top of page
Search

Can You Metal Detect in Woods?

  • Writer: Holly
    Holly
  • Aug 18
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 20


metal detecting in the woods

There’s something magical about walking into an ancient woodland with a detector in hand. The smell of damp leaves, shafts of sunlight breaking through the trees, and the thought that people have been using these paths for centuries makes the imagination run wild. It’s easy to picture medieval hunters, Victorian picnickers, or even Roman soldiers passing through. But before you start digging under the trees, there are some important rules to know.


Permission Is Still Essential

The golden rule of detecting in the UK never changes: you must always have permission from the landowner before you detect, no matter where you go. That includes woodland.

Some beginners think that woods are “public” and fair game, but that’s not the case. All woodland is owned by someone, whether it’s a private landowner, the local council, or a larger organisation. Without permission, detecting there is trespass — and if you remove finds, it can be considered theft.


Who Owns the Woods?

Ownership varies from place to place. Common situations include:

  • Private woodland: Owned by individuals or estates. You’ll need to ask permission directly from the owner.

  • Council woodland: Sometimes councils own patches of woodland for public recreation. Detecting may or may not be allowed, depending on local policy. Always check the council’s website.

  • National Trust woodland: The National Trust has a blanket ban on detecting, so their woods are completely off-limits.

  • Forestry England land: This government body manages large areas of woodland. They generally do not grant detecting permission, since much of their land is considered archaeologically sensitive.

In short, unless permission is clearly granted in writing, you cannot detect there.


Why Woods Can Be Tempting

Woodlands often feel like a hidden time capsule. Paths and clearings may have been used for centuries. You could stumble across:

  • Lost coins from travellers or traders.

  • Musket balls and buckles from hunting or military activity.

  • Household objects discarded when woods were used for grazing or charcoal burning.

But while woods may feel undisturbed, they are also some of the most sensitive environments for both nature and archaeology. That’s part of why landowners and organisations are cautious about allowing detecting.


Archaeological Sensitivity

Woods often contain ancient earthworks, burial mounds, or the remains of settlements. Digging into these without permission and proper supervision risks damaging heritage that cannot be replaced.

This is why large landowning bodies — such as Forestry England and the National Trust — take a hard line against detecting. It’s not because they dislike the hobby; it’s because the risk to protected archaeology is so high.


Finds in Woodland

If you do gain permission to detect in woodland, what might you find?

Expect much the same as farmland: coins, buckles, buttons, and musket balls. But woodland soil can preserve objects differently. Acidic soil might corrode metals faster, while damp conditions may keep them in surprisingly good condition.

The finds themselves often tell stories of how people used the woodland — whether for travel, hunting, or community gatherings.


The Legal Side

Even in woods, the same laws apply as elsewhere:

  • Finds belong to the landowner unless agreed otherwise.

  • Items that qualify as Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996 must be reported to your local Finds Liaison Officer through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).

  • Recording non-Treasure finds with PAS is encouraged, as it builds a bigger picture of how woodlands were used in the past.


Practical Challenges of Detecting in Woods

Woods bring some unique challenges compared to open farmland:

  • Ground conditions: Roots make digging tricky and risk damaging trees.

  • Signal interference: Modern rubbish like drinks cans or foil can litter woodland near footpaths.

  • Accessibility: Dense undergrowth, uneven ground, and poor lighting can make detecting slow work.

For these reasons, many detectorists find woods more difficult than fields. But when permission is granted, they can yield fascinating finds.


Final Thoughts

So, can you metal detect in woods? Yes, but only if you have clear permission from the landowner. Much woodland in the UK is owned by councils, large organisations, or conservation bodies that do not permit detecting. Private woodland may be more accessible, but the same rules apply.

Handled responsibly, detecting in woods can be rewarding. But without permission, it is both illegal and damaging. For beginners, the message is simple: respect the rule of permission, record what you find, and enjoy the hunt where it’s allowed.


Sources & Further Reading

bottom of page