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 “finders keepers”. You always need the landowner’s permission to detect on an area of land and to keep anything you find on their land.
Is it legal to metal detect on beaches UK?
Guide Beach safety and information
Metal detecting is allowed at any time for individuals. Don’t forget to check the tides first. You should hold appropriate public liability insurance, report any significant finds to us and leave the beach as you found it (re-instating any holes).
Can you metal detect on council land UK?
Damaging council land is classed as vandalism, it is an offence enforceable by the Police under the Criminal Damages Act 1971. Please report any unauthorised metal detecting by calling the Police on 101 or email our neighbourhood team and they can assess the situation and forward on to our partners if necessary.
Where can I metal detect for free?
Parks and local fields
Parks and fields in towns and cities will have been used for centuries by humans so there is a good chance of finding dropped treasures, or items just below the ground surface. You should ensure you are allowed to go detecting in these places, however.
Is it legal to metal detect in the UK?
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. a Scheduled Monument.
What happens if you find treasure UK?
You must report treasure to the local coroner within 14 days of finding it. The Portable Antiquities Scheme can help you report treasure and archaeological finds.
Can you metal detect on river banks UK?
Metal detecting on the River Thames foreshore requires a separate permit from the Port of London Authority. Finds above the low water mark are generally the property of the landowner, unless classified as Treasure.
Can I metal detect on common ground?
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.
Can I use a metal detector on a public footpath?
The basic rules of detecting. 1. You must have permission to detect on any land. This includes parks, public spaces, woods, common land and public footpaths!
Where is best to metal detect UK?
There is no wonder why the farmers field is probably the most popular place to go metal detecting in the UK. Most of the great finds, and hoards have been found here.
Are you allowed to metal detect on beaches?
You may only investigate the surface of the foreshore and not excavate into the hard pack sub-surface of the foreshore to ensure that the archaeological integrity of any embedded find is retained; iii.
Where is the best place to metal detect for coins?
Search around front porches, back door steps, walkways and driveways. Scan floors, baseboards and floor coverings carefully for lost coins. Very valuable old coins are often found between the baseboards and the floor. Interestingly, people used to hide coins behind boards in the wall and inside hollow doors.
Can I metal detect on farm land?
The premise remains the same: It is illegal for anyone to embark on a metal detecting search, whether on private or public land, without the permission of the landowner. Many detectorists will seek permission from the landowner – often a farmer – so there are a number of things for members to bear in mind.
Is treasure hunting legal in UK?
Anyone intending to search for treasure, whether with a metal detector or not, must get the permission from the landowner before they step foot on the land. Land (including paths, public open spaces, beaches and foreshores) always belongs to someone.
Can I metal detect in my garden?
In your own garden, there are no restrictions. Many areas around the country require you to seek permission before detecting, and especially before digging anything up.
What happens if you find something metal detecting UK?
You must report treasure to the local coroner within 14 days of finding it. The Portable Antiquities Scheme can help you report treasure and archaeological finds.
Where can I metal detect legally 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 “finders keepers”.
Where is the most treasure found in the UK?
The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest and most significant hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver artefacts yet found in the British Isles. It consists of almost 4,600 items and metal fragments, amounting to a total of 5.1 kg (11 lbs) of gold, 1.4 kg (3 lbs) of silver and some 3,500 pieces of garnet cloisonné jewellery.
Can I keep a treasure I found?
The finder’s rights depend on how the found property is categorized. If the found property is lost, abandoned, or treasure trove, the person who found it gets to keep it unless the original owner claims it (so actually, unless the original owner claims it, the rule is “finders keepers”).
Can you metal detect in national forest UK?
It is not illegal to metal detect if you have landowner permission – it is however essential that you do so responsibly. However, it is illegal to metal detect on land covered by legal protections, such as Scheduled Monuments and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and doing so is a criminal offence.
Where can I find old places to metal detect?
Top 50 Spots for Metal Detecting Near Me List:
- Amusement Parks.
- Local Schools.
- Old houses.
- Local Public beaches and swimming spots.
- Churches.
- Sports and athletic fields.
- Old Fairgrounds.
- Abandoned home sites and foundations.