Hints & Tips

Metal Detector Code of Conduct

  1. Do not trespass. Obtain permission from the landowner before venturing on to any land
  2. Respect the country code. Do not leave gates open and do not damage crops or frighten animals
  3. Wherever the site may be, 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. Use a suitalble digging implement to cut a neat flap (do not remove the plug of earth entirely from the ground). Extract the object, reinstate the grass, sand or soil carefully and even you will have trouble locating the spot again.
  4. If you discover any live amunition or any other lethal object such as an unexploded bomb or mine, do not disturb it. Mark the site carefully and report the find to the local police and the land owner.
  5. Help keep Britain tidy. Safely dispose of any rubbish you come across
  6. Report all unusual historical finds to the land owner and, acquaint yourself with current NCMD policy relating to the voluntary reporting of portable antiques.
  7. Remember it is illegal for anyone to use a metal detector on a protected area (e.g. scheduled archaeological site, special site of scientific interest or MOD property), without permission from the appropriate authority.
  8. Acquaint yourself with the definitions of Treasure contained in the Treasure Act 1996 and its associated code of practice, making sure you understand your responsibilities.
  9. Remember that when you are out with your metal detector you are an ambassador for our hobby. Do nothing that might give it a bad name.
  10. Never miss an opportunity to explain your hobby to anyone who asks about it.


Beach Metal Detecting Tips - By W.F.Harris

Wet sand detecting
When detecting below the high water mark there are a few golden do's and don'ts.

  • Do not rush out and buy the cheapest detector available, you must have the right machine for the job, being stable on the wet sand in conjunction with deep seeking capabilities.
  • To find the gold and coinage in quantity, the type of beach composition you must be looking for is: brown sand on black sand, black sand, hard pack, stone beds on black or hard pack sand, all these mediums must be within the depth range of your machine.
  • Look for iron-infested patches, the art in working this type of beach is to use the all-metal mode on your detector and isolate each signal with a circular motion of the search coil. Now test the signal on discriminate whilst being careful not to overlap to another signal. I found an Edwardian purse full of coinage; three of the coins were two Sovereigns and a Crown, from this type of area.
  • Old photo's of the beach or old post cards, these will show you where the people of that era sat on the beach, also it will show you where the bathing machines went down to the waters edge.

Surf detecting or shallow water detecting
This is mostly done in the Mediterranean where there is a lot of gold to be found in shallow water detecting, the same rules apply.

  • Brown on black sand or black sand on hard pack, this time you don't want the stones, they will just fill up your scoop and it makes life hard.
  • A good underwater detector is a must for this type of detecting.
  • A strong scoop is also needed.
  • Soft sand is no good at all, walk until you feel the seabed getting firm then test for black sand, this is where thin-soled surfing boots come in handy; you will be able to feel the change in the seabed. So the golden rule is if there is no black sand there will not be very much gold.
  • Out of season the Mediterranean can get a bit cold at times so get a good wet suit, you will soon recoup your expenditure.

Dry sand detecting

By this we mean above the high water mark, will produce lots of recent losses in the form of coins and jewellery. If you find any piece of jewellery, try to find the owner by starting at the local police station, ask them if anything has been reported lost within the last few months in the area you found it. The look on someone's face when you return a lost ring or trinket is worth every penny.

Look at the beach during the day or find a postcard showing the beach at the height of summer, this will show the 'hot spots' to search where you have the greatest numbers of people congregating.

Try and detect before people are on the beach and after they have left, this causes the least inconvenience to other beach users and you won't feel like the 'pied piper' with hoards of kids trying to dig your every signal.

Last and by no means least, please remember to fill in any holes you have dug, even on the beach, leave everything as you found it and take any litter home or dispose of it thoughtfully, it's a great hobby, let's keep it that way!