You don’t need a licence to use a metal detector in the UK, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on: private land, without permission from the owner.

Similarly, Can you metal detect on your own land?

If you wish to metal-detect on land which is not your own, you must get permission from the landowner before you do so. If you metal-detect on land without consent, you may be charged with a criminal offence and you could be sued for damages.

Additionally, Where can I metal detect without permission in UK? By the way, in the UK don’t need a licence to use a metal detector, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on private land without permission from the owner. It is also illegal on a scheduled ancient monument or in an area of archaeological importance.

Can I metal detect in Woods UK?

You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land. Under UK law there is no such thing as ā€œfinders keepersā€.

Do you need a Licence to operate a metal detector?

Do you need a license to use a metal detector? No, the Home Office scrapped licenses in 1980.

Where are you not allowed to metal detect?

Metal detectors are banned in all US federal and national parks. Additionally, no monuments or historical sites allow you to use a metal detector on their grounds.

How do I ask for permission to metal detect?


There are some simple rules you can follow to make asking for permission to metal detect easier:

  1. Locate the Owner. …
  2. Follow the Rules. …
  3. Ask Face-to-Face if You Can Metal Detect on Someone’s Property. …
  4. Be Considerate When Asking for Permission to Metal Detect. …
  5. Leave Your Gear in the Car When You Ask Permission. …
  6. Final Word.

Do you need insurance for metal detecting?

Most responsible metal detectorists have public liability insurance, this covers you in the eventuality of accidental damage whilst digging, perhaps to a power cable or gas line, and other things that may go wrong such as accidentally letting livestock escape from a field.

Can I metal detect on UK beaches?

Anybody wishing to carry out metal detecting on Crown Estate foreshore (defined as the land between mean high water and mean low water) may do so without a formal consent from The Crown Estate, however this is strictly subject to the Terms and Conditions and any third party right(s) as indicated under section 2 of the …

Where is the best place to metal detect in UK?


The best places in England for unearthing lost treasure

  • Data shows Norfolk is the best spot for treasure hunters. …
  • Of all the treasures found in the ground, fewer than 5% are discovered by professional archaeologists.

Where can I metal detect UK?


The best places in England for unearthing lost treasure

  • Data shows Norfolk is the best spot for treasure hunters. …
  • Of all the treasures found in the ground, fewer than 5% are discovered by professional archaeologists.

Can I metal detect UK?

All objects found must be reported within two weeks. A similar law exists in Scotland. In England and Wales, you need permission from the landowner to go metal-detecting, unless the site is historically protected, in which case all metal-detecting is illegal.

What are the laws around metal detecting?

Anyone can take part in metal detecting, though they can’t trespass to do so, and detectorists must contact landowners and get written permission before they conduct any investigations on their land. They must also come to an agreement about how any finds will be divided.

Do I need permission to metal detect on a beach?

The beach can be a great place to carry out your hobby of metal detecting. … Anyone wishing to carry out metal detecting on the beach often referred to as the Crown Estate foreshore (defined as the land between mean high water and mean low water) may do so without a formal consent from The Crown Estate.

What are the rules of metal detecting?

Metal detecting is something that anyone is lawfully entitled to do. However, you cannot trespass to do it. If land is tenanted, both the tenant’s and, in most circumstances, the landlord’s consent must be obtained and vice versa if it is the land owner wanting to grant someone permission to metal detect.

Is it legal to metal detect on UK beaches?

You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land. Under UK law there is no such thing as ā€œfinders keepersā€.

Is it illegal to metal detect on a beach?

The beach can be a great place to carry out your hobby of metal detecting. … Anyone wishing to carry out metal detecting on the beach often referred to as the Crown Estate foreshore (defined as the land between mean high water and mean low water) may do so without a formal consent from The Crown Estate.

Do I need a permit to metal detect on UK beaches?

You don’t need a license to use a metal detector in the UK, but there are laws about their use. People using a metal detector on private land without permission is illegal without first gaining approval from the owner.

Is metal detecting classed as a sport?

The National Council for Metal Detecting has a written constitution which is available to all members. It is a member of the Sport + Recreation Alliance (formerly the Central Council for Physical Recreation).

Can you go metal detecting on a beach?

Most metal detectors are suitable for inland & dry sand detecting, the only exceptions would be Pulse Induction detectors, whilst quite happy working on this type of area they do not possess any form of discrimination to reject ferrous objects, making them very hard work indeed.

Who owns the beaches in the UK?

The Crown Estate controls about 45 per cent of England’s foreshore; the remaining beaches are in a variety of hands, from the National Trust and Ministry of Defence, to local authorities and, of course, private individuals.

Where can you metal detect for gold in the UK?

The Lake District: Mungrisdale, Dunmail Raise and Blencathra Mountain are reputed to be good spots and traces have also been found in Troutbeck and Sedbergh. The Northern Pennines: A wealth of minerals, including gold, has been found here. Nenthead and the River Swale have both had reports of gold finds.

Where can I find treasure in the UK?

Following Norfolk, Leicestershire and Suffolk are the next best hotspots for finding treasure, with 4,101 and 3,105 discoveries respectively in the past year. Most archaeological items originated from the Roman, Medieval and Post Medieval periods.

Can you keep treasure you find UK?

There’s an unlimited fine or up to 3 months in prison for not reporting treasure. You can voluntarily report items to the Portable Antiquities Scheme if they are not treasure but are still of cultural or historical interest. This is to help keep a record of all finds in England and Wales.