Filming FAQ

The location

Can I hire a cave for filming near London?

Yes. Mother Ludlam's Cave is a privately owned sandstone cave filming location in Moor Park, Farnham, Surrey — about 50 minutes from London by road. It's hired for TV and film production, commercials, music videos, photography and student films, with controlled access on private land and low ambient noise.

How far is the cave from London and the studios?

About 50 minutes from London by road, and 45–60 minutes from the main studio belt at Shepperton, Longcross and Pinewood — practical for unit moves within the M25 catchment.

Booking & pricing

How much does it cost to film in a cave in the UK?

At Mother Ludlam's Cave, non-professional hire starts from £700 for a half day (£1,000 full day) and professional hire from £2,000 for a half day (£3,000 full day). Every hire is quoted to the brief, and prices are not subject to VAT.

What's the difference between non-professional and professional rates?

It's based on facts, not labels. Professional means any of: crew of 4 or more, anyone on the shoot being paid, or footage intended for commercial release, broadcast, client or brand use. Everything else is non-professional. Kit doesn't decide it — a battery-only shoot by a production company is still professional.

What are your rates?

Non-professional: from £700 half day / £1,000 full day. Professional: from £2,000 half day / £3,000 full day. Every hire is quoted to your brief. Prices are not subject to VAT.

How do I confirm a booking?

A signed agreement and 50% booking deposit secure your date; the balance is due before the shoot. A refundable damage deposit (£150 non-professional / £500 professional) is returned within 14 days if the site is left as found. Payment by bank transfer.

What is your cancellation policy?

60 or more days before the shoot: deposit refunded. Inside 60 days: deposit retained. As the location is indoors, we don't offer weather re-dates.

When can I book?

Up to 12 months ahead, year-round except December and January, when the cave is closed unless special permission is granted.

Can we do a recce?

Yes, and we recommend it. By appointment: £50 (non-professional) / £150 (professional), redeemed against your booking.

The site

What does the hire cover?

Mother Ludlam's Cave (inside and entrance), Father Foote's Cave (inside and out), and our woodland above the cave.

What about the area in front of the cave and the wider woods?

They're outside our ownership, so we can't grant permission there. A public footpath passes the cave mouth and must remain open. If your scenes need those areas you'll need the relevant landowner's permission; we can point you in the right direction.

Will the public be there during our shoot?

No — the cave is private and never open to the public on shoot days. Occasional walkers may pass outside on the footpath; this is rare, and they don't enter the cave.

Can we film deep inside the cave?

Yes, in both caves. The main cave narrows quickly beyond the entrance chamber — the recce is where you work out what's practical for your kit.

Is anyone from your team on site?

We open up in the morning, lock up at the end, and pop down during the day. We're not on site continuously but are contactable, and can provide a key. Mobile signal at the cave is patchy — larger crews should bring radios.

Access, power & welfare

What are parking and access like?

We have parking for 7 vehicles at our property, from which it's a 3-minute walk down a woodland path to the cave. There's also public parking about 2 minutes from the cave — for heavy equipment, use the flat path from the public parking via the metal gate. Tell us your vehicles and we'll agree an unloading plan.

Is there power on site?

No — we don't supply power. Productions must be battery-powered or bring their own silent generator, approved in advance (send make, model and dB rating).

Are there toilets or water?

No toilets or running water on site. Productions must be self-contained, or we can arrange portable toilets and fresh water at cost with at least 7 days' notice.

Rules & safety

What are the hard rules?

No fires in the cave. No explosions or pyrotechnics. No animals. No fixings into the rock, brickwork or gates. The public footpath stays open. Leave the site as found. Smoke and haze by prior agreement only. Drones are fine inside the cave with a competent operator.

What do we need to provide before the shoot?

A signed agreement, proof of public liability insurance (minimum £2m), and a written risk assessment — all at least 7 days before the shoot. No documents, no access. We'll send you our Site Hazard Information Sheet to build your risk assessment on, and a template if you don't have your own.

Is the cave safe?

It's a natural sandstone cave: uneven and wet ground, low headroom beyond the entrance, no lighting deep inside, and a river nearby. The rules above protect your crew and a site that's nearly a thousand years old.