West Sussex · beach metal detecting rules
Can you metal detect on Chichester beaches?
AllowedThe council leases the foreshore from the Crown Estate and has no objection to metal detecting if you follow the Crown Estate's terms (surface searching only, fill every hole, report valuable finds). No council permit is needed.
- Covers
- Pagham Harbour to Chichester Harbour: Selsey, Bracklesham Bay, East Wittering
- Permission
- No council permit. Follow the Crown Estate metal detecting terms and conditions. Foreshore Officer: 01243 672133.
- Watch out for
- West Wittering beach and Cakeham Manor are privately managed (West Wittering Estate). National Trust East Head is separate. The Selsey-Bracklesham SSSI has protected fossil beds.
- What the source says
"we have no objection to people using a metal detector on the foreshore provided they adhere to the Crown Estate's terms."
- Source
- www.chichester.gov.uk/coastalrecreation
- Checked
- 8 Nov 2026
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