Where Can You Go Metal Detecting in the UK?

Metal detecting is an exciting hobby, but the question on most beginners’ minds is: Where on earth can I actually do it? You might think you can just grab your detector, pop on some headphones, and start swinging it around anywhere that looks promising—but it’s not that simple. The UK has some pretty strict rules about where you can and can’t metal detect, and, trust me, getting caught detecting in the wrong place can land you in hot water faster than a forgotten tea kettle!

In this guide, we’ll dive into the best places to go metal detecting in the UK, covering everything from sandy beaches to historical ridge and furrow fields. We’ll also touch on how to get permission (spoiler alert: you’ll need it almost everywhere) and where you might find the next big treasure hoard. Ready? Let’s get started!

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Understanding Permissions: Play by the Rules

Let’s address the elephant in the room: permissions. In the UK, you can’t just wander onto land and start swinging your detector. Every piece of land is owned by someone, and detecting without the owner’s permission is not just rude—it’s illegal. Yep, even public footpaths and that tempting, quiet patch of countryside are likely off-limits without a green light from the landowner.

Here’s the quick rundown of where you can and can’t detect:

• Private Land: You need written permission from the landowner. If they’re a farmer or a homeowner, be polite and offer to share any interesting finds (this sweetens the deal).
• Public Land: Public parks, council-owned land, and even footpaths are usually off-limits unless you’ve checked with your local council. Some councils allow metal detecting, while others don’t, so it’s worth making a few calls before you head out.
• Beaches: Good news! There are beaches in the UK where you can legally detect without needing any extra permissions—more on that later!

But let’s make one thing clear: No matter where you are, get permission before you start detecting!

Link for Beginners:

For a full breakdown of how to get permission to metal detect on private land, check out our guide to getting permission.

Crown Estate Beaches: The Detectorist’s Best Friend

If you’re itching to get your detector out ASAP, the beach might just be your best bet. In the UK, Crown Estate beaches allow you to detect without any special permissions, making them the go-to spot for detectorists who are short on land deals. A couple of years ago, you had to print off a permit from the Crown Estate’s website, but that’s no longer necessary.

What to Expect on the Beach:

• Finds: You’ll likely come across modern coins, jewellery, and lots of trash (sorry, but that’s the reality). Gold and silver can pop up, but if you’re after Roman relics or medieval artifacts, you might be disappointed these are very rare.
• Challenges: Wet sand can confuse cheaper detectors, and the beach can be pretty crowded, so you might get some curious onlookers asking, “Found any treasure yet?” (Spoiler: people love asking this, even if you’re waist-deep in ring pulls).

Top Tip: For beginners, dry sand is where you want to start. Wet sand can send low-end detectors into a frenzy of false signals, and believe me, nobody wants to dig a 3-foot hole for nothing!

Here’s a helpful link to the Crown Estate beach map, so you can plan your next seaside detecting adventure. Don’t forget to read our beginners guide to beach metal detecting to make sure you have a productive day!

Pasture and Meadow Fields: A Treasure Hunter’s Paradise

If you’re hoping to dig up something a bit more historic than a modern 10p, pasture and meadow fields are where the magic happens. These fields are often rich with history—think farmers, travelers, and shepherds who, over the centuries, have unknowingly dropped everything from medieval coins to tools. The great thing about pasture land is that it hasn’t been ploughed year after year like arable fields, so items often remain intact, waiting just below the surface for your detector to pick up.

Why Pasture Is Prime Detecting Land:

• Historical Significance: Pasture fields have often been in continuous use for centuries. Whether they’ve been grazed by animals, used for farming, or even for small events, these places are goldmines (not literally… well, sometimes).
• Easier Digging: The soft, grassy land means it’s easier to dig and replace your plugs neatly—less wear and tear on you and your shovel!
• Common Finds: From old coins to buttons, jewelry, and even larger artifacts, pasture fields are great places for those more exciting finds.

Asking for Permission:

If you see a promising pasture field while you’re out and about, don’t be shy—pull over and ask the landowner. In my experience, you’ll find that farmers and landowners can be quite accommodating, especially if you offer to share the more interesting finds or help out around the farm.

Pro Tip: Keep your eye out for pasture fields close to old houses or historical buildings—there’s a much higher chance of uncovering something special.

Ploughed Fields: Where the Past Resurfaces

If there’s one place where detectorists have a real chance of unearthing hidden treasures, it’s ploughed fields. These fields are the stuff of legends when it comes to metal detecting, and with good reason. Every time a farmer ploughs the field, it’s like giving the land a big old shake, bringing long-buried items to the surface. It’s no surprise that some of the most significant hoards in the UK have been found in ploughed fields!

