Location Guide • East of England
Metal Detecting in Hertfordshire
Two Roman roads (Watling Street and Ermine Street) cross the county, making it rich in Roman material. The Chiltern chalk fringe in the north and the Lee and Colne river valleys add further potential.
Top Site Type
River valley arable farmland
Best Detector Type
Multi-frequency
Region
East of England
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Hertfordshire
21,419 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Hertfordshire
Coin 13,247Buckle 998Brooch 921Mount 543Token 505Vessel 426Cloth Seal 296Jetton 272
Roman and Medieval material leads Hertfordshire's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Hertfordshire 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.
Nearby Metal Detecting Clubs
No clubs are currently listed in Hertfordshire. Browse the wider clubs directory for nearby options.
Hertfordshire Finds Liaison Officer
PAS Analysis
Of the 21,419 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Hertfordshire, the Roman period is the strongest (11,021 finds), followed by Medieval, Post Medieval. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, buckle and brooch, with coin alone accounting for 13,247 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Hertfordshire
Geology
London Clay in the south transitioning to Chalk in the north (Chilterns fringe). Lee and Colne river terrace gravels. Glacial gravels overlying chalk in places.
Site Types to Target
River Lee and Colne valley farmland, Chiltern chalk fringe fields, fields along Watling Street and Ermine Street
What You Can Find
Roman coins and bronzes along road corridors, Iron Age Catuvellauni tribe coins, medieval dress accessories, post-medieval material in Lee and Colne valleys
Notable Discoveries
Verlamion (St Albans) was a major Iron Age oppidum and Roman town – surrounding fields have produced exceptional material. Welwyn Garden City area has produced Iron Age gold.
Detecting Tips
Focus on the Roman road corridors and around known settlement sites. Iron Age and early Roman transition period material from this county is world-class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Hertfordshire?
You can detect on private land in Hertfordshire with the landowner’s permission. 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 Hertfordshire?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire?
Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire?
Hertfordshire has 21,419 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Roman period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, buckle and brooch, with coin alone accounting for 13,247 records.
Sources & Last Checked
PAS data from finds.org.uk, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Last checked July 2026.
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Detecting in Hertfordshire?
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