Location Guide • West Midlands
Metal Detecting in West Midlands
An almost entirely urban county. Very limited detecting land. The rural fringe near Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the Staffordshire border offers some opportunities.
Top Site Type
Rural fringe only
Best Detector Type
VLF single-frequency
Region
West Midlands
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in West Midlands
479 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in West Midlands.
West Midlands Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in West Midlands
Coin 208Buckle 40Strap Fitting 20Brooch 18Vessel 17Token 11Unidentified Object 10Mount 9
West Midlands has relatively few recorded finds, reflecting its largely urban character; coin make up the bulk of what has been logged.
Recent West Midlands 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.
West Midlands Metal Detecting Clubs
West Midlands Finds Liaison Officer
PAS Analysis
Of the 479 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in West Midlands, the Post Medieval period is the strongest (213 finds), followed by Medieval, Roman. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, buckle and strap fitting, with coin alone accounting for 208 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in West Midlands
Geology
Coal Measures and urban development cover almost all the county. River Tame and Rea valley alluvium in the urban core.
Site Types to Target
Rural fringe farmland in Solihull, northern fringe near Sutton Coldfield, Staffordshire border fields
What You Can Find
Post-medieval material, limited medieval finds near rural fringe manor sites
Notable Discoveries
The West Midlands metro area covers almost all productive farmland. Finds from the pre-urban landscape are occasionally surfaced during development groundworks.
Detecting Tips
Do not prioritise this county. Base yourself in adjoining Staffordshire, Warwickshire or Worcestershire for productive detecting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in West Midlands?
You can detect on private land in West Midlands 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 West Midlands?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in West Midlands 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 West Midlands?
West Midlands 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 West Midlands?
West Midlands has 479 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Post Medieval period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, buckle and strap fitting, with coin alone accounting for 208 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 West Midlands?
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