Can I metal detect on the beach in Thanet?

Q: Can I metal detect on the beach in Thanet?

Permit needed. Thanet's foreshore is a council-owned SSSI; detectorists must submit a free online notification (valid 2 years) before detecting and follow the PAS Code of Practice, backfill holes and avoid the chalk reef and roosting birds. Source: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QdAojVdRy-l-3bGt5KtvHqhsyWzB7XrZZzxop8txEvQ/viewform (checked 8 Nov 2026).

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Kent · beach metal detecting rules

Can you metal detect on Thanet beaches?

Permit needed

Thanet's foreshore is a council-owned SSSI; detectorists must submit a free online notification (valid 2 years) before detecting and follow the PAS Code of Practice, backfill holes and avoid the chalk reef and roosting birds.

Covers: Minnis Bay/Birchington to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate/Pegwell Bay
When: No fixed closed season; avoid disturbing wintering birds at high tide roosts.
Permission: Online notification form 'Metal Detecting - Thanet Coast' linked from thanetcoast.org.uk (https://bit.ly/2NBYsMU); renew every 2 years; age 16+; queries to thanet.coast@thanet.gov.uk.
Watch out for: Chalk reef and man-made structures must not be damaged. Pegwell Bay / Sandwich Bay NNR is managed by Kent Wildlife Trust - no detecting there without its written permission.
What the source says: "This form is intended as notification for metal detecting on Thanet Council's foreshore"
Source: docs.google.com/forms/d/1QdAojVdRy-l-3bGt5KtvHqhsyWzB7XrZZzxop8txEvQ/viewform · Scheme introduced end of 2019 (council spokesperson, Isle of Thanet News 30 Nov 2020)
Checked: 8 Nov 2026

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