The Royal Docks

Filming in the Royal Docks

Big enclosed docks between ExCeL and London City Airport. Calm water with no tide running, for set pieces, events and launches, right next to the river.
Map of the Thames at Royal DocksRoyal Victoria DockRoyal Albert DockThames Barrier
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
On the water

Calm water, city backdrop

On Royal Victoria Dock you are surrounded by ExCeL, the cable car and the dockside towers, on water that does not rise and fall with the tide. Further east, Royal Albert Dock runs alongside London City Airport’s runway. For anything that needs a steady surface and space, from a floating set to an event, the docks are hard to beat.
Light, tide and traffic

Planning a shoot in the Royal Docks

The water. The docks’ water is managed by its own dock authority rather than the Port of London Authority, so permission to film on it comes from them. We handle the application.

The view. From the water you get ExCeL, the cable car, the dockside towers and planes coming in to land at London City, which makes a very London backdrop.

Events. The docks host big events on and around the water, from exhibitions at ExCeL to open-water swimming, so the place is used to activity on the water and planning for it.

The boats. We bring in the right boats for the job and the dock’s rules, crewed by our own skippers.

Permissions

Permission to film in the Royal Docks

On the water. Filming on the docks needs permission from the docks’ own water authority, and we apply for it as part of the job.

In the air. Everything here is inside London City Airport’s flight restriction zone, so drone flights need the airport’s agreement and must fit around its flying.

On land. The quaysides around the docks belong to different owners, from ExCeL to the estates around it, so filming on land needs their permission.

Royal Victoria Dock and Royal Albert Dock, with the Thames Barrier on the river to the south.
Questions

Royal Docks questions

The docks’ own water authority, not the Port of London Authority. We apply to them, and to the airport if you want drone shots.

Only with London City Airport’s agreement, as the docks are inside its flight restriction zone. We apply well ahead.

No. The docks are enclosed, so the water stays level, which makes them good for floating sets and steady shots.

Yes. We plan the boats, the crew, the safety cover and the filming, and work with the dock authority on the permissions.

Thames shoot planner

Plan your Thames shoot

Tell us where on the river, when and what you are filming. We reply within the hour, 8am to 8pm, 7 days, and quote the same day for most shoots.
Rather talk? Call or WhatsApp 020 3039 3931