Drone Footage
Filming with a drone in the Vale of Glamorgan
Cardiff Airport and St Athan Airfield
Please note that there are restricted flying areas in the Vale of Glamorgan due to both Cardiff Airport and St Athan airfield. Please check Restricted flying areas to see if your intented location falls within the restricted flying area. Anyone intending on operating a drone within the restricted flying areas of Cardiff Airport & St Athan airfield will need to submit a Non-Standard Flight (NSF) request to National Air Traffic Services (NATS). Please note it can take up to 14 days for requests to be administered. Once approved, you will receive written confirmation of the approval which includes actions to take pre-flight.
Any flights outside the restricted flying areas must follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
All filming requests that include the use of a drone will need to supply evidence of the drone operators licence and a site specfic risk assessment before permission will be granted. You will also need to ensure your Public Liability Insurance includes cover for the use of a drone.
Please refer to the guidance by the Civil Aviation Authority for the use of drones in the uk.
Drone operators (both commercial and non-commercial) require the permission of the landowner in advance of operating their drone. We may request evidence of this permission before issuing a licence to film.
Make a Filming Request
If you already know what you want for your production, that's great. Simply complete the enquiry form below and we'll respond as soon as possible. By providing as much detail as you can in the first instance, we will be able to respond sooner with details as to the approval, costs, etc.
Please read the filming checklist to see what will be required to complete a booking.
Make a Filming RequestFilming ChecklistPlease read the filming checklist to see what will be required to complete a booking.
If you'd like a little more inspiration, take a look through our Filming pages and hopefully you will find what you are looking for. If not, get in touch and we'll help you find that perfect location.
film@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
film@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
You won't be the first to choose the Vale as the perfect destination for your film/tv production, here are just a few others:
Llantwit Major & the Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Poldark
While most will associate Poldark with the beautiful coast and countryside of Cornwall, few might be aware that some scenes were also filmed on the glorious Glamorgan Heritage Coast in the Vale of Glamorgan. In Season 3, cast and crew re-located to shoot scenes at Dunraven Bay in the village of Southerndown, and those that know our coastline well will recognise the familiar backdrop of the cliffs. A popular location for filming, there have been many productions that have chosen this spot, including Dr Who and TV series Merlin, and Sherlock.
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
His Dark Materials
Fantasy Drama His Dark Materials is a television series based on the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman. Produced by Bad Wolf and New Line Productions, for BBC One and HBO, the show follows the orphan Lyra as she searches for a missing friend and discovers a kidnapping plot related to an invisible cosmic substance called Dust. We were delighted to welcome the film crew to the Vale. Rhoose Point, the most southerly point on mainland wales, where the Wales Coast Path follows the shoreline, was used for the filming of a scene for Season 3.
Barry & Barry Island
Gavin and Stacey
Much loved TV sitcom Gavin & Stacey was filmed in and around Barry with much of the filming taking place on iconic Barry Island showcasing the beach and amusement arcades. The show, created by James Corden and Ruth Jones, revolves around the romantic relationship between Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Barry. The use of Barry Island adds to the show's authenticity and charm and visitors from around the world still make the journey to Barry Island to visitor iconic locations made famous by this very much loved, award-winning programme
Penarth
Sex Education
Viewers will recognise some familiar scenes in Penarth from the hit Netflix series Sex Education. The Netflix hit comedy-drama Sex Education follows Otis, Eric, Maeve, and their motley crew of friends and family as they navigate through the tricky topic mentioned in the show's title - 'sex education'. Viewers will recognise some locations in Penarth where the Paget Rooms was used for the school hall scenes and Penarth Pier and esplanade features in later episodes.
Penarth
Doctor Who
The Vale has been the backdrop for much of the filming of Dr Who over the years. Viewers will have seen the Tardis pop up on the coastline at the Knap in Barry, against the stunning backdrop of Dunraven Bay on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and at St.Donats Castle, which has also been home to the filming of Wolf Hall, Keeping Faith and Decline and Fall. Keep watching for more iconic locations from the Vale in the new season.
