Yes, metal detecting is legal in the UK, but only with the landowner's permission, never on a scheduled monument or protected place without official consent, and with finds reported under the law of the nation you are in. Northern Ireland is stricter: the Department for Communities says you need a licence to search for archaeological material anywhere if the search disturbs the ground.
On National Trust land the short answer is no. The Trust does not issue detecting licences. For hobby detecting, the only way in is a written Archaeological Research Agreement, issued by a Trust archaeologist for a defined archaeological project (the Trust also allows supervised detecting in exceptional practical cases, such as locating underground services or a lost personal item). Below, each big landowner in turn: what its published policy says and who to ask.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can you metal detect on National Trust land? | No - not without a written Archaeological Research Agreement issued by a National Trust archaeologist for a defined archaeological project. This covers Trust beaches too. |
| Can a National Trust tenant farmer give you permission? | No. Only a Trust archaeologist can authorise detecting on National Trust land. |
| Can you detect on Crown Estate foreshore? | Usually yes in England and Wales. The Crown Estate allows detecting on its foreshore without formal consent, subject to its terms, any third-party rights and the Treasure Act 1996. In Northern Ireland a licence is needed for any search that disturbs the ground. |
| Can you detect on Crown Estate Scotland foreshore? | Usually yes. Crown Estate Scotland does not require a permit, but scheduled monument and Treasure Trove rules still apply. |
| Can you detect at English Heritage, Cadw or Historic Environment Scotland sites? | No. They are protected places, and detecting there without written state consent is a criminal offence. |
| Can you detect in Scotland's national forests? | No. Forestry and Land Scotland does not allow metal detecting as an informal activity or hobby. |
| Does the right to roam let you detect? | No. In England and Wales, CRoW Act access rights do not apply if you use or carry a metal detector on access land. |
This guide explains published policies in plain English. It is not legal advice.
Who allows metal detecting? Summary by landowner
| Owner | Can you detect? | How to ask | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Trust (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) | No, except under an Archaeological Research Agreement | Through a National Trust archaeologist, with a project and Research Design | National Trust |
| National Trust for Scotland | No published NTS policy found; treat as no | Ask the property or NTS in writing | Shetland Islands Council |
| The Crown Estate (foreshore) | Yes, on its terms - surface only, holes refilled | No application; read the terms first | The Crown Estate |
| Crown Estate Scotland (foreshore) | Yes, no permit required | Follow Treasure Trove procedures | Crown Estate Scotland |
| Tidal Thames foreshore | Only with a PLA permit; new applications paused | Port of London Authority | PLA |
| English Heritage sites and scheduled monuments in England | No, except with section 42 consent | Historic England; rarely granted | AMAA 1979 s.42 |
| Cadw sites and scheduled monuments in Wales | No, except with section 60 consent | Apply to Cadw; not normally granted | Cadw |
| Historic Environment Scotland sites and scheduled monuments | No, except with written consent | Section 42 consent from HES, plus the owner's consent | HES |
| Forestry England (New Forest Crown lands) | No, without express permission | Forestry England southern permissions team | New Forest NPA |
| Forestry and Land Scotland | No as a hobby; agreed archaeological projects only | Project design agreed in advance | FLS guidance |
| Natural Resources Wales | No published policy found | Ask NRW for written permission | - |
| Ministry of Defence | Treat as no | The site's controlling authority; expect a refusal | GOV.UK (Salisbury Plain) |
| Councils (parks, playing fields, beaches) | Varies by council | Check the council's policy and byelaws; ask in writing | Beach rules by council |
| Common land and access land (England, Wales) | Not under access rights | Ask the owner of the land | CRoW Act 2000 Sch. 2 |
| Canal & River Trust towpaths | No published detecting policy found | Ask the Trust before detecting | - |
Not sure who owns a field or beach? The map check in the UK Detector app flags National Trust land, access land and scheduled monuments before you go.
Can you metal detect on National Trust land?
No, not as a hobby. The National Trust cares for land in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its metal detecting policy says it does not grant metal detecting licences and only allows detecting as part of a clearly defined archaeological project under an Archaeological Research Agreement. The Trust says this applies to all its land, including beaches, and even to land under the plough.
What is a National Trust Archaeological Research Agreement?
It is the written agreement that lets detecting take place on Trust land as part of a project with a Research Design agreed with a Trust archaeologist. Only a National Trust archaeologist can issue one. Other Trust staff, tenants and farmers are not authorised to give permission, so a "yes" from the farmer who rents the field does not count.
What happens if you detect on National Trust land without permission?
The Trust says anyone detecting without an agreement will be asked to leave, and it will act to reclaim finds made on its land. If the Trust land is also a scheduled monument, you need state consent on top of the Trust's agreement - from Historic England in England, Cadw in Wales (now under section 60 of the 2023 Welsh Act, see below), or the Department for Communities (Historic Environment Division) in Northern Ireland.
Is National Trust land in Northern Ireland different?
Yes - there is an extra step. The Trust says that in Northern Ireland you also need a licence to excavate from the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Communities, in addition to the Trust's own requirements.
What about the National Trust for Scotland?
