Surrounded by the South Downs National park, the Lewes District combines the best of the UK’s coast and country. From the iconic cliffs of Seaford Head to the historic county town of Lewes, from timber framed dwellings to medieval structures, from the rolling downs to the industrial landscape of the port town of Newhaven, the streets and vistas of our district are brimming with filming opportunities.

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Lewes District covers the following areas from a filming perspective

Lewes Town | Peacehaven | Newhaven | Falmer | Ditchling | Plumpton | Firle | Glynde

If you would like to film or carry out commercial stills photography on any council-owned land in Lewes District, for example:

• Lewes district towns (Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven) and villages
• Lewes district parks and nature reserves
• Lewes district council buildings

Contact the Sussex Film Office: 01903 883644 | hello@sussexfilmoffice.co.uk

Photography and filming in Seaford is managed by Seaford Town Council, for more information visit their website

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Our Filming Code Of Practice

If you are interested in using any of the locations in the Lewes District for filming, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team hold extensive local knowledge and will be happy to assist you with any queries you may have. 

Click here to complete a filming enquiry online form

Filming Code of Practice

Click here to complete your filming application

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OUR HISTORIC HOUSES & BUILDINGS

Lewes Town still has a medieval castle, the remains of a Cluniac priory and Ann of Cleves house, (bequeathed to her by Henry VII). Further on in time and built during the Napoleonic War, we have Newhaven Fort which played a vital role in defence against German invasion by sea.  The district is not simply famous for its battles and kings, but has been home to many world famous writers and artists. Tom Paine penned ‘The Rights of Man’ at Bull House in Lewes Town and Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury set took residence at Charleston Farmhouse in Firle.

FILMED ON LOCATION: Charleston House was recently used by the BBC in the drama ‘Four Squares’.

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COASTS & RIVERBEDS

The Lewes District is home to miles of timeless, unspoilt coastline. We also have meandering rivers and beautiful spots for wild swimming. From the tourist beaches of Seaford to the deserted Tidemills, here you will find shorelines free of the trappings of the modern seafront experience. Our rivers snake through the countryside and are rich with wildlife and roaming swans. From the River Ouse that is easily accessible from Lewes Town to Barcombe Mills, an idyllic spot for boating and an alfresco dip.

FILMED ON LOCATION: Grand Designs Channel 4 – filmed the construction of a riverside house in Lewes

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THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK & OUR NATURE RESERVES

The South Downs National Park is an outstanding example of natural beauty covering 1,600km2 of breath taking views. Much of our district is within the boundaries of the National Park, including Lewes town and the rolling downs that surround it.

FILMED ON LOCATION: Featured in the recent BBC4 Documentary ‘South Down’s: England’s Mountains Green’

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OUR ICONIC CLIFFS

Often described as ‘more Dover than Dover’, these iconic white cliffs with the picturesque Cuckmere Coastguard Cottages in the foreground are one of the most timeless views in England.

FILMED ON LOCATION: You may recognise the 200 year old cottages from the feature film ‘Atonement’. Seaford Head has also been used by film director Paul Bryers for the filming of ‘Dickens’, ‘Queen Victoria’ and ‘Guy Fawkes’.

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VISA'S SHOP INDEPENDENT CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

In 2018 Visa ran a Christmas campaign to encourage shoppers to spend their money with Independent retailers and help keep the High Street alive. Lewes features in their advertising poster and with over 80 independent retailers in our town it’s no surprise we were chosen.

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OUR PHOTOGENIC TOWNS & VILLAGES

With the sloping hills of the South Downs National Park as a backdrop, many of our small towns and villages are incredibly photogenic. From Lewes town with its timber framed buildings and mathematical tiles, to the picturesque villages of Glynde, Firle and Ditchling. Being just an hour by train from London and on a direct line from Gatwick, the Lewes District is not only the perfect spot for photogenic places to film, it’s convenient for domestic and international film crews too.

FILMED ON LOCATION: Kevin bacon visited Lewes town to film an advert for EE.

Click here to view the advert