Norfolk farms could cash in Hollywood movies and TV filming

The county has already set the scene for TV series and Hollywood blockbusters ranging from Gwyneth Paltrow's appearance on Holkham beach in Shakespeare in Love to the Sainsbury Centre's transformation into the headquarters of superhero team the Avengers.

Earlier this year, Norfolk County Council funded a film office to attract more filmmakers to use the county's scenery and landmarks for their shoots.

Operated by Norfolk Screen for the next two years, it aims to bring a county-wide economic boost - but it could also create an important revenue stream for rural businesses.

Fabian Eagle, the council's cabinet member for economic growth, has specifically encouraged farmers and landowners to register their properties as potential locations, as well as their livestock and equipment for hire.

Fabian Eagle is Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for economic growth (Image: Swaffham Town Council)

"It is another way of farmers to diversify and add some extra income," he said. "The opportunity is there when people need to film a farmyard or a farm machine or some livestock. 

"It was seen at the Royal Norfolk Show that there is a considerable number of livestock that has been trained to be led by a halter, which makes them ideal for photo shoots or other film work and I think this could provide farmers with an additional income stream.

"It is another way of being rewarded for all the hard work and effort they put into training their animals.

"It could be quite substantial. There is a lot of money going into these productions.

"And why would they come and film in Norfolk, rather than Cornwall or Kent? It is because we have got all these rural locations and items to make that film complete.

"That is why people should register their locations and livestock. It tells these filmmakers that we can help them find everything they need."

A film crew preparing to shoot a rural scene near Docking in 2009 (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Eagle, who is also a Swaffham poultry auctioneer, said he used to "hire out a few chickens and ducks" for film shoots several years ago.

They included the TV series Love on a Branch Line, starring Leslie Phillips, which was mainly filmed in Norfolk and aired in 1994.

Livestock or farm machinery can be registered at www.norfolkscreen.co.uk/register-your-facility-or-service, while farms and farmhouses can be registered as potential film locations at www.norfolkscreen.co.uk/register-your-location.