Welcome to FilmApp for Canal & River Trust

Update: From 1 April 2024, our filming fees will increase by 6%, please check our new fees by clicking the link on the sidebar.

There is a non-refundable fee of £10 to make an application. If in doubt, please get in touch before you apply to check the location is owned by Canal & River Trust. We cannot refund the application fee if you apply in error.

We have over 2,000 miles of fantastic outdoor locations to choose from – from towpaths and locks to reservoirs and docks. Before you begin your application please check our map to make sure that your chosen location is on a Canal & River Trust waterway or search for a location here. We recommend that you recce the location to ensure its suitability for your film or photography shoot.

Make an application
Your application must include the following information:

• Risk assessment
• Public liability insurance – min. £5million cover.

You should refer to the Risk Assessment Guidance document under ‘Useful Documents’ for information about filming by the water safely.

Please leave as much time as possible for your application to be processed, the process usually takes 5 working days but if your shoot is urgent we may be able to turn your application around quicker. Large scale shoots may require several weeks or months of planning.

Before making an application please check our notices and stoppages page to check there are no planned towpath closures, navigation closures or other events taking place at your chosen location.

Please take time to review our coronavirus risk assessments and protocols before you make an application, up to date information can be found here. 

Using FilmApp
If you don’t already have a login please click ‘Apply for permit’ to create a new account by registering your name and email address. To create a new application, you will need to input your chosen shoot location(s), date, and time. Please provide a short synopsis of the scenes you plan to film or photograph, as well as including full details of any equipment you will be using and any special requests (i.e. towpath closure). Ensure you fully complete the production tab with all your company information. You will be prompted to upload your insurance and risk assessment documents.

Once you have submitted your application you will receive an application confirmation email from FilmApp. You will receive a response from the film officer which will include a fee quote and highlight any issues with your application. If dates or locations need to be changed you will receive an email from FilmApp asking you to log in and make amendments.

If you are happy with the quote we will issue an invoice and begin processing your application, notifying the relevant regional teams and checking there are no clashes. Your risk assessment will be reviewed by one of our safety advisors and we'll send you feedback if there is any.

If your application is successful it will be approved and once payment is completed you will receive a permit before your shoot date. Please note that you do not have permission to film unless you successfully complete the application process as detailed above.

Fees
You will be charged a location fee for your shoot, you can get an idea of the fee you will be charged by referring to the Filming Fees document under ‘Useful Documents’.

More information
Please visit the Canal & River Trust website for more information about filming and photography on the waterways.

Canal & River Trust, National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW | 0303 0 404040

For any technical queries relating to FilmApp or password resets, please call the software provider on 020 7620 0391 or email support@apply4.com and their customer support team will be happy to help!