Law & permission

Guides

• Treasure Act

  What counts as Treasure? The Treasure Act and the 2023 change

  Gold or silver, 300 years old, and more than one coin. That was most of it. Since July 2023 a single metal find over 200 years old can be Treasure too.

  6 MIN READ1 NOVEMBER 2026
• Scotland

  Metal detecting in Scotland: Treasure Trove and reporting everything

  In Scotland nothing you dig up is yours by right. Not even a button. Report it, and you'll usually get it back.

  6 MIN READ1 NOVEMBER 2026
• Northern Ireland

  Metal detecting in Northern Ireland: licences and reporting

  Northern Ireland has the strictest detecting law in the UK. Digging to search for archaeological objects needs a licence, and hobbyists don't get one.

  5 MIN READ1 NOVEMBER 2026
• Beaches

  Metal detecting on UK beaches: who owns the sand, and the rules

  Beaches feel like free ground. They aren't. Every foreshore in the UK has an owner, and the biggest one has rules.

  4 MIN READ1 NOVEMBER 2026
• Permission

  Metal detecting permission letter and finds agreement template

  A good letter gets you onto the land. A good agreement means you'll still be welcome in five years.

  6 MIN READ1 NOVEMBER 2026