Location Guide • South West
Metal Detecting in Devon
England’s third largest county with diverse geology. Red sandstone farmland is productive for medieval material, while the river valleys have delivered Iron Age and Roman finds.
Top Site Type
Mid-Devon arable farmland
Best Detector Type
Multi-frequency
Region
South West
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Devon
8,820 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Devon.
Devon Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Devon
Coin 3,163Buckle 753Vessel 493Musket Ball 376Weight 240Token 238Mount 209Button 201
Post Medieval and Medieval material leads Devon's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Devon Metal Detecting Finds
Data and images from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (finds.org.uk), © The Trustees of the British Museum, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Figures reflect objects voluntarily recorded by finders and do not represent all finds made in the county. Last updated July 2026.
Devon Metal Detecting Clubs
Devon Finds Liaison Officer
Beaches & Coastal Detecting
Devon has a coastline, and beach detecting follows different rules to farmland. Most foreshore between the high and low water marks in England is Crown Estate land, and the Crown Estate operates a general permission for recreational detecting on much of its managed foreshore, though you should check the current terms. Council-owned beaches often need the local authority’s permission, and some beaches are privately owned or leased. Always check for scheduled monuments, SSSIs and local byelaws before detecting, and never detect where it is signposted as prohibited.
PAS Analysis
Of the 8,820 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Devon, the Post Medieval period is the strongest (4,446 finds), followed by Medieval, Roman. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, buckle and vessel, with coin alone accounting for 3,163 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Devon
Geology
Devonian red sandstone (Old Red Sandstone) in mid-Devon gives moderate preservation. Dartmoor and Exmoor granite and slate are acidic. River valley alluvium along the Exe, Taw and Tamar.
Site Types to Target
Mid-Devon red sandstone arable fields, Exe and Taw valley farmland, coastal fields near medieval harbour sites
What You Can Find
Medieval coins and dress accessories, post-medieval material near harbour towns, Iron Age and Roman material in the river valleys
Notable Discoveries
The Hallaton Treasure equivalent in scale has not been found in Devon, but consistent Roman finds near Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum). Notable Civil War relics from Dartmoor edge farmland.
Detecting Tips
Red sandstone soils hold moisture well – detect after dry spells. Dartmoor is essentially off-limits and produces nothing due to acid soils. The Exe valley is your best bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Devon?
You can detect on private land in Devon with the landowner’s permission, and on much of the Crown Estate foreshore if you are on the coast. You must avoid scheduled monuments, SSSIs and other protected sites. Joining a local club is the easiest way to reach permissioned land.
Is metal detecting legal in Devon?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Devon on land where you have the landowner’s permission, as long as you avoid protected sites and follow the law on reporting treasure and recording finds.
Who is the Finds Liaison Officer for Devon?
Devon is covered by a Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer who records finds made by the public. See the FLO section on this page for contact details, or search finds.org.uk.
What finds turn up in Devon?
Devon has 8,820 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Post Medieval period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, buckle and vessel, with coin alone accounting for 3,163 records.
Sources & Last Checked
PAS data from finds.org.uk, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Last checked July 2026.
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