Metal Detecting Guides and Tutorials: The Complete UK Resource

Introduction to Metal Detecting
Metal detecting involves scanning the ground with a machine that emits an electromagnetic field. When the field interacts with a metallic object, the detector signals the presence of a target.
People detect for many reasons:

• History and archaeology – uncovering coins, artefacts, and relics.

• Recreation – enjoying the countryside and beaches.

• Treasure hunting – reporting valuable or significant finds under the Treasure Act 1996.

• Community service – helping people recover lost rings, keys, or jewellery.

A UK-specific hobby
The UK is one of the best places in the world to detect because of its long, continuous history of human settlement—from the Stone Age to the modern era. Every field, footpath, and foreshore has the potential to reveal centuries of human activity.
Essential Legal Knowledge Before You Start
Permission is mandatory
Every inch of land is owned by someone. You must obtain explicit landowner permission to detect. Written permission is strongly recommended.
Treasure Act 1996
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must report finds that qualify as Treasure within 14 days. The 2023 3rd Revision of the Code of Practice extended Treasure to include significant artefacts over 200 years old, even if not gold or silver.
Scotland follows Treasure Trove law: all archaeological finds must be reported to the Crown via the Treasure Trove Unit.
Protected sites
It is illegal to detect on Scheduled Monuments, battlefields, or protected heritage land. Always check local listings with Historic England, Cadw (Wales), Historic Environment Scotland, or NIEA (Northern Ireland).
Beaches and foreshore

• Crown Estate foreshore (between high and low tide) in England, Wales and NI: detecting is usually permitted.

• River Thames foreshore (Teddington Lock to Thames Barrier): requires a Port of London Authority permit.

• Scotland: No permit needed on foreshore, but Treasure Trove applies.

Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs) and PAS
All significant finds should be recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) via your local FLO. They ensure your discoveries contribute to national heritage records.
Choosing the Right Metal Detector
Entry-level detectors
Best for beginners (£150–£300). Examples:

• Garrett Ace 250 / 300i

• Minelab Vanquish 340

• Nokta Simplex

Mid-range detectors
For more depth and discrimination (£400–£700). Examples:

• Minelab Vanquish 540

• Nokta Legend

• Garrett ACE Apex

High-end detectors
Advanced features (£800–£1,200+). Examples:

• Minelab Equinox 900

• XP Deus II

• Minelab Manticore

Detector features explained

• Discrimination: separates iron junk from desirable targets.

• Ground balance: adjusts for mineralised soil.

• Frequency: single vs multi-frequency detectors.

• Coil size: small coils are precise in trashy ground, large coils go deeper.

• Waterproofing: necessary for beaches and rivers.

Essential Accessories

• Pinpointer: Hand-held mini detector for precise target location.

• Digging tools: Flat spades or serrated digging knives (avoid garden forks).

• Finds pouch: Carries coins and artefacts safely.

• Headphones: Block outside noise and amplify faint signals.

• Gloves and knee pads: For safety and comfort.

• Containers: Protect delicate items like coins or jewellery.

• NCMD membership card: Provides liability insurance and proof of responsible practice.

Beginner Metal Detecting Tutorials
Step 1: Learn your machine
Read the manual, watch online tutorials, and practise in your garden with coins, bottle caps, and nails buried at shallow depths.
Step 2: Start on easy ground
Begin with flat, ploughed fields, pasture, or beaches where digging is simple.
Step 3: Learn signals

• Sharp, repeatable tones often mean coins or small artefacts.

• Broken, jumpy signals often indicate iron.

• Deep targets may sound faint—always dig those.

Step 4: Master plug cutting
Cut a neat plug of turf, flip it back, and replace it carefully. This avoids damaging the land and keeps farmers happy.
Step 5: Record every find
Even mundane buttons and musket balls contribute to the archaeological record.
Detecting Techniques: Tutorials for Improvement
Sweep technique

• Keep your coil low and flat to the ground.

• Overlap sweeps by one-third.

• Move slowly for maximum depth.

Grid method
Mark out a field section and work it systematically. Prevents missed targets.
Pinpointing

• Use your detector’s pinpoint mode to narrow down the target.

• Use a handheld pinpointer for final location.

Sensitivity settings
Turn sensitivity up until the machine becomes unstable, then reduce slightly. This balances depth with stability.
Discrimination and tones
Avoid over-discriminating. Beginners often block out iron entirely, but this risks missing desirable items near iron (e.g., medieval brooches).
Detecting Environments: Guides
Farmland
Most rewarding but requires written permission. Focus near old footpaths, rivers, and hedgerows.
Pasture
Signals tend to be shallower but soil preserves artefacts well.
Ploughed fields
Good after ploughing and rain when soil is turned and targets come within range.
Beaches
Look after storms or strong tides. Wet sand requires a detector with good ground balance.
Woodland
Often quiet, but permissions can be harder to obtain. Watch out for protected woodland areas.
Finds Identification and Recording
Common finds

• Roman coins and brooches.

• Medieval hammered silver.

• Georgian and Victorian coins.

• Lead tokens, musket balls, buckles.

Identification tutorials

• Use PAS’s online Finds Database.

• Reference books (e.g., Spink’s Coins of England).

• FLO consultations and club meetings.

Recording best practice

• Note grid references (use GPS or What3Words).

• Photograph with a scale.

• Store in acid-free bags or coin flips.

Treasure Reporting: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify potential Treasure (e.g., gold, silver, hoards, 200+ year significant artefacts).

2. Notify your FLO within 14 days.

3. FLO submits a Treasure Report to the coroner.

4. Coroner’s inquest decides status.

5. Museums may acquire finds (with financial reward split 50/50 between finder and landowner).

Failing to report Treasure is a criminal offence.
Advanced Metal Detecting Tutorials
Target masking
Learn how iron objects can “mask” good finds. Use smaller coils or change angles.
Depth hunting
Use larger coils and lower discrimination for deeper finds.
Site research
Study old maps, parish records, and aerial photographs to identify hotspots like medieval villages or Roman roads.
Rally detecting
Large events on permissioned land—good for networking and learning. Always follow rally rules and etiquette.
Ethics and Best Practice Tutorials

• Always fill holes neatly.

• Respect crops and livestock.

• Avoid litter and carry a bag for rubbish.

• Report all finds of archaeological interest.

• Work with archaeologists when invited.

Online Metal Detecting Tutorials and Resources

• YouTube: Hundreds of UK channels demonstrate detector use and finds identification.

• NCMD website: Tutorials on permissions, insurance, and codes of conduct.

• PAS website: Online tutorials on reporting finds and using the database.

• Clubs: Many provide in-person training sessions for beginners.

Safety Tutorials

• Carry a first aid kit.

• Watch for unexploded ordnance—contact authorities if found.

• Stay hydrated and dress for the weather.

• Be aware of livestock, dogs, and uneven ground.

• Avoid night detecting unless fully prepared and with landowner approval.

Conclusion: Your Next Steps in Metal Detecting
Metal detecting is more than a hobby—it’s a way to connect with the past and contribute to heritage. By following guides and tutorials, choosing the right equipment, practising good techniques, and respecting the law, you’ll set yourself up for success.
From your first coin on a village green to recording finds with the PAS, every step is a learning journey. Join a local club, connect with your FLO, and get out into the fields. The history of Britain is waiting to be discovered beneath your feet.