Getting Permission to Metal Detect
For most detectorists, there comes a time when you’ll want to get your own metal detecting permission. However, for many people, knowing where to start and how to approach landowners can feel daunting. This guide is designed to help you find and gain permission to search new areas, giving you the best chance of accessing your own land for metal detecting.
1. Introduction
The Benefits of Your Own Permission
While finding your own permission may seem daunting at first, there are easier ways to go about it than simply knocking on a stranger’s door. Once you secure your first permission, it can often lead to more opportunities over time.
Even if you regularly attend organized events with a club or detecting business, there are many benefits to having your own permission. Events can require significant travel and often involve committing to a full day. If you’re someone who doesn’t like traveling or lacks personal transport, having a local field to search can be a huge advantage. Similarly, if you only have a few hours to spare, being able to pop onto your own permission allows for a quick break, fresh air, and some much-needed exercise.
Large events can sometimes feel competitive, especially for newcomers still getting used to the hobby. If you prefer detecting alone or with just a close friend or two, having your own permission provides a more relaxed and personal experience.
There are many different places where you can obtain permission, and several ways to go about getting it. The rest of this guide will explain the various options available, along with key tips to help you succeed.
2. Start at Home
You may already have permission
There’s one place to start that many people overlook—you may already have permission without realizing it. If you own a house with a garden, this is a fantastic place to begin your metal detecting journey. Even if you rent your home, simply ask your landlord for permission. If you have a good relationship with them, they are often more than happy to allow it.
You might assume there’s nothing to find in a garden, but you could be surprised. Many objects have been lost over the years, especially in older properties. Even if your house is a new build, you have no way of knowing what stood there before or where the soil was transported from. While gardens often contain more modern items, many incredible historic artifacts have been unearthed in people’s backyards.
If you don’t have your own garden, chances are friends or family members do. It’s much easier to ask people you know well for permission than to approach strangers. Even if you only find modern rubbish, it’s still great practice, especially when learning your machine.
Once you feel like you’ve found everything there is to find, consider taking some time to bury test objects. Try placing coins, jewelry, and other metal items at different depths and angles. Run your coil over them from different directions, paying close attention to how your detector reacts, the sounds it makes, and what appears on the screen. This is one of the best ways to get comfortable with your machine before venturing further afield.
3. The Beach
A Stroll at the Seaside
If you live near the coast or are planning a holiday by the sea, beach metal detecting can be a great way to get out and explore. The majority of the UK coastline is owned by the Crown Estate, which allows metal detecting anywhere between the low tide and high tide marks without requiring additional permission.
To check where metal detecting is permitted, you can view the Crown foreshore map online. Any area marked in purple is open for detecting. However, if a beach is not shown on this map, it is privately owned. In these cases, you will need to identify the landowner and obtain permission before detecting.
Trash or Treasure
When beach detecting, don’t expect to find a great deal of ancient history. While it is possible to uncover historic objects washed up from sunken shipwrecks or eroded from the land, the vast majority of finds on beaches will be modern items.
That said, beaches can still be highly rewarding. Many people lose money, jewelry, and other valuables while at the beach, and a dedicated beach detectorist will almost certainly find more gold in a year than someone who only detects on land.
However, be prepared to dig up a lot of trash. Far more rubbish is discarded than treasure is lost, so you’ll need patience. One particularly frustrating type of find is melted aluminum from fires and BBQs—it gives a strong signal, so you’ll have no choice but to dig it up.
Tools of the Trade
While most metal detectors will function to some extent on beaches, cheaper or older machines often struggle with the high levels of saltwater minerals present in the sand. This can cause unstable signals and make detecting difficult.
For those who plan to regularly detect on beaches, the best option is usually a multi-frequency machine, as these are far more stable in mineralized conditions. Multi-frequency detectors are also versatile, working just as well on both beaches and land, giving you greater flexibility in where you can detect.
Some detectorists also prefer to use a sand scoop instead of a spade or shovel when detecting on beaches. While not essential, sand scoops have small holes that allow you to quickly sift out loose sand, making it easier to locate your target.
Weather and Tides
If you want to maximize your success when beach detecting—especially if you’re hoping to uncover historic objects—the best time to go is after a heavy storm. This has two major benefits:
- Finds from deeper out at sea may be washed onto shore.
