The light. The Palace’s river front faces east across the water, so the morning sun lights it and the evening sun sits behind it. Film early for the building in golden light, late for Elizabeth Tower against the sunset, and after dark for the floodlights.
The reach. Westminster Bridge is where Lambeth Reach, alongside the Palace, meets King’s Reach, the stretch down to London Bridge that the Port of London Authority named in 1935 for George V’s Silver Jubilee. Between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge the river runs almost straight, which makes for clean runs past the Palace.
The tide. The stream runs strongly here through the middle of the tide, so we plan each run with it rather than against it, and time the shots so the boat can hold steady where you need it.
The traffic. Westminster Pier is one of the busiest on the river, with trip boats coming and going all day. Our skippers work around them, and we plan the shots that need clear water for quieter moments.
On the water. Commercial filming on the tidal Thames needs permission from the Port of London Authority, and we apply for it. The Palace of Westminster is a security-sensitive site, so the plan is agreed in advance: where the boat will be, for how long and what it is filming. A long take off the Palace needs planning, not a quick stop.
In the air. Westminster sits inside the Hyde Park restricted area (R157), which reaches down to the river here, so drone shots need NATS permission before the day. Our drone rules guide explains how it works, and our pilots handle the applications.
On land. Filming from the Embankment, the bridges or the riverside paths needs permission from the landowner or the council, separate from the river. We tell you early which you need, and plan the land and water shots so they join up.
Houses of ParliamentWestminster BridgeLambeth BridgeLondon Eye
Our productionsThe Glaukos roundtable, filmed on the ThamesFive eye specialists around one table, filmed on board as the boat passed Westminster and the London Eye.Read the job
ProductionsSurfers Against Sewage: the Thames swimA camera boat, a safety boat and the permissions for a swim down the Thames from Teddington Lock to Westminster.Read the jobYes. It is one of the most filmed views on the river. We get PLA permission for commercial filming and plan where the boat holds and for how long, as the Palace is a security-sensitive site.
Only with permission. Westminster sits inside the Hyde Park restricted area (R157), which reaches down to the river here, so a flight needs permission through NATS and clearance from air traffic control on the day. Tell us as early as you can: we hold long-standing permissions across London, so we can often fly at short notice.
Morning for the Palace in sunlight, as its river front faces east. Evening for Elizabeth Tower against the sunset, and after dark for the floodlights.
At a pier near Westminster that suits the tide and the shoot. We confirm it with the call sheet.
Yes, with permission on land as well as on the river. We can arrange both so the shots from the bridge and the boat join up.
