Beach safety and information - Metal detecting on beaches - East Devon (2024)

FAQs

Can you metal detect on Devon beaches? ›

Metal detecting is allowed at any time for individuals. Don't forget to check the tides first. You should hold appropriate public liability insurance, report any significant finds to us and leave the beach as you found it (re-instating any holes).

The basic rules of detecting. 1. You must have permission to detect on any land.

Metal detecting is permitted on Council owned beaches. There is a list of these below. You do not need a permit to do this. Where a beach is leased out we advise you to seek permission from the beach leaseholder as well.

The wet sand area is the area between the low tide and high tide water lines. It may be a large area at low tide or a small area at high tide, depending on the tides. Typically this area produces some of the best treasures.

This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land. Under UK law there is no such thing as “finders keepers”. You always need the landowner's permission to detect on an area of land and to keep anything you find on their land.

Anybody wishing to carry out metal detecting on Crown Estate foreshore (defined as the land between mean high water and mean low water) may do so without a formal consent from The Crown Estate, however this is strictly subject to the Terms and Conditions and any third party right(s) as indicated under section 2 of the ...

There are no restrictions for using a metal detector on the beaches.

Fees and charges. The cost of a metal detecting permit is £31 per site.

You must report treasure to the local coroner within 14 days of finding it. The Portable Antiquities Scheme can help you report treasure and archaeological finds.

The Do's & Don'ts

Obtain permission before venturing on to any land. Do not leave a mess or an unsafe surface for those who may follow. It is perfectly simple to extract a coin or other small object buried a few inches below the ground without digging a great hole.

What do people look for on the beach with metal detectors? ›

While locating treasure isn't a daily occurrence, major beach metal detecting finds happen from time to time. Money, gold coins, jewels, and historical artifacts are all good targets that have been found during beach searches.

Metals That Can't Be Detected

Stainless steel has low magnetic permeability, which means it does not produce a signal strong enough to be detected. Other items that metal detectors won't be able to locate include: Gemstones.

There is no wonder why the farmers field is probably the most popular place to go metal detecting in the UK. Most of the great finds, and hoards have been found here.

Any high-salt, high-moisture products, complicated by air bubbles and differing densities, can negatively impact a metal detector's ability to distinguish between actual non-ferrous metal contaminants and the false signal given by a combination of typical product attributes.

Before you go metal-detecting

Any finds discovered will normally be the property of the landowner, so to avoid disputes it is advisable to get permission and agreement in writing first regarding the ownership of any finds subsequently discovered.

YES! You shouldn't really consider Metal Detecting without some Insurance cover. Before you join any club, go on a rally, visit a beach or go on your own permission, my advice is to get insured!

The best metal detectors for beginners are not just user-friendly, but fairly affordable. The Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker is our best overall pick because it's reliable and user-friendly, but the SUNPOW Foldable Metal Detector comes a close second with its intuitive LCD control screen.

Regardless of the region that you detect, there are a number of best practices that should always be adhered to: Do not trespass; always respect private property and do no metal detecting without the owner's permission.

Can I keep treasure I find? ›

The finder's rights depend on how the found property is categorized. If the found property is lost, abandoned, or treasure trove, the person who found it gets to keep it unless the original owner claims it (so actually, unless the original owner claims it, the rule is “finders keepers”).

A good number of detectorists clean up and refurbish old or dirty items to then resell them or put them to use. This includes old and slightly damaged tools, relics, and pieces of finds that can be repurposed into other craft items.

Most metal detectors can detect objects about 4-8ʺ (10 - 20 cm) deep. In ideal conditions, a mid-range metal detector can reach 12-18ʺ (30-45 cm) underground. Some specialized detectors can go as deep as 65' (20 m).

Sand Crabs are your answer! Sand Crabs are usually only out at night and they are ghostly white and can only be spotted with flashlights. They are quick little creatures as well.

Late at night, you'll see people taking flashlights to the beach. They're out there because you can spot crabs making their way across the sand. However, the light from your flashlight may confuse sea turtles who think it's moonlight, causing them to head in the wrong direction.

In short, yes, they work. Many Android apps come equipped with a magnetometer. It's mostly used for stuff like GPS or part of the compass functionality. However, it is also capable of detecting metal.

In general parks are the most accessible location to metal detect, simply because they can be found in or around almost any town in the United States. Many of these parks, whether state or county owned, exhibit large swaths of open land along with historical preservations such as monuments or buildings.

A rebar detector can accurately measure the location and depth of steel rods. You can use either handheld rebar locator units or ground-penetrating radar systems to accurately find rebar within concrete.

No person shall on the access land use any device designed or adapted for detecting or locating any metal or mineral in the ground unless he is authorised to do so by the Authority.

Here on Ocean Isle Beach metal detecting is allowed on the beaches and with a few common sense guidelines you can have a fun and successful day combing the beach for hidden treasures.

Can you metal detect at Sandy Hook? ›

Metal detectors are not allowed and all historic objects and buildings are protected. Plants and animals are protected within the national recreation area. Fires are allowed only in designated areas. Alcoholic beverages at Sandy Hook are prohibited.