July 2024: due to demand and office capacity, we are currently unable to accomodate student project photoshoots in the Garden. Please check back in later months.
The Botanic Garden is a great setting for filming, photography, painting and drawing. All photographers – professional or not – should take care not to block paths, not to walk in flower beds and not to move plants or plant parts to get the perfect shot.
Personal photography and filming
Visitors are welcome to take photographs of the Garden and our collections for personal, non-commercial use. If you are part of a group, have models, extensive kit, or a complex project, please email botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk to arrange your visit.
Photography for student projects
If it’s just you and your camera, you probably don’t need to book – but we’d still love to see your project! If you are part of a group, have models, extensive kit, or a complex project, please contact us to arrange your visit.
Filming for student projects
Please contact us to arrange your visit.
Drone filming and photography
For drone photography and filming, we need to seek authorisation from the University of Bristol’s Drone Safety Group. This may not be available at short notice, so please let us know as soon as possible if your project involves drones.
Professional and commercial photography
For professional portraiture, wedding/engagement photography, or commercial photography (such as fashion shoots, editorial shoots, selling prints or rights) you will need to contact us to arrange your visit. Our fees schedule is below.
Before you arrive, you will need:
- an agreed date and time
- a signed copy of your location agreement
- a signed copy of the agreed risk assessment
- an agreement to pay your fee to the Garden
We love to see the Garden enjoyed and used for creative work and always look forward to seeing the results.
We will make arrangements to make your visit hassle free and enjoyable.
The Garden will remain open to the public unless you request exclusive access. We may be able to arrange access outside our usual opening times.
If you do want exclusive or out-of-hours access, contact us at least four weeks before your planned visit date to arrange this.
Email us at botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)117 428 2041
Fees
Photography
£125 [plus VAT] per half day (between 10 am and 4:30 pm)
£250 [plus VAT] per full day (10 am to 4:30 pm)
£75 [inc VAT] – headshot portraiture, wedding or engagement photography (photographer and subject/partners only)
Free for students projects by arrangement (you will need to provide evidence) (currently not available)
Filming
£200 [plus VAT] per half day (between 10 am and 4:30 pm)
£400 [plus VAT] per full day (10 am to 4:30 pm)
Free for students projects by arrangement (you will need to provide evidence) (currently not available)
Art
There is no charge for artists apart from your entrance fee.
Let us know in advance if you would like to come and paint in the Garden. We can advise you about what is in flower and what events we have happening on the day you would like to visit. We will advise where you can be positioned to make sure you and other visitors can enjoy the Garden.