Why Ploughed Fields Are So Popular:

• New Finds Every Year: Each time the field is ploughed, fresh artifacts are churned up from deeper layers, essentially making it a new hunting ground every season. Coins, brooches, and even hoards of treasure have been uncovered this way.
• Common Finds: Expect to find old coins, buckles, buttons, and relics—though it’s worth noting that these fields have a tendency to attract detectorists, so you might have competition!
• Potential Damage: On the flip side, the plough can also damage finds, especially delicate items like coins or jewelry. Don’t be surprised if you dig up something that’s been clipped by a plough blade.

When to Detect on Ploughed Fields:

The best time to detect on ploughed fields is right after the ploughing but before seeding. Farmers are often more willing to give permission during this window because the field isn’t being actively used, and you won’t be disturbing crops.

How to Ask for Permission:

Getting permission for ploughed fields can be tricky because many farmers receive regular requests from detectorists. Be polite and professional, and offer to share any historical or valuable finds. It might take a few tries, but the potential for great discoveries is worth the effort.

Pro Tip: If you’re lucky enough to get permission, make sure to document your finds and share them with the farmer. Building a good relationship could mean regular access to the field for years to come.

Ridge and Furrow Fields: Metal Detecting with a Medieval Twist

If you’re serious about uncovering historic finds, ridge and furrow fields should be on your radar. These fields were ploughed in a distinctive wave-like pattern during medieval times and are often rich in history. The deep furrows used by medieval farmers churned up all sorts of buried artifacts, and although those farmers are long gone, the history remains—buried just waiting for your detector to find.

Why Ridge and Furrow Fields Are Special:

• Historical Significance: These fields date back to the Middle Ages, and their ploughing methods moved the soil around quite a bit. That means anything buried back then could have been moved up through the layers over time.
• Common Finds: Ridge and furrow fields are excellent for finding older artifacts like medieval coins, brooches, and tools. Because of their age, these fields have often been undisturbed for centuries.
• Challenges: The downside is that the furrows were often very deep, meaning your finds are likely buried much deeper than in other locations. You’ll need a big coil and a lot of patience—some of these items could be buried several feet below the surface.

How to Find Ridge and Furrow Fields:

You don’t need to be a historian to locate these fields. Modern tools like Google Earth and old maps can help you spot the distinctive wave-like patterns in the landscape. You’ll also find ridge and furrow fields in areas that were historically farmed but haven’t been heavily developed since.

Getting Permission:

Ridge and furrow fields are often owned by farmers or large estates, so be sure to ask permission just like you would with any other land. The historical nature of these fields means the finds could be significant, so be prepared to share anything of value or importance with local historians or museums.

Pro Tip: If you’re detecting in a ridge and furrow field, bring the biggest coil you’ve got. These fields were ploughed deep, so your average coil might not pick up on the items lying below.

Woodland Detecting: Tread Lightly, Dig Carefully

If the thought of detecting in peaceful, shaded woodlands appeals to you, you’re not alone. Woodland metal detecting can be both rewarding and relaxing, with the potential to uncover centuries-old finds while surrounded by nature. However, it’s not all a walk in the park. The dense roots, uneven ground, and the need for permission can make woodland detecting a bit of a challenge—but a challenge worth taking on!

What Makes Woodland Detecting Special:

• Historical Use: Many forests in the UK have been in use for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. From medieval hunts to Victorian picnics, people have left behind more than just footprints. In ancient woodlands, you could find Roman coins, medieval relics, or artifacts from even earlier times.
• Common Finds: Expect to find old coins, relics from past forest activities, and the occasional brooch or tool. Woods that saw military or hunting action in centuries past are particularly rich in history.
• The Peace and Quiet: Woodland detecting offers a peaceful escape from the busier spots like beaches or parks. There’s something truly special about being alone with your detector in the quiet of the trees.

Challenges of Detecting in Woodlands:

• Hard Digging: Woodland detecting is not for the faint-hearted. The roots are your biggest enemy here. Digging through layers of tough roots requires the right tools and a lot of patience.
• Permissions: Like all other areas, you’ll need permission from the landowner. Woodlands, especially ancient ones, can be protected, so it’s important to ensure you’re detecting legally.
• Signal Interference: All those roots and organic material can sometimes mess with your detector’s signals, so make sure you know how to adjust your settings accordingly.

