Metal detecting on Cornwall Council beaches (2024)

FAQs

Do I need permission to metal detect on a beach? ›

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

If you wish to metal-detect on land which is not your own, you must get permission from the landowner before you do so. If you metal-detect on land without consent, you may be charged with a criminal offence and you could be sued for damages.

Guide Beach safety and information

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).

You don't need a licence to use a metal detector in the UK, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on: private land, without permission from the owner. a Scheduled Monument.

Metal detecting is permitted on Council owned beaches.

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.

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.

Under UK law, there is no such thing as “finders keepers” and you always need a landowner's permission, both to detect and to keep anything that you may find.

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

Can I metal detect Skegness beach? ›

Metal Detecting is allowed on our beaches.

Under the Coastal Protection Act 1949, the removal of any natural material such as sand and pebbles from public beaches in the UK is illegal.

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.

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

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.

There are around 40 beaches that are owned, managed or leased by the council. Other owners include the National Trust, Duchy of Cornwall, Ministry of Defence and a number of smaller landowners.

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 ...

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.

What is classed as treasure in metal detecting? ›

Under the existing definition, objects are designated as treasure if they are found to be over 300 years old, made of gold or silver or found with artefacts made of precious metals. 'Treasure' also includes groups of coins and prehistoric metalwork.

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.

You can metal detect both in the water and on the shore, depending on what type of metal detector you have. Specific detecting techniques will improve your chances of finding valuable items on the beach. Some metal detectors are better than others when it comes to beach metal detecting.