Tyne and Wear · beach metal detecting rules
Can you metal detect on North Tyneside beaches?
Depends on the beachNorth Tyneside's policy on council land bans intrusive metal detecting (digging) in parks, cemeteries, country parks, open space and designated wildlife sites. Beaches aren't named, but parts of this coast are protected wildlife sites where digging is banned - so it depends on the beach. Ask the council before you dig.
- Covers
- Tynemouth (King Edward's Bay, Longsands), Cullercoats and Whitley Bay to Seaton Sluice
- Permission
- The policy gives no authorisation route for metal detecting. Council contact: 0345 2000101.
- Watch out for
- Digging banned on designated wildlife sites, including SSSIs, the Coquet to St Mary's Marine Conservation Zone, SPA/Ramsar sites and local nature reserves, which overlap parts of this coast.
- What the source says
"Intrusive metal detecting involving digging on land."
- Source
- www.northtyneside.gov.uk/property/prohibited-activities · Policy drafted Jan-Feb 2023 (consultation version dated 07/02/2023); live page undated
- Checked
- 8 Nov 2026 · confidence: medium
Detecting somewhere specific?Tap any spot in England on the UK Detector map to check it against scheduled monuments, SSSIs, nature reserves, National Trust land and access land in one go. Free: 3 checks a day.