Where Can I Metal Detect Without Permission in the UK?

So, you have decided to take up metal detecting as a hobby, splashed out on a shiny new metal detector, and are now eager to get ‘out there’ for your first metal detecting session. I do not want to dampen your enthusiasm, but a ‘word of caution’ is needed as you embark on your new hobby. You legally cannot metal detect on the vast majority of UK land without permission from the owner. If you do metal detect on land without permission, you could end up in some bother e.g. end up being confronted by an irate landowner, or even the police.

However, do not despair. If you read on, this article will guide you through the legal aspects of metal detecting in the UK, and provide you with solutions to a dilemma that faces every new metal detectorist keen to experience their first day of metal detecting.

The Law and Metal Detecting in the UK

Basically metal detectorists in the UK do not have the legal right to metal detect on private/public land, on which they do not have permission from the owner to do so. All land in the UK, is owned by someone. This includes but is not exclusive to fields, woods, public parks, ‘common land,’ and even ‘unregistered/no man’s land.’ According to the government, in England and Wales, all land is owned by somebody, even if the owner cannot be identified. Some detectorists may believe that they have found a loophole in the law, e.g. being allowed to detect on ‘rights of way’ without seeking permission. However, this is a false belief. At the end of the day ‘rights of way’ pass over privately owned land, therefore you are obliged to seek permission, or could probably end up getting into bother with the law if you fail to do so.

I Don’t Have any Metal Detecting Permissions, So Where Can I Detect?

Gardens

Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you have a garden, there is no better place to start your metal detecting career. You can get used to how your new metal detector works, and quite possibly dig up some old coins or even jewellery while you are at it. Once you have fully detected your own garden, then maybe friends and family could give you access to their gardens, while you further ‘learn the ropes’ of your new hobby.

Metal Detecting Rallies and Clubs

This option is ideal for beginner detectorists. Throughout the UK, metal detectingclubs hold regular events (often at the weekends,) that offer the perfect solutionto those who do not have any land permissions of their own to dig on.

For a small fee e.g. £10-20 per day, metal detecting clubs will allow you to dig on land where permission has already been obtained from the land owner. Not only will the hard work of obtaining permission already be done for you, clubs offer the opportunity to meet up with more experienced detectorists, and learn from them.

Rallies tend to be larger scale events, with one of the better known ones being Detectival (https://www.detectival.com.) These events often go on for a whole weekend, attracting detectorists and detector manufacturers from all over the UK and beyond. Rallies often provide attendees with large areas of land to detect on. For example Detectival obtained over 1000 acres of ‘detecting land’ in an area with real history behind it. What’s more live music, beer tents, food stalls, and even new product launches are often part of the package, making metal detecting rallies genuinely memorable events to attend.

Beaches

Beaches are another good option for the detectorist who does not have permission to metal detect on land. However, there are a few issues to keep in mind. In England, and Wales beach detecting is allowed on beaches owned by what is known as the ‘Crown Estate.’ In Scotland likewise, beach detecting is allowed on beaches owned by ‘Crown Estate Scotland.’ However, not all beaches are owned by the ‘Crown Estate.’  No permit is necessary to metal detect on Crown Estate beaches between the mean low and high tide marks.

Crown Estate England/Wales beaches are marked on the following map in purple (zoom in for detail.)

https://crownestate.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=0aac22685d2f4d78a2a3b0a5aa1660db

Crown Estate Scotland Guidance on Beach Detecting:

https://www.crownestatescotland.com/scotlands-property/coastal/metal-detecting

Some beaches however are owned by private organisations/individuals and permission must be sought before detecting on them. In some cases such as beaches owned by the National Trust, there is a blanket ban on metal detecting and trying to seek permission will result in a guaranteed refusal.

Another issue that may be encountered when beach detecting, is that some beaches are designated as SSSI’s i.e. that is ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest.’

It is strongly advised that since these are ‘protected areas,’ to contact either Natural England or NatureScot before metal detecting on an SSSI beach, and clarify whether detecting is permitted or not.

Natural England website:

https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk

NatureScot website:

https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/sites-special-scientific-interest-sssis

I Don’t Have a Garden, and Live Nowhere Near a Beach. What Next?

If the above applies to you, then apart from joining a club, the only other realistic option is to legally seek permission from a landowner such as a farmer. However, the topic of seeking permission from landowners is a lengthy one, and cannot be covered in this article. The skill of permission seeking will be addressed in a separate article.

If you would like to learn more on how to gain permission to metal detect from landowners, it would be a good idea to join the ‘UK and European Metal Detecting Forum.’ The forum has a dedicated sub-forum helping those wishing to learn how to gain permission, and contains extensive expert advice on metal detecting in general.

https://www.metaldetectingforum.co.uk

Metal Detecting Permission in the UK FAQs

Do I Need Permission to Metal Detect in the UK?

Yes, with the exception of land owned by yourself and certain public beaches, you need to seek permission from the landowner before metal detecting on private or public land.

Can I Metal Detect on Beaches in the UK?

Metal detecting is permitted on beaches owned by the ’Crown Estate.’ However, not all beaches are owned by the ’Crown Estate.’ Some beaches are privately owned, and permission to metal detect is required on them.

Can I Metal Detect in Woodland?

Woodland can often be a good place to metal detect. However all woodland in the UK has an owner. If you want to avoid getting into bother with the law, then you must seek permission before metal detecting in woodland.

Can I Metal Detect in Public Parks in the UK?

Some local councils in the UK will permit metal detecting. Permission should be sought from the local council before detecting in a park. On the other hand many councils in the UK operate a blanket ban on metal detecting in public parks.

Can I Metal Detect on Farmland in the UK?

All farmland in the UK is privately owned, therefore it is essential that you seek permission from the landowner before detecting on farms. If you don’t seek permission, there is a fair chance that you will get into real bother with the landowner and/or the police.