Coal tit on camera - Bob Coyle
Filming and photography on our Nature Reserves
Filming on our Nature Reserves
Our nature reserves have been used as locations by a wide range of media. The nature of requests vary widely and we are usually happy to accommodate them if possible as long as disturbance to wildlife can be kept to a minimum.
If you're not sure which of our reserves would best suit your requirements, please contact us to tell us more about what you are looking for, and we can advise what might suit you best.
Commercial filming
A request to film on a nature reserve or other land managed by the Trust involves a location fee. The fee structure below is based on the scale of work and number of people involved. Each request will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis taking into account the impact of the filming on location and visitors and the perceived benefits to the Trust for participating in the filming. We reserve the right to charge for additional staff time on top of these agreed fees, should the filming operation require significant Trust involvement or overseeing. We reserve the right to refuse filming requests.
Commercial photography
Commercial photographers wishing to use nature reserves for location photo shoots - such as our ancient bluebell woods - should always seek permission - and stick to paths, ensuring bluebells or any other plants are not trampled (damage to wildlife or habitats has happened in the past and is not acceptable).
Drones
For the safety and enjoyment of other visitors, and to protect wildlife from disturbance or injury, we do not allow drone flying from or over Somerset Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves. The only exception being contractors or staff who satisfy stringent Civil Aviation Authority criteria, have specific insurances and have been commissioned or authorised by the Trust for a specific purpose to assist our conservation work – and in these cases the activity is strictly controlled.
Our reserves are important areas for wildlife and many of them are used for breeding. These sites are sensitive to disturbance; for instance, birds may feel threatened by drones and abandon their nests.
Not-for-profit
We receive a large number of requests from film students and from not-for-profit organisations who want to film on our reserves. We wish we could offer concessions on our filming fees but we have found - particularly with some of the more sensitive sites - that the admin and paperwork required take up considerable amount of time for reserve managers who are already stretched so we are unable to do do.
In all cases, photographers and film crews wishing to use nature reserves for location shoots should always seek permission - and stick to paths, ensuring plants are not trampled and wildlife is left undisturbed.
Location prices
Using Somerset Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves as a backdrop for filming
| Type of filming | Half day ( + VAT) | Full day (+ VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Public access reserve used as backdrop for filming | £225 | £375 |
| Closed access reserve used as backdrop for filming | £300 | £450 |
| A particularly sensitive habitat (SWT must be present for ANY filming which takes place) | £300 + £75 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time | £450 + £150 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time |
Species-focused filming
|
Type of filming |
Half day (+ VAT) | Full day (+ VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Filming a species on our reserve with staff support to locate species | £300 + £75 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time | £450 + £150 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time |
| Above, but with on-air credit applied (i.e. "We're at Somerset Wildlife Trust's Ubley Warren Reserve today, filming X") or equivalent on-screen written credit | £200 + £75 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time | £300 + £150 (+ VAT) for SWt staff time |
| On-camera interview with SWT staff member with a species focus, on location | £300 + £75 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time | £450 + £150 (+ VAT) for SWT staff time |
Get in touch
If you're not sure which of our reserves would best suit your requirements, or to discuss your options further, please contact us by emailing kirby.everett@somersetwildlife.org or calling 01823 652 413.