- Storms can strip away layers of sand, exposing targets that were previously buried too deep to detect.
If you plan to go metal detecting at the beach, always check the tide times before you go! There’s nothing more disappointing than packing up your equipment, heading to the beach for a day of detecting, only to arrive and find the tide is fully in, leaving you nowhere to search.
4. Public Land
Not so Public
One of the biggest misconceptions in metal detecting is the idea that you can buy equipment and start detecting on “public land.” This is almost never the case, and doing so could land you in serious trouble.
While there is plenty of land open to the public, such as parks and commons, this does not mean you have the right to dig or remove items. Digging on public land is considered criminal damage, and removing objects is often classed as theft of public property—many people have been prosecuted for doing this.
In most cases, parks and other communal land are owned by the county or local council, and the vast majority do not allow metal detecting under any circumstances. However, there are a few exceptions, so it’s worth checking your council’s website or contacting them directly to find out their specific rules. Be aware that councils that do allow detecting usually require you to apply for a paid yearly license.
Footpaths fall into a different category. While the public has the right of way, this does not include the right to dig. Footpaths are typically owned by the landowner of the surrounding fields, so if you want to detect along a footpath, you will need to get permission from the landowner first.
5. Fields and Countryside
Start Small
When searching for your own metal detecting permission, especially at first, it helps to think small. Smaller paddocks often contain a higher density of finds than large agricultural fields. I’m constantly amazed at how much can be discovered in fields just a few acres or less. Even when searching alone or in small groups, you can often return to these areas time and time again and still be surprised by what turns up—even when you’re certain you’ve covered every inch.
A great place to start is by asking friends, family, and coworkers. If you’re lucky enough to have a farmer as a friend, even better! However, many people—especially those who keep horses—own small patches of land near their homes or elsewhere. These areas can be ideal for detecting, and since they are often adjacent to larger fields, they can also help open doors to further permissions. Landowners who see you detecting nearby—especially if they know the owner—may be more inclined to grant you access to their land.
If you choose to approach large landowners, it’s often best to ask about one specific field rather than requesting permission for their entire farm. Targeting a field that isn’t currently in use can also increase your chances of getting a positive response. Once you’ve built trust with the landowner, they may become more comfortable allowing you to detect on additional land.
Thinking Bigger
If you’re looking to obtain larger search areas, the best approach—in my experience—is face-to-face contact. When I’m seeking new permission, I usually set aside a few hours and drive from farm to farm, either knocking on the farmhouse door or asking someone in the yard if I can speak to the landowner.
Be aware that farmers are often extremely busy and may not always be receptive to unannounced visitors. If they appear to be in the middle of something important, I often leave and return at a more convenient time rather than interrupting them.
If you take this approach, be prepared for a lot of rejection. The vast majority of farmers either already have someone detecting on their land or do not allow metal detecting at all. While most will be friendly and courteous, you may occasionally encounter a less pleasant reaction. Some farmers have had bad experiences with unannounced visitors, while others may have dealt with previous issues involving detectorists.
If you work in an industry that regularly interacts with farms, this can work massively in your favor, as it gives you more opportunities to build rapport before asking for permission. Some great examples include agriculture, construction, and delivery driving.
Thinking Outside the Box
It’s important to note that most farmers will have been approached before about metal detecting. The more frequently a farm has received requests, the less likely they are to grant permission. This is especially true for farms located near populated areas or along busy roads, where detectorists commonly seek access.
With this in mind, it helps to venture off the beaten track and approach more remote farms in small villages. It’s still possible to find landowners who have never been asked before, and in my experience, they tend to be much more receptive to requests.
It’s also worth remembering that not all land is owned by farmers. Many businesses and companies own land for a variety of reasons, and these can be great places to ask, as they are often overlooked by detectorists.
Another option is to seek permission from campsites—especially if you ask in advance. The same applies to Airbnb properties with adjacent land. Often, these types of businesses are keen for extra bookings and may be more than happy to accommodate a bit of metal detecting in exchange for a stay.
6. Get In Contact
Direct Contact
There are many reasons why someone may struggle to approach landowners in person—whether due to confidence issues, lack of transport, or other personal circumstances. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to gain permission without needing to speak face-to-face.
