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Do I need a permit to metal detect on UK beaches?
You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. 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”.
Do you need a licence to go metal detecting on a beach?
Instead of needing a license to use your metal detector on the beach, you are often required to have a permit. Most beaches, if not all, are owned by the local council, and you require a permit to use your metal detector on them.
Do you need a license to metal detect UK?
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.
How much is a metal detector licence UK?
The cost of a metal detecting permit is £31 per site.
Where can you legally metal detect without permission UK?
By the way, in the UK don’t need a licence to use a metal detector, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on private land without permission from the owner. It is also illegal on a scheduled ancient monument or in an area of archaeological importance.
Can I metal detect on public footpaths UK?
If you have found a public footpath you think could be a good place to metal detect then you will need to find the land owner to ask for permission. Footpaths are a great place to metal detect though, as for many years people have been walking up and down them and perhaps taking their dogs for walks along them.
Can I metal detect in parks UK?
Information Metal detecting in parks, play areas and gardens Metal detecting is allowed in our parks, play areas and gardens. However, digging to recover any finds is banned under section 13 of the bye-law relating to pleasure grounds.
Can I metal detect in public woods UK?
Yes, you can metal detect in woods! Woods and forest areas are excellent places to metal detect, as they are well-used paths littered with treasures and relics that have been dropped over the years.
Can you keep found treasure UK?
You only need to report items officially defined as treasure. There’s an unlimited fine or up to 3 months in prison for not reporting treasure. You can get help reporting treasure to your local coroner in Wales by contacting the curators at the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.
Do you need a licence to metal detect on the beach?
You don’t need a licence for a metal detector, licences where abolished in 1980 by the Home Office, you need a permit to use a metal detector on a small number of beaches, all other beaches you don’t need a licence and can use your metal detector freely. Do you need permission to metal detect on the beach?
Do you need permission to metal detect offshore UK?
As for consent, the entire offshore in the UK is owned by someone and therefore you need permission from the landowner to detect as metal detecting is not a public right. You have to have a permit to metal detect on Crown Estate beaches. You are able to get this permit from the Crown Estate website.
Can I use a metal detector on public land?
Metal detectors can be used on public land owned by the council, but your need council permission to dig on public land, you can use a metal detector and dig on beaches without permission, there are some beaches which require a permit and the Crown Estate website can tell you which ones and let you apply for a permit.
Do I need permission to use a detection machine on beaches?
For example, if you want to use a detection machine on a public beach, then you will need to ask the local authorities for permission. On the other hand, detecting on any of the River Thames beaches, as long as they are within the boundaries of London, requires you to pay a fee.