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Kent · beach metal detecting rules

Can you metal detect on Canterbury beaches?

No published rule found

No explicit council policy was found. The 2023 coastal PSPO banned digging turf for metal detecting but expressly excluded beaches and foreshore; that order was due to expire 31 March 2026 and renewal was not confirmed.

Covers
Seasalter and Whitstable to Herne Bay and Reculver
Watch out for
Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company's private foreshore: company does not permit detecting (Kent Online, 2014, non-council).
Source
www.canterbury.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-03/Coastal%20public%20space%20pro · 2023-04-01 (expiry 2026-03-31 unless extended)
Checked
8 Nov 2026 · confidence: low

We couldn't find a published rule. Foreshore owned by the Crown Estate follows the Crown Estate's terms; for council-owned beaches, ask the council before you dig. We emailed them on 9 Nov 2026 and will update this page if they reply.

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