money, promote business or given to photography libraries or agencies without our permission.

We welcome responsible filming and photography - please follow The Wildlife Trust's guidance. 

Our unique locations provide incredible backdrops for professional photoshoots, film locations or features for television programmes. In recent years we have welcomed the Yorkshire Vet, Grand Designs, Escape to the Country, Antiques Road Trip and commercial businesses.

It is vital that we minimise any disturbance to wildlife or wild places, and many filming events require additional time and support from our colleagues. We therefore charge a location fee for most commercial filming.

The money raised from location fees helps to support conservation work across Yorkshire, continuing our work looking after nature, beauty and history for generations to come.

Our location fees are set on a sliding scale and staff support, exclusive access and closure of the reserve, as well as night filming incur additional charges.

All filming and commercial photography at places in our care takes place under contract.

Make an enquiry

Drone flying from or over Yorkshire Wildlife Trust land must have our permission in advance. Requests are considered on a case by case and must also have landowner permission, CAA certification, a Flier ID (for piloting), proof of an Operator ID and appropriate insurance.

If you suspect drone filming is happening without permission or is disturbing wildlife during breeding or winter feeding times, please send all evidence and information to the regional wildlife crime officer.

Use on reserves which have special protection

Additional permission is needed from Natural England if you are flying over protected landscapes, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These include (but are not limited to) Spurn Point NNR, Flamborough Cliffs and parts of Potteric Carr.

Filming with a drone on SSSIs falls under the list of ONREC designations which mean Yorkshire Wildlife Trust must get permission from Natural England before this activity can take place. Natural England could take several weeks to approve drone flight requests.  

Student projects are welcome on our reserves and do not usually incur a charge. However, you must have an agreement in place with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust before commencing any photography or filming on the reserve.

Submit an enquiry

Please submit an enquiry to discuss your project. These include but are not limited to:

Music videos
Fashion shoots
Images for books or newspapers
Tourist board activity
Using images and film from our reserves to promote your business
Photography courses taking place on our reserves

You must have an agreement in place with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust before commencing any of these activities, as it is likely they will incur a fee.