Yes, metal detecting is legal in England, Wales and Scotland - but only on land where you have the landowner's permission, never on a scheduled monument without official consent, and with Treasure (England and Wales) or archaeological finds (Scotland) reported as the law requires. This guide walks through getting permission in order, from finding the owner to your first visit.
This guide covers England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own, stricter licensing rules under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. This is general information, not legal advice. For the full legal picture, read our UK metal detecting laws guide.
At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is metal detecting legal in the UK? | Yes in England, Wales and Scotland, with the landowner's permission, away from scheduled monuments (unless you hold official consent), and with finds reported as the law requires. |
| Does permission need to be in writing? | Not by law, but the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales advises getting permission and agreement in writing first, including on who owns any finds. |
| Can a landowner let me detect on a scheduled monument? | No. That needs separate consent from Historic England, Cadw or Historic Environment Scotland. |
| How do I find out who owns a field in England or Wales? | Ask locally first; otherwise HM Land Registry sells a title register or title plan for £7 each. |
| How is a Treasure reward split in England and Wales? | The Treasure Valuation Committee normally recommends 50% to the landowner and 50% shared between the finders, and takes written agreements into account. |
| Does a Scottish landowner get a share of a reward? | Only if there is a written agreement with the detectorist saying so. |
| Do I need insurance? | Not by law, but many landowners expect public liability cover. NCMD membership includes it. |
Why do you need permission to metal detect?
All land in the UK belongs to someone. In England and Wales, going onto land to detect without consent is trespass, and finds that are not Treasure normally belong to the landowner, so taking them away without agreement can amount to theft under the Theft Act 1968. In Scotland, Treasure Trove Scotland tells finders to make sure they have landowner permission before going to a site, and that includes public parks.
Permission also protects your reward. The Treasure Act 1996 Code of Practice (3rd Revision, 2023) says, at paragraph 113, that rewards may be reduced or refused "where there are reasonable grounds for believing that the finder was trespassing". It also says a reward can be cut if the finder was aware, or could reasonably have established, that the person who gave consent had no authority to do so.
Permission has limits. Under section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (England and Scotland), and in Wales section 60 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023, using a metal detector in a protected place, such as a scheduled monument, without written consent is an offence, and so is removing objects found there. A farmer saying "go ahead" does not change that.
Which land should you rule out before you ask?
- Scheduled monuments. Consent comes from Historic England in England, Cadw in Wales and Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland. The Code of Practice warns that "it is not always clear where the boundaries lie on the ground".
- National Trust land. The National Trust does not grant metal detecting licences, and its conditions apply to all its land, including beaches. Detecting is only possible as part of an archaeological project under an Archaeological Research Agreement, which only a Trust archaeologist can issue - tenants and farmers on Trust land cannot give permission.
- Forestry land. On New Forest Crown land, the New Forest National Park Authority explains that under the Forestry Commission Byelaws, operating a metal detector is not permitted without express permission from Forestry England. For any other public or private woodland, ask the managing body or owner directly.
- Ministry of Defence land. Treat ranges and training areas as off-limits unless you hold written permission from the MOD itself.
Our free map check shows whether a spot sits on or near a scheduled monument, so you only ask about land that is genuinely workable.
How do you find out who owns a field?
Start local - it is free and often fastest. Ask at the nearest farmhouse, the village shop or pub, or a local detecting club. Many fields are farmed by someone who lives a mile away.
If that fails, use the land registers:
- England and Wales: HM Land Registry charges £7 for a title register or a title plan. The register names the owner; the plan shows the general boundaries. If a search turns up nothing, the land may be unregistered, and asking locally is your best route.
- Scotland: Registers of Scotland lets you search the Land Register and buy a title sheet showing the current owner. Check the current fee on its site before ordering.
Should you ask the owner or the tenant farmer?
Often both. Many fields are let to tenant farmers. The tenant controls the crops and livestock day to day, but the owner (often an estate) is usually the person entitled to finds. Because the Treasure Code allows a reward to be cut if consent came from someone without authority to give it, ask the tenant first - it is their crops and stock - then get the owner's or land agent's signature too.
Who do you ask for each type of land?
| Type of land | Who to ask | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Farmland | The farmer, plus the owner if the farmer is a tenant | Often yes once trust is built, usually with conditions on timing, crops and finds |
| Private estates | The estate office or land agent | A formal process: written agreement, insurance proof, defined area |
| Council parks and open spaces | The council department that manages the land | Anything from a permit to an outright ban; some ask for insurance proof |
| Beaches and foreshore | Whoever owns that stretch - Crown Estate, council or private owner | Crown foreshore needs no formal consent but has terms; others vary |
| New Forest Crown land | Forestry England | Express permission needed under the byelaws |
| National Trust land | The National Trust | No, except under an Archaeological Research Agreement |
| MOD land | The Ministry of Defence | Treat as a no-go without written MOD permission |
What about beaches and the foreshore?
