Can you metal detect on Thanet beaches?

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