Location Guide • South West
Metal Detecting in Somerset
From the Somerset Levels (which have produced remarkable Bronze Age material) to the Quantock Hills and Mendip limestone – Somerset is one of England’s most archaeologically diverse counties.
Top Site Type
Mendip limestone arable
Best Detector Type
Multi-frequency
Region
South West
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Somerset
23,225 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Somerset.
Somerset Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Somerset
Coin 9,929Vessel 2,251Buckle 1,319Brooch 1,221Token 589Mount 412Debitage 394Scraper (tool) 386
Roman and Post Medieval material leads Somerset's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Somerset 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.
Somerset Metal Detecting Clubs
Somerset Finds Liaison Officer
Beaches & Coastal Detecting
Somerset 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 23,225 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Somerset, the Roman period is the strongest (9,818 finds), followed by Post Medieval, Medieval. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, vessel and buckle, with coin alone accounting for 9,929 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Somerset
Geology
Carboniferous limestone (Mendips) excellent preservation. Triassic and Jurassic sandstone in the west and south. Somerset Levels peat – outstanding organic preservation. River valleys productive.
Site Types to Target
Mendip limestone arable, Taunton Vale farmland, levels hinterland fields, Quantock Hills fringe farmland
What You Can Find
Bronze Age hoards from the Levels hinterland, Iron Age material on the Mendips, Roman coins and bronzes from Ilchester area (Lindinis), medieval material from Glastonbury estate
Notable Discoveries
The Shapwick Hoard (9,238 Roman denarii) is the largest Roman coin hoard found in Britain. The Batcombe hoard and numerous Bronze Age finds from the Levels confirm Somerset’s exceptional potential.
Detecting Tips
The area around Glastonbury, Street and Shepton Mallet is extraordinarily rich. Medieval Glastonbury estate land has produced significant ecclesiastical finds. Mendip limestone gives excellent depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Somerset?
You can detect on private land in Somerset 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 Somerset?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Somerset 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 Somerset?
Somerset 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 Somerset?
Somerset has 23,225 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Roman period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, vessel and buckle, with coin alone accounting for 9,929 records.
Sources & Last Checked
PAS data from finds.org.uk, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Last checked July 2026.
Find local detectorists, clubs, suppliers and FLOs
Detecting in Somerset?
Submit your club, suggest a correction or share a great spot – help make this guide the best local resource for detectorists in Somerset.
Submit a ListingSuggest an Edit