The National Trust for Scotland is a separate charity, and we could not find a published NTS detecting policy. Shetland Islands Council says large landowning bodies, including the National Trust for Scotland, do not permit any metal detecting. Treat NTS land as a no unless the property tells you otherwise in writing.
Can you metal detect on Crown Estate foreshore?
Usually, yes. The Crown Estate lets you detect on its foreshore without formal consent, strictly subject to its terms and conditions, any third-party rights and the Treasure Act 1996.
What does "foreshore" mean?
The Crown Estate defines foreshore as the land between mean high water and mean low water - roughly the strip the tide covers and uncovers. Its permission covers Crown Estate foreshore only, not the seabed, river beds or any other Crown Estate land.
What do the Crown Estate terms require?
The terms and conditions (dated 22 January 2024) set out the rules:
- Search the surface only - do not dig into the hard-pack sub-surface, and use no mechanical tools.
- Refill every hole, however small.
- Report archaeological finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and possible Treasure to the coroner within 14 days, with evidence sent to The Crown Estate.
- Report items of value such as jewellery and coins (not small numbers of modern coins) to The Crown Estate and the police within 14 days; the terms say proceeds are divided equally.
- Report possible wreck to the Receiver of Wreck and The Crown Estate within 14 days.
Lessees, SSSI and Marine Conservation Zone rules, and council byelaws can all restrict detecting.
Does Crown Estate permission cover Northern Ireland beaches?
The terms include Northern Ireland clauses: finds of value in Northern Ireland go to The Crown Estate, the police and the Director of the Ulster Museum within 14 days, under the Historic Monuments Act (Northern Ireland) 1971. But Northern Ireland's own licensing rule for ground-disturbing searches still applies, so check with the Department for Communities before detecting any Northern Ireland beach.
Is all foreshore owned by the Crown Estate?
No. Councils, private estates and the National Trust own many stretches, and Trust beaches are off-limits. The Duchy of Lancaster owns foreshore from the Mersey to Barrow-in-Furness, plus some foreshore in Wales and eastern England, and publishes no detecting policy, so ask it. Our beach rules by council pages list what each council allows.
What about Crown Estate Scotland?
Crown Estate Scotland is a separate body. It says it does not require people to obtain a permit for access to Crown foreshore, and asks detectorists to follow the statutory Treasure Trove procedures and National Council for Metal Detecting best practice. It also warns you to watch for buried power cables.
Can you metal detect on the Thames foreshore?
Only with a permit. The Port of London Authority says anyone searching the foreshore "in any way for any reason" needs its permission. The permit is valid only at certain locations west of the Thames Barrier up to Richmond Lock. The PLA has temporarily paused new applications after its waiting list passed 10,000. Magnet fishing in the tidal Thames is not allowed even with a permit.
Can you metal detect at English Heritage, Cadw or Historic Environment Scotland sites?
No. These sites are scheduled monuments or monuments in state ownership or guardianship, and detecting on them without consent is a criminal offence.
England: English Heritage sites
The National Heritage Collection of more than 400 sites that the English Heritage charity runs remains in public ownership, according to the government. Under section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, using a metal detector in a "protected place" without consent is an offence. Protected places include the site of a scheduled monument and any monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Secretary of State or a local authority under the Act. In 2020 English Heritage asked the public to report illegal detecting at its sites. Consent is handled by Historic England and is normally only given for recognised archaeological research.
Wales: Cadw sites
Since 4 November 2024 the offence in Wales is in section 60 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023. A protected place includes the site of any scheduled monument and monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Welsh Ministers or a local authority. Cadw says you must apply for a section 60 consent and that "Consent will not normally be granted for the use of metal detectors" unless the survey is part of a consented excavation or wider research strategy.
Scotland: Historic Environment Scotland sites
Section 42 of the 1979 Act still applies in Scotland. HES says you must not detect on a scheduled monument or protected place - including the monuments in the care of Scottish Ministers it calls Properties in Care - without written consent from both HES and the owner. Consent for detecting surveys normally has to be part of a wider research strategy.
Can you metal detect in Forestry England, NRW or Scottish forests?
Forestry England
The New Forest National Park Authority says that under the Forestry Commission Byelaws, operating metal detectors and disturbing or removing archaeological remains is not permitted on the New Forest Crown lands - most of the open woods and heaths - without express permission. Forestry England manages that land, and the Authority gives southern.permissions@forestryengland.uk as the contact. Elsewhere, ask the local Forestry England team in writing.
Natural Resources Wales and Welsh national parks
We found no published NRW detecting policy, so get written permission from NRW as landowner. Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority says permission is unlikely to be granted on land it owns unless it forms part of a supervised and accredited programme of archaeological research.
Forestry and Land Scotland
FLS is clear. Its guidance note says metal detecting "as an informal activity or hobby is not allowed on Scotland's national forests and land". It may be allowed as part of an archaeological project with a project design agreed in advance. The finder must waive any reward and agree to cover the cost of conserving finds, because the estate is publicly owned.
Can you metal detect on MOD land?
