The Best Locations for a Film Shoot
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect spot to film in the UK, you’ve come to the right place. From homes, art galleries, historic buildings, and castles to studios that offer controlled environments and customisable sets, abandoned factories for gritty scenes, and vast natural landscapes for fantasy and adventure films, Giggster can help you find film shoot locations across Great Britain.
Tell us what you’re planning, where, and when, and we’ll give you a list of curated spaces that match your vision, budget, and style. Perhaps you’re making a short film with your small team, a web or TV series with a unique theme, a promotional video for a local business, a documentary that only a few have covered, or doing your first feature film.
No matter what project you have in mind, Giggster connects you with some of the best film shoot locations that cities like London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester, or Liverpool have to offer. Browse our listings today to discover hidden gems and bring your vision to life.
Film Shoot Locations Curated by Giggster
Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone new to the film industry, Giggster can be your ultimate source for the perfect filming locations that won’t go over your budget. Camera-ready spaces in the UK are within your reach on the Giggster app.
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Every location manager loves a photography and film studio in London. With an open-plan space with lots of natural light, it's all up to you to create the setting you want for your next project.
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If you want that cool, old-school, rough-around-the-edges look, an abandoned-looking warehouse has the vibe and style you want. This type of location hire makes for an exciting shoot, whether for filming or promotional photos.
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For film industry professionals who don’t want to waste time and resources building a new set from scratch, why not book a modern, stylish East London home? With a spacious kitchen, a large living room, an office space, and a modern loft room, everything is set for you. Just arrive with your camera ready to shoot.
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For filming locations in Belfast, check out a Gothic Victorian-style church that’s perfect for wedding scenes, funerals, period dramas, and events. It’s close to some of the attractions in Northern Ireland’s capital, so your production team can explore the area during downtime.
Plan an Amazing Film Shoot Starting at Just £13/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From an Edwardian house with multiple rooms in London and an artistic loft to spacious meeting rooms and dance studios in Leeds, Giggster has 10000 featured locations throughout the UK and beyond for your film shoot, podcast, web series, documentary, or movie.
Hassle-Free Booking: Browse one-of-a-kind film shoot venues, book locations that match the scenes you want to capture, and pay for as little as £13/hour. Do all these and more in just a few clicks on our user-friendly platform, so you can start the shoot in no time.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Film shoot delays are common, and if you need to postpone or cancel your booking, we have you covered. Cancel for free when you do so within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the shoot.
Platform Protections: Book a filming location like Abandoned Vintage Apartment (1970s) without worries about potential damages, liability issues, or disruptions when you use our optional protection packages.
The Best Type of Venue for Your Film Shoot
If you’re in the UK, you won’t have to wonder where to film your next project. With tons of filming locations, excellent connections to the world, and numerous agencies to support film and TV projects, it’s no surprise that every production company wants to work here.
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Studios – Ready for Your Shoot. If the weather doesn’t allow you to shoot outside or you want to create a unique backdrop for particular sequences, a film studio is the place to be. You can control the lighting, minimize unwanted noise, and not worry about the sudden rain or strong winds ruining the shoot or causing delays.
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Stately Homes and Mansions – Properties with Star Qualities. Mansions and houses with multiple bedrooms and spacious areas can double as your production set to create an entire movie and TV series or film a music video. They’re intimate, inviting, and have a homey feel you just can’t replicate on a soundstage.
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Retail Spaces – From Aisles to Action. Grocery stores, boutiques, book shops, and fashion stores with colourful displays—we’ve seen them in many movies and TV shows. They’re easy to relate with and help create everyday moments that make scenes on the small and big screens relatable and authentic.
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Historical Sites – For Period Pieces. Many towns and cities in the UK have a long and rich history, and you’ll see it in their historical sites like old churches, castles, prehistoric monuments, towers, and fortresses. Many of them have been featured in countless movies, series, and documentaries and continue to draw in filmmakers who want to create period dramas or stories that show the country’s past.
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Vehicles – Travel and Chases. Sure, it’s so easy to build a set that looks like the main characters are in a moving car, bus, or train, but it’s different to capture footage inside vehicles. That’s why, despite the tricky process and lots of preparation involved, filmmakers still use vehicles and mount cameras in different parts of the car.
Essentials for a Film Shoot Location
So, you've discovered a location that looks good and you can rent for a low fee. But is it the right place to help you complete your commercial or passion project? Let's explore several film shoot location must-haves, and you decide whether the venues you have in mind have what it takes to be featured in your videos.
Is it safe? Prioritise everyone's safety above all else, be it the actors or crew members. They should be able to navigate the area with ease and not worry about putting their safety in jeopardy, no matter the scenes they need to shoot.
Can you get to the site easily? Some of the most stunning UK filming locations are outside the city centre, especially those scenic natural sites. If you're a small production company or an independent creator on a tight budget or lack the means to book transportation between locations, it's best to search near your destination and stick to centrally located areas.
Do you need permits? Every city or town in the UK has unique filming requirements and policies, so check with the right authorities before you set up your camera and lights. You might even work with the local police force and discuss with store owners and those living in the neighbourhood.
Planning Your Film Shoot
To make a film is not for the faint of heart. With tons of decisions to make, clients and a team to deal with, a story to make, and a cast and crew whose safety is in your hands, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. That's why we made a few reminders for a successful film shoot.
Finalise the Script – Get with your writer and the creatives to nail down the script. Then, make a storyboard so you can see how the shots will look.
Select a Good Location – Once you have an idea about what each shot looks like, it's easy to identify potential places to shoot. Before you go from one place to another, explore your options on the Giggster app for budget-friendly sites that start at just £13/hour.
Create a Team – You can't start with anything until you have a crew together, as well as the casts, and much of your success will depend on how well they perform their duties, so choose right. If you can't think of anyone who would best play the story's characters, why not hold an audition and make it open for everyone, established actors or not?
Start Rolling – If you have the cast, the right people behind the scenes, and all the essential camera gear and lights, it’s time to roll and enjoy the process.
Hidden Costs for a Film Shoot
You have your budget, a blockbuster script, an amazing cast and crew, and fantastic locations, so you’re all set. Not quite! There are sneaky little costs that hide in the shadows and will soon blow your budget. But if you’re prepared and aware of these items, no hidden expenses will catch you off guard.
Have you got the permits?
Apart from the location itself, you’ll have to pay for permits and other fees, and they aren’t always cheap. Public spaces may be free to use, but you have to secure permits, while private spots have rental fees. After you get permission to film in these places, you might need to add props or change the layout to align with your vision.
Where will your crew eat?
You must keep your crew fed and satisfied as they work for long hours on set. The longer the shoot days are, the longer you have to feed them and more varieties of food to prepare.
Should you rent or buy brand-new filming equipment?
Let's be real, film gear is expensive! Buying all that camera and lighting equipment just isn't realistic for most people, especially if you're working solo or with a small crew. Renting is the way to go at first, but if you're serious about making more films, investing in your own tools makes sense.
Plan Your Film Shoot with Giggster
From converted lofts and large empty warehouses in the heart of the British capital to classic townhouses, wine bars, and cosy restaurants in Leeds, your dream film shoot location in the UK is just a few taps on the Giggster app. Book the venue that will help bring your vision to life today.
