Location Guide • North West
Metal Detecting in Lancashire
The Forest of Bowland, Ribble valley and coastal plain offer the best detecting in this largely industrial county. Roman roads and Viking settlement leave their mark on the productive farmland.
Top Site Type
Ribble valley arable farmland
Best Detector Type
Multi-frequency
Region
North West
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Lancashire
5,751 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Lancashire.
Lancashire Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Lancashire
Coin 1,459Weight 465Vessel 447Buckle 248Spindle Whorl 181Debitage 169Token 166Mount 156
Post Medieval and Medieval material leads Lancashire's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Lancashire 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.
Lancashire Metal Detecting Clubs
Lancashire Finds Liaison Officer
Beaches & Coastal Detecting
Lancashire 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 5,751 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Lancashire, the Post Medieval period is the strongest (2,270 finds), followed by Medieval, Roman. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, weight and vessel, with coin alone accounting for 1,459 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Lancashire
Geology
Carboniferous limestone and Coal Measures in the east (largely moorland and urban). Glacial till and river alluvium on the Fylde Coast and Ribble valley. Triassic sandstone in the south.
Site Types to Target
Ribble valley arable farmland, Fylde coastal plain fields, fields adjacent to Roman road network (Ribchester road)
What You Can Find
Roman military material near Ribchester (Bremetennacum), Viking-age silver in the coastal plain, medieval material in the Ribble valley, post-medieval material from farming communities
Notable Discoveries
The Cuerdale Hoard (1840) was one of the largest Viking silver hoards ever found, discovered on the Ribble near Preston. Roman Ribchester produces consistent military material.
Detecting Tips
The Viking-age potential in the Ribble/Lune corridor is significant and underexplored. Roman Ribchester hinterland is worth systematic attention. Fylde coast farmland is accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Lancashire?
You can detect on private land in Lancashire 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 Lancashire?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Lancashire 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 Lancashire?
Lancashire 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 Lancashire?
Lancashire has 5,751 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Post Medieval period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, weight and vessel, with coin alone accounting for 1,459 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 Lancashire?
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