Treat it as a no. The government's Salisbury Plain Training Area leaflet says "Use of metal detectors is prohibited" and warns visitors not to approach, touch or pick up metal objects lying on the ground. Some training areas have byelaws that make detecting an offence: byelaw 3(4)(f) of the Templeton Training Area Byelaws 2016 covers anyone who "uses equipment designed or adapted for the purpose of detecting metal".
Can you metal detect in public parks in the UK?
Only if the council that owns the park allows it. There is no national rule - each council sets its own policy and byelaws. For example, Cheshire East Council says you must not use a metal detector on land it owns, manages or tenants, except as part of an approved programme of archaeological investigation. In Scotland the Treasure Trove Unit reminds finders that landowner permission is needed, and "This includes public parks." For the coast, see our council-by-council beach rules.
Can you metal detect on common land, footpaths or towpaths?
Common land and village greens
Common land still has an owner, and public access rights do not include detecting. In England and Wales, registered common land is access land under section 1 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Schedule 2, paragraph 1(k) removes your access rights if you use or have with you any metal detector. Older rights under section 193 of the Law of Property Act 1925 are rights of "access for air and exercise", not a right to dig. For commons and village greens, ask the owner - often a council, parish or estate.
Public footpaths and bridleways
A public right of way only lets you pass along it. The South Downs National Park Authority says landowner permission is needed even on land with public access rights, such as footpaths. If a path crosses a field you want to search, ask the farmer. Our guide to getting permission covers how to find the owner and what to put in writing.
Canal and river towpaths
The Canal & River Trust's Restricted Activities on Trust Land policy (January 2025) does not mention metal detecting. It does ban magnet fishing on its waterways, partly because of the risk to historic items pulled from the water. We found no published route for permission to detect, so ask the Trust directly. For other riverbanks, find the owner; Crown Estate foreshore permission does not extend to river beds.
How do the rules compare? England and Wales vs Scotland
| Rule | England and Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Landowner permission needed | Yes | Yes - HES says it is required to detect anywhere in Scotland |
| Access rights cover detecting | No - CRoW Act 2000, Sch. 2 | No - FLS says the Outdoor Access Code is for passing over land, not invasive searches |
| Scheduled monuments | England: s.42 consent from Historic England. Wales: s.60 of the 2023 Act, consent from Cadw (from 4 Nov 2024) | s.42 consent from HES, plus the owner |
| National Trust body | National Trust - Archaeological Research Agreement only | National Trust for Scotland - separate charity, no published policy found |
| Crown foreshore | The Crown Estate - no formal consent, terms apply | Crown Estate Scotland - no permit required |
| Public forests | New Forest Crown lands: express permission needed; elsewhere ask | FLS: no hobby detecting |
| Finds law | Treasure Act 1996 - report possible Treasure within 14 days | Treasure Trove - report finds to the Treasure Trove Unit; the Treasure Act does not apply |
In England and Wales, GOV.UK says possible treasure must be reported within 14 days. In Scotland, HES says significant finds must by law go to the Treasure Trove Unit. For more, see our UK metal detecting laws guide and our Treasure Act guide.
Where can't you metal detect in the UK?
- Any scheduled monument or protected place without written state consent.
- National Trust land, including its beaches, without an Archaeological Research Agreement.
- Scotland's national forests and land as a hobby, and New Forest Crown lands without express permission.
- MOD ranges and training areas.
- The tidal Thames foreshore without a PLA permit.
- Anywhere in Northern Ireland, if the search disturbs the ground, without a licence.
- Any land at all - park, field, common or footpath - without the owner's permission.
Frequently asked questions
Can you metal detect on National Trust land?
No, not as a hobby. The National Trust does not issue detecting licences and only allows detecting under a written Archaeological Research Agreement, issued by a Trust archaeologist for a defined archaeological project. This covers its beaches too.
Can a National Trust tenant farmer give me permission to detect?
No. Only a National Trust archaeologist can issue an Archaeological Research Agreement. Other Trust staff, tenants and farmers are not authorised to give permission.
Do I need a permit to detect on Crown Estate foreshore?
In England and Wales no formal consent is needed from The Crown Estate, but you must follow its terms, including surface-only searching and refilling holes. In Northern Ireland, check the licence rules for searches that disturb the ground first. Crown Estate Scotland does not require a permit for Crown foreshore either.
Can I metal detect on the Thames foreshore?
Only with a Port of London Authority foreshore permit, valid at certain locations west of the Thames Barrier up to Richmond Lock. The PLA has temporarily paused new applications.
Can I metal detect at English Heritage or Cadw sites?
No. They are protected places, and detecting without written consent is an offence under section 42 of the 1979 Act in England or section 60 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 in Wales.
Can I metal detect on common land?
Not under access rights. In England and Wales, registered common land is access land, and CRoW Act 2000 access rights do not apply if you use or carry a metal detector, so you need the owner's permission.
Can I metal detect in Forestry Commission woods?
In the New Forest, Forestry Commission byelaws mean you cannot detect on the Crown lands without express permission. In Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland does not allow hobby detecting on its land.
Can I metal detect on MOD land?
Treat it as a no. The Salisbury Plain Training Area leaflet says use of metal detectors is prohibited, some training area byelaws make detecting an offence, and military land can hold unexploded ordnance.