The Crown Estate says you may detect on its foreshore "without a formal consent", but the right is strictly subject to its terms and conditions and any third-party rights, and you must follow the Treasure Act 1996. It applies to Crown Estate foreshore only, not the seabed, river beds or other Crown Estate land, and the River Thames foreshore needs a separate Port of London Authority permit. The Crown Estate publishes a foreshore ownership map so you can check which stretches it owns.
In Scotland, Crown Estate Scotland does not require a permit for access to Crown foreshore, asks detectorists to follow Treasure Trove procedures, and warns about buried power cables.
Many popular beaches are owned or managed by councils or private owners instead, with their own rules. Check our beach rules by council before you go.
How do you ask a farmer for permission to metal detect?
Most refusals come from worry, not hostility. A good request answers the worries before they are raised.
- Write first or knock at a sensible time. A short letter gives the farmer time to think; a visit at a busy moment rarely goes well.
- Be specific. Name one field, ideally with a printed map. "Can I search the stubble field behind the church after harvest?" is easier to say yes to than "Can I detect on your land?"
- Lead with their concerns, not your hobby. Say up front that you will fill holes, shut gates, stay off crops and show every find.
- Bring proof, not promises. Your insurance card, a copy of the Code of Practice and a draft agreement they can read in their own time.
- Suggest a trial and accept a no gracefully. One field, one season; a first "no" is often a "not now".
When is the best time to ask?
There is no fixed season - it depends on the farm. The Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales asks detectorists not to "damage crops, frighten animals or disturb ground-nesting birds". In practice, arable fields are usually easiest between harvest and the next crop; avoid busy times such as harvest, lambing and shoot days, and write agreed dates into the agreement.
What do landowners worry about, and how do you reassure them?
| Landowner worry | How to reassure them |
|---|---|
| Holes left in the field | Promise to reinstate every hole neatly, as the Code of Practice asks, and invite them to check. |
| Gates, livestock and crops | Leave gates and property as you find them, keep away from stock and stay off growing crops. |
| Liability if you get hurt or cause damage | Show public liability cover. NCMD membership includes public liability insurance up to £10,000,000 with no excess - check current terms. |
| Who gets the finds | Offer to show every find and sign a written finds agreement before you start. |
| Strangers turning up | Agree the permission is personal to you, not transferable, and that you will not post the location online. |
| Where finds came from being shared | The Code says findspot information should not be passed to third parties without the landowner's or occupier's agreement - put that in writing. |
What should a metal detecting permission agreement include?
The Code of Practice advises: "To avoid subsequent disputes it is always advisable to get permission and agreement in writing first", including on who owns any finds. A good agreement covers:
- Names and contact details of the landowner, any tenant and each detectorist covered - nobody else.
- The land, by name and on an attached map, plus any excluded areas.
- Dates - a start date, an end or review date, and any excluded periods.
- Conduct - access route, parking, gates, crops, livestock, backfilling, removing scrap.
- Finds sharing for non-Treasure items. Splits such as 50:50 are commonly agreed, but there is no legal default - it is whatever you both sign.
- Treasure rewards - how any reward will be divided (see below).
- Recording - that finds will be recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (England and Wales) or reported to the Treasure Trove Unit (Scotland).
- Confidentiality - no findspots or field names shared without consent.
- Insurance - your public liability cover and membership number.
- Revocation - the landowner can withdraw permission at any time.
How is a Treasure reward shared between finder and landowner?
In England and Wales, Treasure goes through the coroner and a museum may acquire it, with a reward paid. Paragraph 108 of the Treasure Act Code of Practice says the Treasure Valuation Committee "normally recommends that landowners receive 50% of the reward, and that the remaining 50% is shared between the finders". The Committee takes any agreement between finders and landowners or occupiers into account, but is not bound by it. A written split still shows good faith and avoids arguments.
Scotland is different. Treasure Trove Scotland explains that "under Scots Common Law, landowners have no property rights to portable antiquities", and that a landowner will have no claim to a reward payment unless they have a written agreement with the detectorist that says so. Offering one is a strong sign you are acting fairly.
England and Wales vs Scotland: how do the rules compare?
| Topic | England and Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Landowner permission | Needed - otherwise trespass | Needed - Treasure Trove Scotland tells finders to get it, including in public parks |
| Find the owner | HM Land Registry (£7 per title register or plan) | Registers of Scotland (title sheet) |
| Main law on finds | Treasure Act 1996 | Scots common law (Treasure Trove) |
| What must be reported | Potential Treasure, to the coroner within 14 days | All finds of archaeological, historical or cultural significance, to the Treasure Trove Unit |
| Voluntary recording | Other finds with your Finds Liaison Officer (PAS) | Covered by the reporting duty |
| Landowner share of reward | Normally 50%, with the other 50% shared between finders | None unless a written agreement says so |
| Scheduled monument consent | Historic England (England) or Cadw (Wales) | Historic Environment Scotland |
Copy-ready template permission letter
This is a template only. Adapt it with the landowner and have both parties keep a signed copy. The UK Detector app can also generate a printable permission letter for the field you are looking at.
