Guides

Metal detecting guides

Plain-English guides to the rules, each linked to the official source.

Metal Detecting Laws in the UK: A Country-by-Country Guide
Is metal detecting legal in the UK? Yes, with landowner permission and away from protected sites. Country-by-country rules for England, Wales and Scotland.→

Check a spot before you go.
Tap anywhere in England, Wales or Scotland on the free UK Detector map to see scheduled monuments, SSSIs, protected wrecks, National Trust land and access land - then print a permission letter for the landowner. Or look up beach detecting rules by council.