Location Guide • South West
Metal Detecting in Cornwall
A county of dramatic landscapes with deep Bronze Age and prehistoric heritage. Acidic granite soils mean metal preservation is a challenge, but river valleys and coastal areas can be productive.
Top Site Type
River valley arable
Best Detector Type
VLF single-frequency
Region
South West
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Cornwall
11,010 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Cornwall.
Cornwall Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Cornwall
Coin 2,549Flake 1,060Scraper (tool) 1,013Buckle 598Blade 387Core 382Vessel 274Pot 261
Neolithic and Post Medieval material leads Cornwall's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Cornwall 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.
Cornwall Metal Detecting Clubs
Beaches & Coastal Detecting
Cornwall 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 11,010 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Cornwall, the Neolithic period is the strongest (3,520 finds), followed by Post Medieval, Medieval. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, flake and scraper (tool), with coin alone accounting for 2,549 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Cornwall
Geology
Granite moorland (Bodmin Moor, West Penwith) has acidic soils that are poor for metal preservation. Coastal slate and shale. River valley alluvium offers better preservation.
Site Types to Target
River valley farmland, coastal fields above cliff lines, fields near ancient track ways and Bronze Age settlements
What You Can Find
Bronze Age tin and copper mining tools, Iron Age material, medieval pewter and coins in the river valleys, post-medieval maritime artefacts near the coast
Notable Discoveries
The Trewhiddle Hoard (Viking-age silver) is the most famous Cornish find. Bronze Age metalwork occasionally surfaces near mining areas.
Detecting Tips
Expect poorer preservation than in eastern England. Concentrate on river valleys where alluvial sediment protects material. Avoid the granite moors – finds are rare and acidic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Cornwall?
You can detect on private land in Cornwall 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 Cornwall?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Cornwall 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 Cornwall?
Cornwall 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 Cornwall?
Cornwall has 11,010 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Neolithic period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, flake and scraper (tool), with coin alone accounting for 2,549 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 Cornwall?
Submit your club, suggest a correction or share a great spot – help make this guide the best local resource for detectorists in Cornwall.
Submit a ListingSuggest an Edit