Best Tips for Woodland Detecting:

• Use a Pinpointer: Roots can make it difficult to locate items precisely. A good pinpointer will save you a lot of unnecessary digging.
• Pick Your Season: Detecting in the winter when the leaves and underbrush are minimal will give you better access to the ground.
• Be Prepared for Relic Finds: Woodlands are more likely to offer relics than modern coinage, so keep an open mind about what you might unearth.

Gardens: Start in Your Own Backyard

Who says you need to venture far to start metal detecting? Gardens, especially older ones, can be an excellent place to start detecting. The beauty of this option is that you don’t need to ask anyone for permission—you already have it! Whether you live in an older home or just want to get a feel for your detector, your garden is the perfect testing ground for beginners and seasoned detectorists alike.

Why Gardens Are Worth Detecting:

• Lost and Found: Over the years, countless items get lost in gardens—coins, toys, jewelry, you name it. Gardens, especially those attached to older properties, may have seen centuries of activity.
• Perfect for Beginners: If you’re just starting out, your garden is a great place to practice your metal detecting skills. No one’s watching, and you can experiment with your detector settings in a low-pressure environment.
• Testing Ground for Your Detector: If you’ve recently upgraded to a new detector or coil, gardens are a fantastic spot to run tests. You can bury different items at varying depths to learn how your detector responds.

Common Finds in Gardens:

While you might not strike gold (though never say never!), gardens can surprise you. You might uncover old coins, buttons, lost jewelry, or even random odds and ends that were lost during gardening or outdoor activities decades ago. For older homes, there’s always a chance of discovering something more historical.

How to Make the Most of Your Garden Detecting:

• Map Out the Garden: Even in your own backyard, it pays to be methodical. Split your garden into sections and sweep each one carefully.
• Adjust Your Sensitivity: Gardens are often full of nails and metal junk, so it’s worth adjusting your detector’s sensitivity to focus on higher-value targets like coins or jewellery.
• Bury Test Targets: For beginners, burying items like coins, aluminium, or small relics at different depths can help you get a feel for your detector’s responses.

Pro Tip: Live in an older house? You might be sitting on a treasure trove of lost relics! Gardens that have been used for decades or centuries could hold more than you think.

Public Footpaths and Old Churches: Walking Through History

Public footpaths and areas around old churches are some of the most fascinating places to go metal detecting. Why? Because these places have seen centuries of foot traffic, meaning there’s always the potential to find something of historical value. But, as always, you’ll need permission to detect, even though the word “public” might make you think otherwise.

Why Footpaths and Church Grounds Are Great for Detecting:

• Historical Significance: Public footpaths, especially those that have been in use for centuries, are prime locations for finding coins, jewelry, and even old tools dropped by travelers over the years. Likewise, churches, often the center of activity in villages, saw a steady flow of visitors who may have unknowingly left behind some treasure.
• Common Finds: Near old churches, you might find coins, relics, and other artifacts from past visitors. Public footpaths are great for uncovering coins and small artifacts that have been lost over time.

Getting Permission:

Despite what the term “public” might suggest, public footpaths are still usually owned by someone, and metal detecting without permission is illegal. For old churches, it’s extremely rare to get permission to detect in the churchyard itself, but fields and paths nearby can be good hunting grounds if you can get the landowner’s approval.

Do Your Research:

Using historical maps is crucial when it comes to footpaths. Some paths have been in use for hundreds of years, while others may have shifted. Studying old maps helps you locate the most promising areas to focus on.

Pro Tip: Always take extra care when detecting near footpaths still in use today. Make sure to fill in your holes carefully to avoid causing tripping hazards!

Common Land, Parks, and Council Land: Navigating the Grey Areas

Detecting on common land or parks can be a bit tricky. While these areas are often open to the public, it doesn’t mean you’re free to swing your detector there without permission. Many detectorists assume common land is fair game, but in reality, you still need to check the rules—and, yes, you’ll probably need to ask for permission too.

What Makes These Areas Appealing:

• High Traffic: Parks and common land often see a lot of activity, whether it’s from picnics, sports, or historical events. This increases the likelihood of people dropping things over time, and detectorists have found everything from modern coins to relics in these areas.
• Common Finds: In parks, you’ll mostly uncover modern coins, lost jewelry, and sometimes historic finds in older parks. Common land is a mixed bag, depending on how it’s been used over the centuries.

Permissions for Common Land and Parks:

While the word “common” might suggest free use, that’s not the case. Most common land and public parks are managed by councils or local authorities, and each council has its own rules about metal detecting. Some allow it under certain conditions, while others ban it outright. It’s always a good idea to contact the council in charge of the land to get clear permission.

