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?

We're bookable up to 12 months ahead, year-round except December and January when the cave is closed for bat hibernation. Occasionally that closure extends into adjacent weeks if bat activity requires it, and any confirmed booking affected is refunded in full or re-dated, whichever you prefer.

Can we do a recce?

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

Can we say we filmed at Mother Ludlam's Cave?

Footage of the cave in your production is absolutely fine, that's the point. But naming or promoting the location publicly, in credits, press or social media, needs our written consent first. Just ask. We usually say yes, and we love a good credit.

Why do you ask what we're filming?

Two reasons. Safety planning, because the scenes dictate the kit and the kit dictates the rules. And stewardship: we restored this cave after years of unauthorised access and fires, and we choose the productions we host with the same care we take of the site. Tell us honestly what you're making and where it will be shown.

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, running water or power at the cave itself. Productions should be self-contained, though access to our private toilets, 2 minutes' walk from the cave, is available by arrangement. We also have a Shepherd's Hut on the land, available on request for filming bookings at no extra charge. It's a warm dry place for crew to have lunch and take a break between setups, with phone charging and Wi-Fi. No cooking, and we ask that it's left as found. Mention it when you enquire and we'll confirm availability for your date.

Rules & safety

What are the hard rules?

No naked flames, fires or smoking anywhere on site. No explosions or pyrotechnics. No animals. No generators inside the cave. No fixings into the rock, brickwork or gates. Lighting inside the cave must be directed downward, battery-powered wherever possible, switched off when not in use, and never directed at the entrance arch or roof voids. Smoke, haze and drones are permitted only with our prior written approval, and never near the entrance arch. Access inside the cave is limited to the areas where the roof is tall, and the rear section where the cave narrows and the watercourse exits is out of bounds. The public footpath stays open. Leave the site as found.

Why are the lighting rules so strict?

The stone entrance arch is home to a legally protected bat roost, and the entrance grille was installed in 2001/02 specifically to protect the cave and its bats. Protection applies year-round under the Habitats Regulations 2017, whether or not bats are present, and disturbing the roost is a criminal offence. It's also why we close in December and January. Productions that plan around this have no problems: send us your lighting plan early and we'll approve it in writing.

What do we need to provide before the shoot?

A signed agreement, proof of public liability insurance (minimum £5m), a written risk assessment, the name and mobile number of a responsible person who will be on site throughout, and advance written approval of all lighting, heat and power. All of it 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.