Metal Detecting Rules and Regulations
Metal Detecting Best Practice
Metal detecting is a fun hobby than can be enjoyed by everyone, but there are some basic rules that should be followed whenever you are metal detecting and its important that you understand the rules and laws around the hobby. We also have some basic rules in place for anyone that wishes to join in with our Facebook group.
Firstly its important to understand that you will need to obtain permission before you can start digging. There are a few exceptions, but almost all land in this country is owned; this includes parks and public footpaths. To dig on private land you will need to obtain permission from the landowner. If you are granted permission to dig, it may be worth looking at signing a contract with the landowner to prevent any potential disputes over finds. To dig on public parks you would first need to ask the local council for permission. Many beaches in the UK are owned by the crown estate and these can be metal detected without getting consent. A map of the crown beaches and foreshore can be found here.
It is also important to remember that anything that you dig up on private land technically belongs to the landowner unless otherwise agreed. For that reason its highly recommended that you sign some sort of agreement or contract. In practice however, most farmers are usually happy to let you keep most of the bits you find unless its something worth a lot of money. Its very good practice to regularly show your landowners what you find and maybe even offer them a few bits to keep. Keeping your landowners happy regularly leads to new detecting opportunities in our experience.
Any find that could be considered “Treasure” needs to be reported to your local coroner within 14 days. At the moment this is any object that is made up of 10% or more gold or silver and is over 300 years old, 2 or more gold or silver coins of the same era and found nearby each other or 10 or more bronze coins found close to each other. Details of the UK treasure act can be found here. In the event of an item you found being declared treasure, proceeds will usually be shared with the finder(s) and landowner on a 50/50 basis.
Our Facebook community is a great place to learn more about the hobby and meet new people. To keep it a safe space for everyone, we have a few basic rules you can read below. To find out more about getting your own permission and other aspects of the hobby, check out or fantastic guides.
UK Treasure Laws
The following finds are Treasure under the Act, if found after 24 September 1997 (or, in the case of category 2, if found after 1 January 2003):
- Any metallic object, other than a coin, provided that at least 10 per cent by weight of metal is precious metal (that is, gold or silver) and that it is at least 300 years old when found. If the object is of prehistoric date it will be Treasure provided any part of it is precious metal.
- Any group of two or more metallic objects of any composition of prehistoric date that come from the same find (see note below).
- Two or more coins from the same find provided they are at least 300 years old when found and contain 10 per cent gold or silver (if the coins contain less than 10 per cent of gold or silver there must be at least ten of them). Only the following groups of coins will normally be regarded as coming from the same find: Hoards that have been deliberately hidden; Smaller groups of coins, such as the contents of purses, that may been dropped or lost; Votive or ritual deposits.
- Any object, whatever it is made of, that is found in the same place as, or had previously been together with, another object that is Treasure.
Any object that would previously have been treasure trove, but does not fall within the specific categories given above. Only objects that are less than 300 years old, that are made substantially of gold or silver, that have been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovery and whose owners or heirs are unknown will come into this category.
Note: An object or coin is part of the ‘same find’ as another object or coin if it is found in the same place as, or had previously been together with, the other object. Finds may have become scattered since they were originally deposited in the ground.
If found on or after 30 July 2023, a find may be potential Treasure if it does not meet the above criteria but is made at least partially of metal, is at least 200 years old, and provided exceptional insight into an aspect of national or regional history, archaeology or culture by virtue of one or more of the following:
- Its rarity as an example of its type found in the United Kingdom.
- The location, region or part of the United Kingdom in which it was found.
- Its connection with a particular person or event
A find may also be Treasure if it does not, on its own, provide such an insight, but is, when found, part of the same find as one or more other objects, and provides such an insight when taken together with those objects.
What should I do if I find something that may be Treasure?
You must report all finds of potential Treasure to a coroner for the district in which they are found either within 14 days after the day on which you made the discovery or within 14 days after the day on which you realised the find might be treasure. Your local Finds Liaison Officer can assist you in determining whether a find constitutes potential Treasure and can report the find to the coroner on your behalf. Full details of the UK treasure laws can be found using the link below.
Overview
While metal detecting is a fun and rewarding hobby, it comes with certain responsibilities. In this guide, we’ll cover the rules and regulations you need to know to keep your detecting hobby legal and ethical.
1. Understanding the Treasure Act 1996
In the UK, the Treasure Act 1996 governs what constitutes treasure. If you find an object that qualifies as treasure (such as gold or silver), you must report it to the authorities.
2. Code of Practice for Responsible Detecting
Follow the Code of Practice, which includes guidelines on obtaining permission, respecting the environment, and reporting finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).
3. Protected and Restricted Areas
Some areas, such as historical sites, nature reserves, and military zones, are restricted from detecting. Always check with local authorities or consult the PAS before detecting in sensitive locations.
4. Public Land and Parks
When detecting in public areas, check for any specific local bylaws or council regulations. Many parks and beaches allow detecting, but it’s important to confirm with the local authorities.
5. Environmental Considerations
Always consider the environment when detecting. Fill in any holes, avoid damaging vegetation, and respect wildlife habitats. Ethical practices preserve the hobby for future generations.