Tips for Detecting in Parks and Common Land:

• Research the Area: Look for older parks or commons that have hosted events like fairs, military training, or even medieval gatherings. These tend to yield more interesting finds.
• Ask Around: Sometimes the council might not have an official stance on metal detecting. In these cases, asking local people or park staff can point you in the right direction.
• Be Cautious: These areas often have lots of modern trash like bottle caps and pull tabs, so it might take patience to find something of value.

Pro Tip: Look for areas of parks and common land that haven’t been heavily landscaped or disturbed recently. Older, untouched patches are more likely to yield historical finds.

Event and Festival Grounds: High Foot Traffic, High Potential

Fields used for events, festivals, and fairs can be a detectorist’s dream come true. These spots are often visited by thousands of people during a single event, meaning there’s a higher likelihood that things have been dropped or lost. From modern coins to jewelry, event grounds offer a lot of potential, but they also come with a downside—trash. Lots of it.

What You Can Expect to Find:

• Modern Finds: Think coins, jewelry, watches, and, occasionally, phones. People at festivals and events often lose things while moving around, making these spots rich in modern-day finds.
• Challenges: On the flip side, these grounds tend to be littered with trash—bottle caps, pull tabs, and general rubbish left behind by festival-goers. Be prepared to do a lot of sifting through trash to find the good stuff.

How to Get Permission:

Event grounds are usually privately owned or managed by local councils. Much like parks and common land, you’ll need to ask the landowner or council for permission to detect. Timing is key—after the event is over and the area has been cleaned up is usually the best time to detect.

Pro Tip: Focus your detecting efforts near entry points, food stalls, and high-traffic areas. These spots are where people are most likely to drop items while digging through their pockets.

Club Digs: A Detectorist’s Community

If you’re struggling to get permission on your own or just want to connect with fellow detectorists, joining a metal detecting club can be a great solution. Club digs are organized outings where the landowner’s permission has already been secured, meaning all you need to do is show up with your gear and a sense of adventure. Clubs often have access to prime land, and it’s also a great way to learn from more experienced detectorists.

Why Join a Club?:

• Pre-arranged Permissions: One of the biggest benefits of joining a metal detecting club is that you don’t have to worry about obtaining permission yourself. Clubs often have agreements with farmers or landowners, giving you access to land that would otherwise be difficult to get permission for.
• Networking: Metal detecting can be a solitary hobby, but club digs allow you to meet like-minded people, share tips, and even form friendships. Plus, some members might have their own permissions and might let you tag along!
• Organized Events: Many clubs organize regular digs and even larger, weekend-long events, which are great for getting a lot of detecting done in one go.

What to Expect at a Club Dig:

• Fees: Most clubs charge a small fee for each dig. This fee helps cover the cost of organizing the event and securing permissions.
• Common Finds: Depending on the location, you might find anything from old coins and buttons to more valuable relics. Because clubs often have access to prime detecting spots, there’s usually a higher chance of making interesting discoveries.
• Rules and Etiquette: Clubs usually have their own set of rules for digs, such as how to recover items and how to share finds. Make sure you’re familiar with these before heading out.

Pro Tip: Building a good relationship with club members can also open doors for more personal permissions. Sometimes, landowners trust the club and might allow members to come back individually after a group dig.

For more information, you can check out our metal detecting club directory.

Public Footpaths: Tread Lightly, Detect Responsibly

Public footpaths are a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to metal detecting. While they are often ancient routes, used for centuries, they are still owned by someone—usually the adjacent landowner. Just because it’s called a “public” footpath doesn’t mean it’s open for metal detecting without permission.

Why Public Footpaths Are Popular:

• Historical Traffic: These paths have been walked by countless people over the centuries, from peasants to traders, making them prime locations for finding lost items like coins, buttons, and even artifacts.
• Potential Finds: Along these paths, detectorists have found anything from coins and jewelry to old tools and even small relics. Paths that run close to old churches or historic sites can be especially fruitful.

Getting Permission:

Despite the word “public,” most footpaths are bordered by privately owned land. This means you’ll still need to get permission from the landowner if you want to detect legally along the path. If you’re caught without permission, you’re technically trespassing—even if it’s alongside a public route.

Do Your Research:

Old maps are your best friend here. Footpaths that have been in use for centuries often shift or disappear from modern maps, so using historical maps to locate old, forgotten paths can give you a real edge. Look for footpaths that run near churches, old inns, or settlements, as these were frequently used routes in the past.

Pro Tip: Always fill your holes properly and restore the ground as you found it. Modern footpaths are still used by walkers, and leaving holes or damage could result in complaints—putting your permission at risk.