METAL DETECTING PERMISSION AND FINDS AGREEMENT (TEMPLATE)
Landowner: ______________________ Phone: ____________
Tenant (if any): ______________________ Phone: ____________
Detectorist(s): ______________________ Phone: ____________
Land covered: ______________________ (as outlined on the attached map)
Excluded areas: ________________________________________________
Permission valid from: __/__/____ to: __/__/____ (or until withdrawn)
Excluded periods (e.g. growing crops, lambing, shoot days): ________
The detectorist(s) agree to:
1. Follow the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting
in England and Wales (or Treasure Trove guidance in Scotland).
2. Contact the landowner/occupier before each visit.
3. Fill in every hole neatly and leave the land as found.
4. Leave gates as found, keep off growing crops and avoid livestock.
5. Use only the agreed access route and parking spot.
6. Take away any litter or scrap metal dug up.
7. Not bring anyone else without the landowner's agreement.
8. Not detect on any scheduled monument or other protected site.
9. Show all finds to the landowner and record them with the
Portable Antiquities Scheme (or report them to the Treasure
Trove Unit in Scotland).
10. Report any potential Treasure as the law requires.
11. Not share the location or findspots publicly, including on
social media, without the landowner's written consent.
12. Hold public liability insurance
(provider and membership no.: ____________________).
Finds (non-Treasure) will be shared as follows:
______________________________________________________
Any Treasure / Treasure Trove reward to be shared as follows:
______________________________________________________
This permission is personal and may not be passed to anyone else.
The landowner may withdraw this permission at any time.
Signed (landowner): ____________ Date: __/__/____
Signed (tenant): ____________ Date: __/__/____
Signed (detectorist): ____________ Date: __/__/____
What happens on your first hunt?
- Carry the signed agreement and your insurance details.
- Re-check the field with the whole-field check in the UK Detector app, so you know whether any part of it overlaps a protected area.
- Use the agreed gate and parking, dig neatly and backfill every hole.
- Record where each find came from - the Code asks for findspots to at least 100 square metres, and a GPS point is better.
- Show the landowner what you found before you leave, even if it is mostly ring-pulls.
How do you record your finds?
In England and Wales, section 8 of the Treasure Act 1996 requires you to notify the coroner within 14 days, counting from the day after the find or, if later, the day you first believe or have reason to believe it is Treasure. Your local Finds Liaison Officer with the Portable Antiquities Scheme can help with that, and records other finds voluntarily. For what counts as Treasure and how the reward works, see our Treasure Act guide.
In Scotland, report finds of archaeological, historical or cultural significance to the Treasure Trove Unit. Treasure Trove Scotland says it does not need to see modern ceramics and glass, modern coins or "bits of tractor", and fossils and animal bones are not covered.
Give the landowner a finds list at the end of the season and a short thank-you. That is how one field becomes a long-term permission.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to metal detect in the UK?
Yes. You need the landowner's permission on any land, including fields, parks and most beaches, and separate official consent to detect on a scheduled monument.
Does metal detecting permission have to be in writing?
The law does not require it, but the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales advises getting permission and agreement in writing first, including on who owns any finds. A signed agreement protects both you and the landowner.
How do I find out who owns a field?
Ask locally first. In England and Wales you can buy a title register or title plan from HM Land Registry for 7 pounds each; in Scotland, search Registers of Scotland.
Can a tenant farmer give permission to metal detect?
Not always. The Treasure Act Code of Practice allows a reward to be reduced if consent came from someone who had no authority to give it, so get both the tenant and the owner to agree.
How is a Treasure reward split between finder and landowner?
In England and Wales, the Treasure Valuation Committee normally recommends 50% to the landowner and 50% shared between the finders, and takes written agreements into account. In Scotland, a landowner has no claim to a reward unless a written agreement with the detectorist says so.
Do I need permission to metal detect on the beach?
It depends who owns it. The Crown Estate does not require formal consent for its foreshore but sets terms and conditions, the National Trust does not allow detecting on its beaches without an Archaeological Research Agreement, and councils set their own rules.
Do I need insurance to metal detect on farmland?
It is not a legal requirement, but many landowners expect public liability cover. NCMD membership includes public liability insurance up to 10 million pounds.
Can a landowner give me permission to detect on a scheduled monument?
No. Using a metal detector on a scheduled monument without consent from Historic England, Cadw or Historic Environment Scotland is an offence - under section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 in England and Scotland, and section 60 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 in Wales - whatever the landowner says.