COMMERCIAL FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is a stunning setting for filming and photo shoots. With a wide range of breathtaking views an ideal backdrop, available throughout the year. The Italianate 19th century Leonardslee Mansion House is also open as a venue.  

The 240-acre estate offers a variety of settings for filming. The woodland gardens are especially dramatic, set in a steep valley, with tall trees, a series of large ponds, dense shrubbery, and narrow pathways - with great open spaces as well as parkland.  

The gardens have been used as a setting for films set in the Himalayan mountains. Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens has magnificent colourful displays in the Spring and Autumn, with dark, brooding woodlands, and rare and unusual trees and shrubs collected from all over the world in the last 200 years. 

We are just 90 minutes journey time from central London - an hour by train.

A popular visitor attraction Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens are open to the public year-round except for Christmas day.  

Please Note:

We ask that all photographers and crews be respectful of the estate property as well as all flora and fauna and that all operations on-site are carried out with consideration and sensitivity to the special characteristics of the gardens.

Filming, photography and audio recording for commercial purposes at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens requires permission from the estate before it can go ahead and in most cases will incur a fee. 

Pre-application advice: please contact us for further information on film/photo rates and access to the estate 

PHOTOGRAPHY FEES & PERMITS

We offer two different types of permits at Leonareslee Lakes & Gardens:  

1. Student/ artist 

2. Engagements or other event booked at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens 

There is no charge for photography associated with events that are booked and paid for at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, at the discretion of Leonardslee Gardens management.

The fee for a student/ artist permit is £150+VAT. 

A permit allows you to shoot at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens during the gardens opening hours on a pre-arranged date.

The permit does not include access to the Gardens, and all visitors must pay the entrance fee on arrival. 

If you would like to arrange a photography permit please contact us below . You must arrange the permit at least 48 hours before you wish to film at the Gardens; they can only be purchased Monday to Friday. You cannot purchase it on the day at the gates. 

PHOTOGRAPHY T’S & C’S

  • The permit is permission for the private use of images only. It does not give permission for the sale of images of the buildings or other views of Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens.  

  • The permit grants access to the outdoor gardens for your photo shoot only. It does not permit you to shoot within any of the glasshouses or buildings. 

  • No lighting equipment is allowed to be used on site including separate flash units and power leads. 

  • No onsite facilities in the gardens for hair and makeup - this must be done before you enter the gardens. 

  • All equipment must be kept away from paths. 

  • Garden visitors must not be obstructed. 

  • Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens reserves the right for our staff to check Photographic Permits to ensure that they are correct. 

  • If you are unable to visit the Gardens on the date your permit states, we are able to reschedule your permit date once if you contact us 48 hours or more in advance