In fact, contacting a landowner in other ways can sometimes be more effective, as it gives them time to consider your request rather than putting them on the spot. Below, I’ll outline several different methods in a rough order of success rate, but ultimately, it’s about choosing whichever approach works best for you.
Letters and Leaflets
I have heard of some people having success in gaining metal detecting permission through letters. While traditional mail may seem outdated in today’s digital world, many farms are still run by older generations who are less likely to use social media or email.
A handwritten letter can be particularly effective—it feels personal and is unlikely to go unopened. The names and addresses of many farmers can be found online, so make sure to address your letter directly to the farm owner.
When writing your letter, be courteous, introduce yourself, and explain why you’re interested in detecting on their farm—whether it’s because you live locally or because of the area’s historical significance. Most importantly, include your contact details so they can easily get back to you if they’re interested.
However, keep in mind that this method requires persistence. You may need to send a large number of letters to receive responses, and handwriting multiple letters can be time-consuming. If you choose to post them rather than deliver them in person, the cost of postage can also add up over time.
Another option is using leaflets, which can be easily created with free software on your computer or mobile phone. Once designed, you can print them in bulk at a relatively low cost and reuse the design as often as needed. In a single day, you can drop off leaflets at a large number of farms, making it a quick way to reach potential landowners.
However, the success rate with leaflets is very low. Many people receive a lot of junk mail, so there’s a high chance that many leaflets will be discarded without being read. While it can be an efficient way to reach a lot of farms quickly, be prepared to distribute a large number to increase your chances of getting a response.
Going Digital
In an increasingly digital world, online communication has become the go-to method for many people, including farmers—especially as farms are passed down to younger generations.
Email is a quick and easy way to reach multiple farmers at once, and everything you would include in a letter can just as easily be put into an email. Some farms list contact emails on their websites or business profiles, making it simple to send the same email to multiple farms at once. However, finding email contacts can be difficult, particularly for smaller farms with little or no online presence. Also, much like leaflets, many people receive a large volume of spam emails, so there’s a high chance your message could be overlooked or ignored.
Many farmers also use Facebook and other social media platforms. There are even dedicated farming groups on Facebook where some detectorists have posted requests for permission. However, I’ve noticed more and more people trying this approach, and these posts rarely receive many responses—so I suspect the success rate is low. Since posting takes very little time, it’s worth trying, but keep in mind that some group administrators may remove your post if they feel it’s off-topic or if too many similar requests have been posted.
If you want to try this method, I suggest focusing on smaller, more localized groups, as these tend to be less saturated with requests. You could also try messaging farmers directly on social media, but be aware that not everyone appreciates unsolicited messages on their private accounts, so responses may be mixed.
7. Tips and Advice
Some General Advice
These are some general tips that may help you gain metal detecting permission or open doors to more land. Remember that allowing someone to detect on private land involves a high degree of trust. It’s important to build and maintain this trust at all times with your landowner. Farmers talk to each other, and once trust is broken, it can close many opportunities.
Always be courteous and friendly
Even if a landowner is not particularly welcoming, always remain polite and respectful. Looking presentable when approaching new farmers also helps make a good first impression.Respect their farm
Follow any signage or instructions, drive carefully around the yard, close gates behind you, and leave no rubbish. Always ensure that you dig neat and tidy holes and fill them properly.Engage with the landowner
Talk to your farmers and take an interest in their hobbies or historical interests. If they have a specific period of history they like, discussing it may help build a stronger relationship.Share your finds
Many landowners are interested in what’s buried on their land. Always show them your finds, and if they are interested, offer to let them keep some of the items.Offer something in return
If you have any useful skills or services, consider offering them in exchange for permission to detect. Some detectorists even offer payment to gain access to land.Agree on a fair finds split
If valuable finds are made, offer to split them with the landowner. The standard is anything over £100, but this varies. Many detectorists sign a written finds agreement with the landowner to avoid any disagreements or future problems if something of high value is discovered.Have insurance
Always be prepared to show proof of insurance, such as NCMD membership, to reassure potential landowners.A small gift can go a long way
A simple thank-you gesture, such as a bottle of their favorite drink at Christmas, is a common practice among detectorists and helps maintain a good relationship.
