Where can I go metal detecting?

5 hours ago

4 min read

There's nothing quite like the excitement of exploring a new permission. Fresh ground, unfamiliar history and the possibility of discovering something extraordinary. But finding somewhere new to go metal detecting isn't always easy, particularly if you don't already have landowners willing to let you search their fields.

Traditionally, we've relied on approaching farmers, joining detecting clubs, attending organised digs or visiting beaches where detecting is permitted. All perfectly good options, but what if you could simply open an app, choose a field that interests you and book yourself a day's detecting?

Well, now you can!

FieldFinders is a UK marketplace that connects detectorists with landowners offering their fields for metal detecting. Instead of spending weeks trying to secure a new permission, you can browse land that's already available, check the price, choose a date and arrange your visit online. And you don't need a paid subscription to use the marketplace.

Find your next metal detecting permission

The beauty of FieldFinders is that the landowners advertising their fields are already interested in welcoming detectorists. There's no need to track down the farmer, write an introductory letter or wonder whether somebody else has beaten you to the permission.

You can search for available fields across England, Wales and Scotland, filtering by location, price, soil type and other useful details. Listings provide information about the land, including its size, photographs, historical interest and available dates.

Perhaps you're looking for somewhere close to home, or fancy exploring an entirely different part of the country. You might be drawn to a field with medieval ridge and furrow, an interesting stretch of pasture or farmland in an area with a fascinating Roman history.

Whatever catches your eye, you can examine the available information before deciding whether it's somewhere you'd like to spend the day.

Take a look at the fields available on FieldFinders and see what takes your fancy.

Can I pay to go metal detecting for the day?

Absolutely! That's one of the most appealing aspects of the marketplace.

Landowners set their own prices, charged per detectorist per day. You can see the cost before booking, and there's no requirement to subscribe to the app's paid research tools just to find somewhere to detect.

Once you've found an interesting field, check the calendar and choose an available date. Some landowners offer instant bookings, while others prefer to approve requests individually. The platform handles the booking and payment arrangements, with confirmation and access details provided through the app.

You'll receive information about the permitted search area, field boundaries, parking and any particular instructions from the landowner. There's also a messaging facility if you need to discuss anything before your visit.

FieldFinders provides a digital search agreement covering the conditions of your visit, including arrangements for significant finds. You'll need current NCMD or FID membership, including the required public liability insurance, to book and detect through the platform.

It's a remarkably convenient way to arrange a day's detecting.

So I can detect when I'm on holiday?

Even those of us lucky enough to have our own permissions enjoy exploring somewhere new. You might have spent years searching the same farm, following old boundaries, investigating promising features and gradually building up a picture of its history. There's a certain satisfaction in knowing a permission intimately, but the prospect of fresh ground is always tempting.

FieldFinders gives you the opportunity to explore other landscapes without having to establish an entirely new relationship with a landowner.

Fancy a day's detecting in Wiltshire? Perhaps some Yorkshire farmland, or somewhere along the Welsh borders? You can browse the marketplace and see what's available.

It's also an interesting option when travelling around the UK. If you're visiting friends or spending a few days away, why not see whether there's a detecting opportunity nearby? Pack the detector alongside your usual luggage and you might discover a fascinating new permission along the way.

And because bookings are arranged for specific dates, you can fit a day's detecting around your existing plans.

More than just finding somewhere to detect

There's another interesting side to FieldFinders. Once you've secured a permission, the app has a collection of research tools that can help you investigate the land before you arrive.

Historical Ordnance Survey maps, LiDAR, archaeological records and AI-powered landscape analysis are all available through its specialist research features. You can examine the history of your chosen field, identify interesting landscape features and plan where to concentrate your detecting.

FieldFinders AI powered tools — FieldFinders contains an ecosystem of tools to enhance your metal detecting

We've been exploring these tools ourselves, with some remarkable results. In fact, during a recent field test, FieldFinders' AI directed us to an area where our very first target was a complete 1st-century CE Roman fibula! Read about our experiences in our article Can AI improve your metal detecting?

Where will your detector take you next?

One of the great pleasures of metal detecting is discovering somewhere new. Every field has its own history, and you never quite know what's waiting beneath the surface.

FieldFinders makes finding those opportunities easier, whether you're searching for your very first permission, looking for a change of scenery or simply fancy a day's detecting somewhere different.

With landowners offering fields directly through the marketplace, you could be arranging your next detecting adventure from the comfort of your sofa.

Explore FieldFinders, find a field and book your next day's detecting.