Metal Detecting Resources & Links

📜 Laws, Codes & Permissions

• Treasure Act 1996: Code of Practice (3rd Revision, 2023) – the official government document explaining what counts as Treasure and how to report it.

• Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting (2017) – endorsed by detecting and heritage bodies, outlining responsible detecting principles.

• Historic England – Scheduled Monuments List – check if a site is protected before detecting.

• Cadw – Historic Environment Service (Wales) – official information on protected sites in Wales.

• Historic Environment Scotland – includes details of scheduled monuments and detecting in Scotland.

• Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) – details on licensing and restrictions in Northern Ireland.

🏛️ Organisations & Associations

• National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD) – membership, £10m liability insurance, and representation for UK detectorists.

• Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) – record your finds and contact your local Finds Liaison Officer (FLO).

• British Museum: Treasure and PAS – official national hub for Treasure cases and PAS oversight.

• Treasure Trove Unit (Scotland) – guidance on reporting finds in Scotland.

• Portable Antiquities Advisory Group (PAAG) – promotes responsible detecting and recording.

⚒️ Equipment & Gear

• Joan Allen Metal Detectors – established UK dealer of detectors and accessories.

• Regton Metal Detectors – family-run detector shop in Birmingham.

• Detecting Innovations – accessories and spares for many machines.

• LP Metal Detecting – London-based supplier of detectors and gear.

📚 Finds Identification & Research

• PAS Finds Database – search over a million recorded finds.

• UK Detector Finds Database (UKDFD) – a voluntary database of finds recorded by detectorists.

• Spink’s Coins of England and the United Kingdom – essential reference for coin identification.

• Archaeology Data Service – access reports, site records, and excavation archives.

👥 Clubs, Forums & Communities

• NCMD Club Directory – find local clubs across the UK.

• The Detecting Hub – independent UK detecting forum.

• UK Detector Net – discussion forums and resources for hobbyists.

• Facebook Groups – many local clubs and rally organisers maintain active Facebook communities. Try searching for your county + “metal detecting club.”

🌊 Beach Detecting

• Crown Estate – Foreshore Permissions – details on detecting rights between high and low tide.

• Port of London Authority – Foreshore Permits – required for detecting on the Thames foreshore.

• Crown Estate Scotland – guidance on foreshore detecting in Scotland.

🛡️ Safety & Insurance

• NCMD Insurance Details – £10m liability insurance included in membership.

• Health & Safety Executive (HSE) – general outdoor work safety guidance.

• St John Ambulance – First Aid Advice – useful resources for field safety.

📖 Further Learning
Books

• The Searcher’s Guide to Metal Detecting – practical advice for UK conditions.

• Metal Detecting for Beginners by Vince Lea.

• The Detectorist by Mick Turrell – stories, tips, and ethics.

YouTube Channels

• Addicted to Bleeps – UK-based detectorist with tutorials and rallies.

• Sid Perry Metal Detecting – experienced detectorist sharing finds and advice.

• LP Metal Detecting – gear reviews and how-to videos.

🤝 Contribute to Our Resources
Do you know of a helpful club, tool, or guide we should add? Get in touch via our Contact page and help us grow this list for the UK detecting community.