TV Studio Hire Near London: Why Productions Are Moving Outside the City

For years, London has been the centre of UK television and film production. But in recent years, more production companies have started looking beyond the capital when searching for studio space.

Rising costs, limited availability, difficult logistics, and increasing pressure on production budgets are all pushing teams to explore alternatives that still offer easy access to London, without the challenges that come with filming in the city itself.

That’s why TV studio hire near London has become an increasingly popular option for broadcasters, production companies, commercial shoots, and live productions alike.

Located just 45 minutes from London, Maidstone Studios offers large-scale studio facilities with the flexibility and practicality many productions are now prioritising.

The challenge with central London studio space

There’s no denying the appeal of a London location, but producing in the city often comes with compromises.

For many productions, studio availability can be limited – particularly during busy periods – while costs continue to rise across almost every area of production. Beyond the studio itself, there are also the practical realities of operating in central London:

• restricted parking
• traffic congestion
• limited unit base space
• tighter production logistics

What initially looks convenient on paper can quickly become more complex once production begins.

For larger productions especially, access and infrastructure matter just as much as location.

Why productions are looking outside London

Studios outside the capital are increasingly offering what many production teams actually need day to day: space, flexibility, and easier logistics.

Being based slightly outside London no longer means sacrificing quality or connectivity. In fact, many regional facilities now provide:

• larger sound stages
• more adaptable production space
• easier vehicle access
• on-site parking
• production offices and support facilities

while remaining within easy reach of London-based crew and talent.

This shift is particularly noticeable across the South East, where productions can maintain close proximity to London without taking on the operational pressures that often come with filming there directly.

Space and flexibility matter more than ever

Modern productions rarely need just a studio floor. They need room for set builds, technical infrastructure, dressing rooms, green rooms, production offices, storage, catering, and crew operations – often all at the same time.

That’s where larger regional studio sites can offer a major advantage.

At Maidstone Studios, studio spaces range from 6,000 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft, alongside over 35 multi-functional production areas that can be configured around the needs of each production.

Whether it’s a live entertainment programme, commercial shoot, or pre-recorded television production, having the flexibility to scale space around the production itself can make a significant difference operationally.

Easier logistics for cast, crew, and equipment

One of the biggest advantages of studio hire near London is simply how much easier productions become to manage.

For crews travelling with equipment, vehicles, and technical infrastructure, practical considerations matter:

• access routes
• parking availability
• load-in capability
• support facilities

These are areas where regional facilities can often outperform city-based locations.

With over 350 parking spaces, dedicated production areas, and backlot space available on-site, Maidstone Studios is designed to support productions at scale without many of the logistical restrictions associated with central London filming.

A connected location without London overheads

Being outside London doesn’t mean being disconnected from it.

Located in Kent, Maidstone Studios remains easily accessible from the capital – just 45 minutes from London and close to the coast – while offering a more manageable environment for productions operating across multiple departments and suppliers.

For many production companies, this balance is becoming increasingly attractive:

• close enough to London for convenience
• far enough away to reduce operational friction

It’s a practical middle ground that allows productions to stay connected without absorbing unnecessary complexity.

More than just a studio space

Another reason productions are moving toward larger regional facilities is the growing need for integrated production environments.

Studios today are expected to support much more than filming alone. Productions increasingly need:

• production offices
• dressing rooms and green rooms
• technical galleries
• breakout areas
• catering facilities
• flexible support space

Having these facilities available within one site can streamline production schedules significantly.

A changing production landscape

The way productions operate is changing. Flexibility, efficiency, and scalability are becoming just as important as location prestige.

As a result, many production teams are rethinking what they actually need from a studio facility – and increasingly, the answer isn’t always central London.

For productions looking for large-scale TV studio hire near London, regional facilities like Maidstone Studios offer a compelling alternative: professional studio space, strong infrastructure, and practical production support, all within easy reach of the capital.

Considering studio hire near London?

Choosing the right studio is about more than postcode alone. It’s about finding a facility that supports your production operationally, technically, and logistically.

For productions looking beyond the limitations of central London, Maidstone Studios provides flexible TV and film studio space with the scale and infrastructure to support everything from live television through to large commercial productions.