Significant Finds in the UK by Metal Detectorists

Why Detectorist Finds Matter
The UK has one of the richest landscapes for metal detecting in the world. With continuous human settlement stretching back thousands of years, it is no surprise that fields, woods, and riverbanks are filled with coins, jewellery, and artefacts from every era.
Since the Treasure Act 1996 and the expansion of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), thousands of finds have been properly recorded. These discoveries have rewritten history books, filled museums with extraordinary objects, and connected everyday people to the lives of those who came before us.
Not every find is spectacular. Buttons, musket balls, and Georgian halfpennies are common — but even these add to the archaeological record. Yet sometimes, detectorists stumble across extraordinary treasures that capture the world’s attention.
The Hoxne Hoard (1992, Suffolk)
Although found just before the Treasure Act came into force, the Hoxne Hoard remains the largest hoard of late Roman gold and silver ever discovered in Britain.

• Finder: Eric Lawes, a retired farmer using a metal detector for the first time.

• Contents: Over 15,000 coins and 200 items of gold and silver jewellery dating to the 4th and 5th centuries AD.

• Significance: The hoard provided insights into the wealth and turmoil of late Roman Britain.

• Legacy: Now housed in the British Museum, it set the stage for responsible reporting of finds.

Eric’s responsible reporting changed perceptions of detectorists forever. Instead of pocketing the items, he called archaeologists — leading to a professional excavation.
The Staffordshire Hoard (2009, Hammerwich, Staffordshire)
One of the most famous detectorist finds of all time.

• Finder: Terry Herbert, searching farmland with permission.

• Contents: More than 3,500 items of gold, silver, and garnet from the 7th century, mostly parts of weapons and armour.

• Significance: The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever discovered, revealing the artistry and wealth of the early medieval kingdom of Mercia.

• Value: Valued at £3.3 million, shared between the finder and landowner.

• Legacy: Changed our understanding of Anglo-Saxon warfare, craftsmanship, and elite culture.

The hoard remains a highlight in Birmingham Museum and the Potteries Museum.
The Crosby Garrett Helmet (2010, Cumbria)
A discovery that sparked national debate.

• Finder: An anonymous detectorist.

• Contents: A Roman cavalry parade helmet, exquisitely decorated with a face mask.

• Significance: One of only three such helmets ever found in Britain.

• Controversy: Not classed as Treasure under the 1996 Act (being copper alloy), so it was sold at auction for £2.3 million rather than going to a museum.

• Legacy: Highlighted loopholes in the law and led to calls to expand the Treasure definition.

The Stirling Torcs (2009, Stirlingshire, Scotland)
Scotland has its own Treasure Trove system, and one of its most remarkable finds came from a detectorist.

• Finder: David Booth, on his very first detecting outing.

• Contents: A hoard of four gold torcs dating from 300–100 BC.

• Significance: Showed links between Scotland, Ireland, and continental Europe in the Iron Age.

• Legacy: Declared Treasure Trove and acquired by the National Museums of Scotland.

The Frome Hoard (2010, Somerset)
A discovery that tested both detectorist patience and archaeological best practice.

• Finder: Dave Crisp.

• Contents: Over 52,000 Roman coins contained in a large ceramic pot.

• Significance: One of the largest coin hoards ever found in Britain. Crucially, Dave stopped digging when he realised the scale of the find, allowing archaeologists to excavate it intact.

• Legacy: Preserved at the Museum of Somerset; highlighted cooperation between detectorists and professionals.

The Leekfrith Torcs (2016, Staffordshire)

• Finder: Two hobby detectorists.

• Contents: Four Iron Age gold torcs dating to around 400–250 BC.

• Significance: The oldest Iron Age gold jewellery found in Britain, demonstrating long-distance trade and craftsmanship.

• Legacy: Declared Treasure and acquired by local museums.

The Watlington Hoard (2015, Oxfordshire)

• Finder: James Mather, a detectorist with permission to search.

• Contents: A hoard of rare Anglo-Saxon coins, plus jewellery and silver ingots, buried during the Viking invasions.

• Significance: The coins depicted Alfred the Great and an obscure king, Ceolwulf II, proving they had a political alliance. This changed historians’ view of Alfred’s reign.

• Legacy: Acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Viking Hoards: Silver and History
Detectorists have been responsible for many Viking finds, including hoards of coins, hacksilver, and jewellery. Examples include:

• The Vale of York Hoard (2007) – found by father and son David and Andrew Whelan, containing over 600 silver coins and artefacts from as far away as the Middle East.

• The Galloway Hoard (2014, Scotland) – a mix of silver, gold, and unusual objects, described as one of the richest Viking hoards ever found in Britain.

These finds provide a glimpse into Viking trade networks and cultural exchange.
Smaller Finds with Big Stories
Not every significant discovery is a massive hoard. Some of the most important finds are single items that change history.
The Winfarthing Pendant (2014, Norfolk)

• A tiny Anglo-Saxon gold pendant with garnet inlay.

• Helped date a cemetery site and showed the wealth of East Anglia in the 7th century.

The Lenborough Hoard (2014, Buckinghamshire)

• 5,200 late Anglo-Saxon coins found in a lead container.

• Crucial for understanding the coinage of Aethelred II and Cnut.

The Harrogate Hoard (2007, North Yorkshire)

• A mix of Anglo-Saxon and Viking coins, plus silver jewellery.

• Showed cross-cultural exchange during the 9th century.

Detectorists Returning Lost Items
Beyond Treasure, detectorists often help people recover sentimental possessions. Rings lost at weddings, phones dropped in rivers, and jewellery misplaced on beaches are regularly returned thanks to detectorists volunteering their skills. These stories rarely make the news, but they demonstrate the goodwill and public value of the hobby.
The Role of the PAS in Recording Finds
Many significant finds would never be known without the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). Detectorists submit finds to their Finds Liaison Officer (FLO), who photographs, identifies, and records them in a national database.
As of 2025, over 1.5 million finds have been recorded, from Bronze Age axe heads to modern badges. Each one contributes to the broader archaeological picture of Britain.
Controversies and Lessons Learned
While most detectorists report responsibly, some finds have sparked controversy. The Crosby Garrett Helmet highlighted loopholes, while other cases have involved under-reporting or illegal detecting on Scheduled Monuments. These examples underline why responsible detecting, clear laws, and FLO cooperation are so important.
Why Significant Finds Inspire
These stories inspire both detectorists and the public because they connect ordinary people to extraordinary history. Many finders were hobbyists in their first years of detecting. Others were seasoned searchers who recognised something unusual and reported it.
The common theme? Responsibility and cooperation with archaeologists. Every major find that changed history was reported properly, preserved, and studied for future generations.
Conclusion: What Will Be Found Next?
The UK’s soils still hold countless secrets. From Roman roadsides to Viking settlements, from medieval manors to forgotten battlefields, every field may hide the next great discovery.
Detectorists have already changed the way we understand Britain’s past, and with every dig, they add new layers to the story. Whether it is a golden hoard, a single brooch, or a lost wedding ring, these finds matter.
The future of significant discoveries depends not just on luck, but on responsible detecting, proper reporting, and respect for heritage. That is what ensures Britain’s buried treasures become part of everyone’s history.