Metal Detecting Location Guides
County-by-county guides for metal detecting across England: where to research, permission pointers, protected-site cautions and links to local clubs, suppliers and Finds Liaison Officers.
Start with your county
Each guide is a practical starting point for researching a new permission or local area: landscape and history notes, recorded finds, local archaeology and historic land use, plus the local clubs, suppliers and FLO to know. Always confirm landowner permission and check for protected sites before you detect.
Choose your area
Click an area on the map to filter the county list, or search for a county directly.
Tap an area to filter · then pick a county on the right
All published county guides
47 counties · EnglandAll location guides by area
Every published county guide on Detectorist World, grouped by area.
Midlands (12)
Derbyshire Herefordshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Northamptonshire Nottinghamshire Rutland Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire West Midlands WorcestershireAbout the location guides
What is in each county guide?
Each guide gives a practical overview for that county: the kind of landscape and history that shapes recorded finds, sensible research pointers, protected-site cautions, and links to the local metal detecting clubs, suppliers and Finds Liaison Officer where we have them listed.
Does a county guide give me permission to detect there?
No. A guide is research and orientation only. You always need permission from the landowner or the person with authority over the land, and you must not use a metal detector on a scheduled monument without the required written consent. Before detecting on an SSSI or other protected land, check the site designation, local restrictions and whether consent from Natural England or another authority is required. See our UK metal detecting laws guide before you go.
Which parts of the UK are covered?
The guides currently cover the English counties. Wales shares some legislation and finds-reporting arrangements with England but has its own heritage bodies and local guidance. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate different systems, so they will be covered separately.
My county has a guide but little local detail. Why?
Every county has a guide as a starting point, and we are steadily filling in local clubs, suppliers and FLO details. If you know a club or supplier we are missing, please submit a listing.
Detect responsibly, wherever you are
Always get landowner permission. Do not use a metal detector on a scheduled monument without the required written consent. Before detecting on an SSSI or other protected land, check the site designation, local restrictions and whether consent is required. Report potential treasure or archaeological finds through the correct route. For the basics, start with the Detectorist World guides.
Browse the beginner guidesCounty-by-county guides for metal detecting across England: where to research, permission pointers, protected-site cautions and links to local clubs, suppliers and Finds Liaison Officers.
